GDT137: 9/1/13 - DET (80-56) VS CLE (71-64) - 1:08 p.m. ET

Tigers: RHP Justin Verlander (12-10, 3.73 ERA)

Verlander couldn't find his command in his last start, throwing 44 pitches in the first inning. He's allowed nine earned runs on 14 hits in his last two starts. This year against the Indians, he's 3-1 with a 4.32 ERA.



Indians: RHP Danny Salazar (1-2, 3.67 ERA)

Salazar hasn't won since beating Toronto in his debut on July 11. In the four outings that followed, he went 0-2 with a 4.29 ERA, without recording a quality start. Also, he notched 25 strikeouts and eight walks over 21 innings in that span.





Indians try to solve Tigers in season series finale
Young Salazar opposes Verlander, eyeing sweep for Central leaders

By Mark Emery / MLB.com | 8/31/2013 11:48 PM ET

Indians manager Terry Francona isn't looking into the past to figure out how to beat Detroit in the future.

Oh, he's aware of the Tigers' seven-game winning streak against his club and their 15-3 record against Cleveland this season. But, as he has treated every game and every opponent all year, the skipper is entirely interested in only the next game, the one in which the outcome has not yet been decided, no matter the club in the other dugout.

"Sometimes there's not a lot of explanations," Francona said before the Tigers won, 10-5, on Saturday. "You play teams so many different times of the year, it's different every time. Each game is its own entity. It doesn't make sense to concern yourself with what they did to us a month ago or two months ago. We need to find a way to beat them tonight -- that's hard enough."

The Indians and Tigers will meet for the last time in the regular season Sunday at Comerica Park. Righty Danny Salazar (1-2, 3.67 ERA) will take the ball for the Tribe, while right-hander Justin Verlander (12-10, 3.73 ERA) will pitch for Detroit.

If the Tigers pull off the sweep, they'll have racked up at least 16 wins against Cleveland in one season for just the sixth time. Including this year, they've reached at least 15 wins for the 10th time.

The job of keeping Detroit off the scoreboard falls to Salazar, a young flamethrower and Tommy John alumnus whose workload has been monitored in the season's final stretch. He last pitched in Atlanta on Tuesday, when Francona removed him after 77 pitches and four innings in which he allowed three hits and two runs.

"We're in a position with him right now where, when he has long innings, we owe it to him and to the organization to keep an eye on him," Francona said. "There's going to be a day when we can turn him loose and let that four [innings] turn into six or seven, but not right now."

Working under a watchful eye is not something with which Verlander has much experience. Nor is pitching without dominating, which the Tigers' workhorse ace has done often this season. But his 2013 struggles aside, Verlander has beaten Cleveland three times in four meetings, and that's comforting to him.

He last faced the Indians on Aug. 6, when he held the Tribe to four hits and one run, racking up seven strikeouts without issuing a walk over eight innings. It's performances like that which Verlander hasn't been able deliver with his usual regularity. And with the postseason a mere month away, he knows the time to find whatever he lost is running out.

"The deadline's there for me," he said. "I've got to figure it out, and I've got to figure it out in a hurry. It's been quite the grind, but also you look at a couple of the big games that I've had, specifically Cleveland, that's something I look at and say, 'That was a big game for us, and I went out and had probably the best start of my year in that game.' So hopefully that's something that clicks when I need it."

Indians: September callups aplenty in Cleveland
Cleveland added recently acquired outfielder Jason Kubel to its active roster Saturday, making room by optioning right-hander Carlos Carrasco to Triple-A Columbus. Carrasco should rejoin the Tribe on Tuesday, however, as part of the September roster expansion.

And he's not the only one. The Indians also announced that right-hander Preston Guilmet, left-hander Nick Hagadone, right-hander Blake Wood, infielder Jose Ramirez and catcher Kelly Shoppach will be called up to the club on Sunday. Left-hander Clay Rapada will report to Cleveland on Monday, while right-handers Josh Tomlin, Vinnie Pestano and C.C. Lee will join Carrasco on Tuesday.

"We're trying to keep an eye on Danny," Francona said. "[Corey] Kluber will be coming back, but he certainly will need to be stretched out. So maybe we can win games. Again, the games might be a little longer, because we'll have four lefties in the bullpen and we'll match up a little bit. If that's the way we need to win, that's the way we need to win."

Tigers: Coke and Perez come back to Detroit
Detroit recalled southpaw Phil Coke and infielder Hernan Perez from Triple-A Toledo on Saturday and optioned long relievers Jeremy Bonderman to Triple-A Toledo and Luke Putkonen to Class A Lakeland. Both of the latter players will be recalled in the coming days once their respective Minor League seasons end.

