GDT156: 9/22/13 - DET (91-64) VS CWS (60-94) - 1:08 p.m. ET

Tigers: RHP Anibal Sanchez (14-7, 2.51 ERA)

Sanchez hasn't lost in 11 starts, dating back to July 24. He leads the American League with a 2.51 ERA, and used his changeup effectively in his last outing, striking out 10 over 6 1/3 innings on Wednesday.



White Sox: RHP Erik Johnson (1-2, 2.87 ERA)

Johnson tossed six scoreless innings, allowing four hits, walking two and striking out eight to earn his first Major League win vs the Twins. In his only start against Detroit he took a loss, yielding two earned runs on seven hits in 3 2/3 innings.





Tigers get last chance to clinch division at home
Detroit can win AL Central with a win and a loss by Cleveland

By Paul Casella / MLB.com | 9/22/2013 12:59 AM ET

Not only did Saturday night's massive comeback victory move the Tigers one step closer to clinching their third straight American League Central title, but it also gave Detroit one last chance to do so in front of the home fans at Comerica Park.

Detroit enters Sunday's series finale against the White Sox with a six-game lead over the Indians with seven games to play, putting their magic number to clinch the division at two.

Sunday's game presents the final chance for the Tigers to celebrate a division crown in front of their home crowd, but they will need some help to make it happen. To lock up the Central, Detroit needs to not only finish off a sweep of the White Sox in its final home game of the regular season, but the Tigers also need the last-place Astros to defeat the Indians in Cleveland.

"I definitely think it would mean something," Tigers center fielder Austin Jackson said of the possibility to clinch at home. "If it doesn't happen, we're definitely going to keep trying to clinch, no matter what. At this point, you go out there and try to win. You really can't control what Cleveland does. But it would definitely be awesome to win it in front of your home crowd."

Following Sunday's home finale, the Tigers will hit the road for three games against the Twins before ending the regular season with a three-game Interleague set in Miami against the Marlins.

It's with that in mind that the Tigers will turn to Anibal Sanchez on Sunday to square off against White Sox rookie Erik Johnson.

Sanchez has been dominant nearly all season, but especially over the last two months. The right-hander is 7-0 with a 2.07 ERA over his last 11 starts, dating back to July 24. He settled for a no-decision on Tuesday against the Mariners, but he limited Seattle to just two runs over 6 1/3 innings while recording 10 strikeouts for the second straight start.

While the Tigers look to possibly nail down a division title behind Sanchez, the White Sox will call on one of the young pitchers whom they hope will help them return to contention in the coming years.

The club's top pitching prospect, Johnson earned his first big league victory on Monday in a 12-1 rout of the Twins. Now, the 23-year-old righty will look to get his record to .500 in Sunday's series finale.

After receiving little defensive support in his first two starts -- in which he allowed six unearned runs -- Johnson twirled six shutout innings against Minnesota. Though he worked his way into and out of a couple of jams, Johnson had plenty of run support to earn career victory No. 1.

"There's things to get better at, but overall it's good," White Sox manager Robin Ventura said of Johnson's latest performance. "When you don't give up any runs and you're kind of making your way through a lineup, that's improvement. I think we've played a little bit better behind him, but there's good stuff there."

White Sox: Young players getting their chance
With the White Sox sitting in last place entering the final week of the season, Ventura has continued to take advantage recently of the opportunity to evaluate his young talent.

On Saturday, that meant giving Marcus Semien his first Major League start at shortstop and plugging five rookies -- Semien, Leury Garcia, Conor Gillaspie, Avisail Garcia and Bryan Anderson -- into the starting lineup. The process figures to continue over the club's final seven games as Ventura hopes to get an idea of how some of the organization's younger players will fit into his roster going forward.

"I think where we're at right now, we're being able to put some guys out there and see how they perform," Ventura said. "That's part of the situation we put ourselves in, but having these guys up here, putting them around in different spots and seeing how they perform, that's something going into next year."

Tigers: Cabrera leaves early Saturday, day to day
Miguel Cabrera's status for Sunday's game is up in the air after the slugger departed Saturday's game early with soreness in his groin area.

Cabrera was replaced in the field to start the 10th inning after he had driven in a run and later came around to score as part of Detroit's furious six-run, ninth-inning rally. The club said Saturday night that Cabrera's status was day to day and it was not immediately clear whether or not he would be in the lineup for Sunday's series finale.

Worth noting
• The Tigers are just 18-21 in one-run games this season, making Detroit the only team out of the 10 currently in position to make the playoffs with a losing record in such contests.

• The Tigers are 12-6 against the White Sox this season, marking the fourth straight year Detroit has won the head-to-head series. Overall, the Tigers are 47-25 against Chicago since the start of the 2010 season, including 25-10 at Comerica Park.


Paul Casella is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @paul_casella. 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.)