"Coke went down there and threw well, which does not surprise us, because his velocity has been good," team president/general manager Dave Dombrowski said. "He kept the ball down better there, which is one thing we wanted him to work on. He wasn't just throwing hard for the sake of throwing hard. Part of his problem has been the command aspect of it, and he did a better job of that at Triple-A. Hopefully, he can continue. He only had a few outings."

Perez, the Tigers' eighth-ranked prospect, is in his third stint this season with the Major League club.

"He's not a burner, but he allows [Tigers manager] Jim [Leyland] to use him as a pinch-runner, with the flexibility of position," Dombrowski said. "He can play second, play short, move some other people around. But he does give us some speed."

Worth noting
• Detroit has outscored the Indians, 120-66, this year.

• The Tribe averaged two runs per game during its five-game losing streak.


Mark Emery is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.





INJURY UPDATE:


• RHP Octavio Dotel (Right elbow inflammation, transferred from the 15-day disabled list to the 60-day disabled list on June 8, 2013.) 





To track MLB play-by-play: http://m.mlb.com/scores/


On the Internet

MLB.TV
Gameday Audio
•  SCOREBOARD
•  Official Press Pass game notes


On television

•


• Direct TV Extra Innings Schedule


On radio

• AND/OR
• XM Channel Schedule




• MON, Sep 2,:
TIGERS: (RHP Doug Fister (11-7, 3.81 ERA)) AT
Red Sox: (RHP John Lackey (8-11, 3.19 ERA))
1:35  p.m. ET (FS-D / FM 97.1)


• TUE, Sep 3,:
TIGERS: (RHP Max Scherzer (19-1, 2.90 ERA)) AT
Red Sox: (?HP TBA (TBA ERA))
7:10  p.m. ET (FS-D, MLBN / FM 97.1)


• WED, Sep 4,:
TIGERS: (RHP Rick Porcello (11-7, 4.44 ERA)) AT
Red Sox: (?HP TBA (TBA ERA))
7:10  p.m. ET (FS-D, ESPN / FM 97.1)

STARTING LINEUPS:

TIGERS

   Andy Dirks, LF
   Jose Iglesias, SS
   Torii Hunter, RF
   Prince Fielder, 1B
   Victor Martinez, DH
   Don Kelly, CF
   Omar Infante, 2B
   Alex Avila, C
   Ramon Santiago, 3B

P: Justin Verlander

INDIANS

   Michael Bourn, CF
   Nick Swisher, 1B
   Jason Kipnis, 2B
   Carlos Santana, C
   Michael Brantley, LF
   Asdrubal Cabrera, SS
   Jason Kubel, DH
   Mike Aviles, 3B
   Drew Stubbs, RF

P: Danny Salazar

CLE - Top 1st
B:4 S:2 O:0
Michael Bourn walks.

B:3 S:2 O:1
Nick Swisher pops out to catcher Alex Avila in foul territory.

With Jason Kipnis batting, Michael Bourn steals (21) 2nd base.

B:4 S:2 O:1
Jason Kipnis walks.

B:2 S:2 O:2
Carlos Santana lines out to right fielder Torii Hunter.

B:1 S:3 O:3
Michael Brantley strikes out swinging.


DET - Bot 1st
B:0 S:1 O:1
Andy Dirks pops out to shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera.

B:3 S:3 O:2
Jose Iglesias strikes out swinging.

B:2 S:0 O:3
Torii Hunter grounds out, shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera to first baseman Nick Swisher.

0-0 AFTER 1 INNING

CLE - Top 2nd
B:1 S:2 O:1
Asdrubal Cabrera flies out to left fielder Andy Dirks.

B:1 S:2 O:1
Jason Kubel singles on a ground ball to right fielder Torii Hunter.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Mike Aviles grounds into a force out, shortstop Jose Iglesias to second baseman Omar Infante. Jason Kubel out at 2nd. Mike Aviles to 1st.

B:1 S:2 O:3
Drew Stubbs grounds out softly to first baseman Prince Fielder.


DET - Bot 2nd
B:2 S:3 O:1
Prince Fielder strikes out swinging.

B:0 S:1 O:1
Victor Martinez singles on a line drive to center fielder Michael Bourn.

B:1 S:0 O:2
Don Kelly flies out to center fielder Michael Bourn.

B:0 S:2 O:3
Omar Infante flies out to center fielder Michael Bourn.

0-0 AFTER 2 INNINGS

CLE - Top 3rd
B:2 S:2 O:1
Michael Bourn grounds out, second baseman Omar Infante to first baseman Prince Fielder.

B:1 S:1 O:1
Nick Swisher singles on a ground ball to center fielder Don Kelly.

B:3 S:3 O:2
Jason Kipnis strikes out swinging. Nick Swisher steals (1) 2nd base.

B:0 S:1 O:3
Carlos Santana pops out to shortstop Jose Iglesias.


DET - Bot 3rd
B:1 S:0 O:0
Alex Avila singles on a soft line drive to right fielder Drew Stubbs.

B:0 S:0 O:1
Ramon Santiago flies out to left fielder Michael Brantley.

B:1 S:0 O:1
Andy Dirks doubles (15) on a line drive to center fielder Michael Bourn. Alex Avila to 3rd.

B:0 S:2 O:2
Jose Iglesias reaches on a fielder's choice out, third baseman Mike Aviles to catcher Carlos Santana. Alex Avila out at home. Andy Dirks to 3rd.

B:0 S:2 O:3
Torii Hunter flies out to right fielder Drew Stubbs.

0-0 AFTER 3 INNINGS

CLE - Top 4th
B:3 S:1 O:1
Michael Brantley flies out to left fielder Andy Dirks.

B:1 S:3 O:2
Asdrubal Cabrera strikes out swinging.

B:1 S:3 O:3
Jason Kubel strikes out swinging.


DET - Bot 4th
B:1 S:0 O:1
Prince Fielder grounds out softly, catcher Carlos Santana to first baseman Nick Swisher.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Victor Martinez lines out sharply, pitcher Danny Salazar to first baseman Nick Swisher.

Injury Delay.

B:0 S:3 O:3
Don Kelly strikes out swinging.

0-0 AFTER 4 INNINGS

CLE - Top 5th
B:0 S:1 O:1
Mike Aviles pops out to third baseman Ramon Santiago in foul territory.

B:2 S:2 O:1
Drew Stubbs singles on a line drive to left fielder Andy Dirks.

With Michael Bourn batting, Justin Verlander picks off Drew Stubbs at 1st on throw to Prince Fielder.

B:1 S:3 O:3
Michael Bourn strikes out swinging.


DET - Bot 5th
B:2 S:1 O:1
Omar Infante grounds out, shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera to first baseman Nick Swisher.

B:0 S:1 O:1
Alex Avila singles on a sharp ground ball to right fielder Drew Stubbs.

B:2 S:3 O:2
Ramon Santiago strikes out swinging.

B:0 S:1 O:2
Andy Dirks singles on a line drive to right fielder Drew Stubbs. Alex Avila to 3rd.

B:1 S:2 O:3
Jose Iglesias pops out to second baseman Jason Kipnis.

0-0 AFTER 5 INNINGS

CLE - Top 6th
B:2 S:2 O:1
Nick Swisher pops out to third baseman Ramon Santiago.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Jason Kipnis lines out to left fielder Andy Dirks.

B:0 S:1 O:3
Carlos Santana flies out to center fielder Don Kelly.


DET - Bot 6th
B:3 S:3 O:1
Torii Hunter strikes out swinging.

B:1 S:1 O:1
Prince Fielder singles on a ground ball to left fielder Michael Brantley.

B:2 S:0 O:3
Victor Martinez grounds into a double play, first baseman Nick Swisher to shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera to pitcher Danny Salazar. Prince Fielder out at 2nd.

0-0 AFTER 6 INNINGS

CLE - Top 7th
B:1 S:1 O:0
Michael Brantley singles on a sharp ground ball to center fielder Don Kelly.

With Asdrubal Cabrera batting, Michael Brantley steals (15) 2nd base.

B:0 S:1 O:1
Asdrubal Cabrera out on a sacrifice bunt, pitcher Justin Verlander to first baseman Prince Fielder. Michael Brantley to 3rd.

B:2 S:3 O:2
Jason Kubel strikes out swinging.

B:0 S:0 O:3
Mike Aviles grounds out, shortstop Jose Iglesias to first baseman Prince Fielder.


DET - Bot 7th
Pitching Change: Nick Hagadone replaces Danny Salazar.

Offensive Substitution: Pinch-hitter Nick Castellanos replaces Don Kelly.

B:1 S:0 O:1
Nick Castellanos flies out to right fielder Drew Stubbs.

B:1 S:1 O:1
Omar Infante singles on a soft fly ball to left fielder Michael Brantley.

B:4 S:2 O:1
Alex Avila walks. Omar Infante to 2nd.

Pitching Change: Cody Allen replaces Nick Hagadone.

Coaching visit to mound.

B:1 S:2 O:2
Ramon Santiago grounds into a force out, second baseman Jason Kipnis to shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera. Omar Infante to 3rd. Alex Avila out at 2nd. Ramon Santiago to 1st.