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• MON, Sep 23:
TIGERS: (RHP Justin Verlander (13-12, 3.66 ERA)) AT
TWINS (RHP Mike Pelfrey (5-13, 5.34 ERA))
8:10  p.m. ET (FS-D / FM 97.1)


• TUE, Sep 24:
TIGERS: (RHP Doug Fister (13-9, 3.71 ERA)) AT
TWINS (LHP Scott Diamond (6-11, 5.54 ERA))
8:10  p.m. ET (FS-D / FM 97.1)


• WED, Sep 25:
TIGERS: (RHP Max Scherzer (20-3, 3.00 ERA)) AT
TWINS (RHP Kevin Correia (9-12, 4.29 ERA))
8:10  p.m. ET (FS-D / FM 97.1)

STARTING LINEUPS:

TIGERS

   Austin Jackson, CF
   Andy Dirks, LF
   Prince Fielder, 1B
   Victor Martinez, DH
   Don Kelly, 3B
   Alex Avila, C
   Omar Infante, 2B
   Ramon Santiago, SS
   Nick Castellanos, LF

P: Anibal Sanchez

WHITE SOX

   Alejandro De Aza, LF
   Alexei Ramirez, SS
   Conor Gillaspie, 1B
   Avisail Garcia, RF
   Jordan Danks, CF
   Jeff Keppinger, DH
   Gordon Beckham, 2B
   Josh Phegley, C
   Marcus Semien, 3B

P: Erik Johnson

Chicago - Top of 1st
Anibal Sanchez pitching for Detroit

1.Alejandro De Aza strikes out swinging.

2.Alexei Ramirez singles on a ground ball to second baseman Omar Infante, deflected by pitcher Anibal Sanchez.

3.Conor Gillaspie grounds into a force out, shortstop Ramon Santiago to second baseman Omar Infante. Alexei Ramirez out at 2nd. Conor Gillaspie to 1st.

With Avisail Garcia batting, wild pitch by Anibal Sanchez, Conor Gillaspie to 2nd.

4.Avisail Garcia singles on a ground ball to center fielder Austin Jackson. Conor Gillaspie scores.
CWS 1 - 0

5.Jordan Danks grounds out, second baseman Omar Infante to first baseman Prince Fielder.


Detroit - Bottom of 1st
Erik Johnson pitching for Chicago

1.Austin Jackson grounds out, second baseman Gordon Beckham to first baseman Conor Gillaspie.

2.Andy Dirks singles on a fly ball to center fielder Jordan Danks, deflected by left fielder Alejandro De Aza.

3.Prince Fielder grounds into a force out, fielded by second baseman Gordon Beckham. Andy Dirks out at 2nd. Prince Fielder to 1st.

4.Victor Martinez flies out to center fielder Jordan Danks.

CWS 1 - 0 AFTER 1 INNING

Chicago - Top of 2nd
Anibal Sanchez pitching for Detroit

1.Jeff Keppinger flies out to right fielder Andy Dirks.

2.Gordon Beckham doubles (21) on a line drive to left fielder Nick Castellanos.

3.Josh Phegley grounds out, third baseman Don Kelly to first baseman Prince Fielder.

4.Marcus Semien called out on strikes.


Detroit - Bottom of 2nd
Erik Johnson pitching for Chicago

1.Don Kelly grounds out to first baseman Conor Gillaspie.

2.Alex Avila doubles (14) on a line drive to right fielder Avisail Garcia.

3.Omar Infante flies out to left fielder Alejandro De Aza.

4.Ramon Santiago flies out to right fielder Avisail Garcia.

CWS 1 - 0 AFTER 2 INNINGS

Chicago - Top of 3rd
Anibal Sanchez pitching for Detroit

1.Alejandro De Aza strikes out swinging.

2.Alexei Ramirez grounds out, shortstop Ramon Santiago to first baseman Prince Fielder.

3.Conor Gillaspie strikes out swinging.


Detroit - Bottom of 3rd
Erik Johnson pitching for Chicago

1.Nick Castellanos grounds out, shortstop Alexei Ramirez to first baseman Conor Gillaspie.

2.Austin Jackson strikes out swinging.

3.Andy Dirks grounds out, second baseman Gordon Beckham to first baseman Conor Gillaspie.

CWS 1 - 0 AFTER 3 INNINGS

Chicago - Top of 4th
Anibal Sanchez pitching for Detroit

1.Avisail Garcia grounds out, shortstop Ramon Santiago to first baseman Prince Fielder.

2.Jordan Danks walks.

3.Jeff Keppinger singles on a line drive to center fielder Austin Jackson. Jordan Danks to 2nd.

4.Gordon Beckham flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson. Jordan Danks to 3rd.

5.Josh Phegley strikes out swinging.



Detroit - Bottom of 4th
Erik Johnson pitching for Chicago

1.Prince Fielder homers (25) on a fly ball to right field.
TIED 1 - 1

2.Victor Martinez singles on a ground ball to right fielder Avisail Garcia.

3.Don Kelly pops out to shortstop Alexei Ramirez.

4.Alex Avila singles on a ground ball to right fielder Avisail Garcia. Victor Martinez to 3rd.

Coaching visit to mound.

5.Omar Infante lines out to third baseman Marcus Semien.

6.Ramon Santiago grounds out to first baseman Conor Gillaspie.