Coaching visit to mound.

B:2 S:3 O:3
Andy Dirks strikes out swinging.

0-0 AFTER 7 INNINGS

CLE - Top 8th
Defensive switch from left field to center field for Andy Dirks.

Nick Castellanos remains in the game as the left fielder.

Pitching Change: Bruce Rondon replaces Justin Verlander.

B:0 S:3 O:1
Drew Stubbs strikes out swinging.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Michael Bourn grounds out softly, second baseman Omar Infante to first baseman Prince Fielder.

B:4 S:1 O:2
Nick Swisher walks.

B:1 S:1 O:3
Jason Kipnis flies out to left fielder Nick Castellanos.


DET - Bot 8th
Pitching Change: Joe Smith replaces Cody Allen.

B:1 S:0 O:0
Jose Iglesias singles on a ground ball to shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera.

B:0 S:1 O:1
Torii Hunter flies out to center fielder Michael Bourn.

With Prince Fielder batting, Jose Iglesias caught stealing 2nd base, catcher Carlos Santana to shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera.

B:4 S:1 O:2
Prince Fielder walks.

B:1 S:0 O:3
Victor Martinez flies out to right fielder Drew Stubbs.

0-0 AFTER 8 INNINGS

CLE - Top 9th
Pitching Change: Joaquin Benoit replaces Bruce Rondon.

B:4 S:1 O:0
Carlos Santana walks.

Offensive Substitution: Pinch-runner Jose Ramirez replaces Carlos Santana.

B:4 S:2 O:0
Michael Brantley walks. Jose Ramirez to 2nd.

Coaching visit to mound.

B:0 S:1 O:1
Asdrubal Cabrera out on a sacrifice bunt, pitcher Joaquin Benoit to second baseman Omar Infante. Jose Ramirez to 3rd. Michael Brantley to 2nd.

B:4 S:0 O:1
Joaquin Benoit intentionally walks Jason Kubel.

Offensive Substitution: Pinch-runner Matt Carson replaces Jason Kubel.

B:2 S:2 O:1
Mike Aviles hits a grand slam (9) to left field. Jose Ramirez scores. Michael Brantley scores. Matt Carson scores.
CLE 4 - 0

Coaching visit to mound.

Pitching Change: Al Alburquerque replaces Joaquin Benoit.

B:0 S:3 O:2
Drew Stubbs called out on strikes.

B:3 S:3 O:3
Michael Bourn strikes out swinging.


DET - Bot 9th
Defensive Substitution: Yan Gomes replaces Jose Ramirez, batting 4th, playing catcher.

Matt Carson remains in the game as the designated hitter.

Pitching Change: Chris Perez replaces Joe Smith.

B:0 S:0 O:1
Nick Castellanos grounds out, shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera to first baseman Nick Swisher.

B:3 S:2 O:1
Omar Infante hits a ground-rule double (19) on a fly ball to left-center field.

B:3 S:2 O:2
Alex Avila singles on a line drive. Omar Infante out at 3rd, hit by batted ball, shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera unassisted.

B:2 S:1 O:2
Ramon Santiago singles on a ground ball to right fielder Drew Stubbs. Alex Avila to 2nd.

With Andy Dirks batting, passed ball by Yan Gomes, Alex Avila to 3rd. Ramon Santiago to 2nd.

B:1 S:2 O:3
Andy Dirks grounds out, second baseman Jason Kipnis to first baseman Nick Swisher.


TIGERS LOSE 0-4

CLICK HERE FOR BOX SCORE


W: Smith, J
L: Benoit


Game Info

IBB: Kubel (by Benoit).
Pitches-strikes: Salazar 77-54, Hagadone 11-5, Allen 9-6, Smith, J 11-5, Perez, C 21-12, Verlander 116-78, Rondon, B 14-8, Benoit 24-10, Alburquerque 9-6.
Groundouts-flyouts: Salazar 5-4, Hagadone 0-1, Allen 1-0, Smith, J 0-2, Perez, C 2-0, Verlander 5-3, Rondon, B 1-1, Benoit 1-0, Alburquerque 0-0.
Batters faced: Salazar 23, Hagadone 3, Allen 2, Smith, J 4, Perez, C 5, Verlander 26, Rondon, B 4, Benoit 5, Alburquerque 2.
Inherited runners-scored: Allen 2-0.
Umpires: HP: Gary Cederstrom. 1B: Kerwin Danley. 2B: Lance Barksdale. 3B: Vic Carapazza.
Weather: 73 degrees, cloudy.
Wind: 5 mph, In from LF.
T: 3:11.
Att: 41,557.
Venue: Comerica Park.
September 1, 2013