TIED 1 - 1 AFTER 4 INNINGS

Chicago - Top of 5th
Anibal Sanchez pitching for Detroit

1.Marcus Semien singles on a line drive to right fielder Andy Dirks.

With Alejandro De Aza batting, Marcus Semien steals (2) 2nd base.

2.Alejandro De Aza walks.

3.Alexei Ramirez flies out to right fielder Andy Dirks.

4.Conor Gillaspie triples (3) on a line drive to center fielder Austin Jackson. Marcus Semien scores. Alejandro De Aza scores.
CWS 3 - 1


5.Avisail Garcia singles on a pop up to shortstop Ramon Santiago, deflected by third baseman Don Kelly. Conor Gillaspie scores. Avisail Garcia to 2nd on the throw.
CWS 4 - 1

6.Jordan Danks strikes out swinging.

7.Jeff Keppinger singles on a ground ball to shortstop Ramon Santiago. Avisail Garcia to 3rd.

With Gordon Beckham batting, wild pitch by Anibal Sanchez, Jeff Keppinger to 2nd.

8.Gordon Beckham grounds out, second baseman Omar Infante to first baseman Prince Fielder.



Detroit - Bottom of 5th
Erik Johnson pitching for Chicago

1.Nick Castellanos singles on a ground ball to shortstop Alexei Ramirez.

2.Austin Jackson grounds into a double play, shortstop Alexei Ramirez to first baseman Conor Gillaspie. Nick Castellanos out at 2nd.

3.Andy Dirks pops out to third baseman Marcus Semien.

CWS 4 - 1 AFTER 5 INNINGS

Chicago - Top of 6th

Pitching Change: Evan Reed replaces Anibal Sanchez.

1.Josh Phegley flies out to right fielder Andy Dirks.

2.Marcus Semien grounds out, second baseman Omar Infante to first baseman Prince Fielder.

3.Alejandro De Aza strikes out swinging.


Detroit - Bottom of 6th
Erik Johnson pitching for Chicago

1.Prince Fielder lines out to right fielder Avisail Garcia.

2.Victor Martinez flies out to left fielder Alejandro De Aza.

3.Don Kelly grounds out, second baseman Gordon Beckham to first baseman Conor Gillaspie.

CWS 4 - 1 AFTER 6 INNINGS

Chicago - Top of 7th
Evan Reed pitching for Detroit

1.Alexei Ramirez grounds out, third baseman Don Kelly to first baseman Prince Fielder.

2.Conor Gillaspie walks.

3.Avisail Garcia singles on a ground ball to right fielder Andy Dirks. Conor Gillaspie to 2nd.

4.Jordan Danks walks. Conor Gillaspie to 3rd. Avisail Garcia to 2nd.

Coaching visit to mound.

5.Jeff Keppinger doubles (13) on a line drive to right fielder Andy Dirks. Conor Gillaspie scores. Avisail Garcia scores. Jordan Danks to 3rd.
CWS 6 - 1

6.Gordon Beckham lines out to second baseman Omar Infante.

7.Josh Phegley grounds out, shortstop Ramon Santiago to first baseman Prince Fielder.


Detroit - Bottom of 7th
Erik Johnson pitching for Chicago

1.Alex Avila singles on a line drive to right fielder Avisail Garcia.

2.Omar Infante lines out to left fielder Alejandro De Aza.

3.Ramon Santiago singles on a line drive to right fielder Avisail Garcia. Alex Avila to 2nd.

4.Nick Castellanos singles on a ground ball to left fielder Alejandro De Aza. Alex Avila to 3rd. Ramon Santiago to 2nd.

Coaching visit to mound.

5.Austin Jackson out on a sacrifice fly to right fielder Avisail Garcia. Alex Avila scores.
CWS 6 - 2

Coaching visit to mound.

Pitching Change: Donnie Veal replaces Erik Johnson.

Offensive Substitution: Pinch-hitter Torii Hunter replaces Andy Dirks.

6.Torii Hunter lines out to second baseman Gordon Beckham.

CWS 6 - 2 AFTER 7 INNINGS

Chicago - Top of 8th
Evan Reed pitching for Detroit

Torii Hunter remains in the game as the right fielder.

1.Marcus Semien strikes out swinging.

2.Alejandro De Aza singles on a line drive to center fielder Austin Jackson.

With Alexei Ramirez batting, Alejandro De Aza steals (20) 2nd base.

3.Alexei Ramirez lines out to center fielder Austin Jackson.

Coaching visit to mound.

Pitching Change: Darin Downs replaces Evan Reed.

4.Conor Gillaspie grounds out to first baseman Prince Fielder.


Detroit - Bottom of 8th
Donnie Veal pitching for Chicago

1.Prince Fielder grounds out to first baseman Conor Gillaspie.

2.Victor Martinez grounds out sharply, pitcher Donnie Veal to first baseman Conor Gillaspie.

Offensive Substitution: Pinch-hitter Hernan Perez replaces Don Kelly.

3.Hernan Perez flies out to center fielder Jordan Danks.

CWS 6 - 2 AFTER 8 INNINGS

Chicago - Top of 9th
Darin Downs pitching for Detroit

Hernan Perez remains in the game as the third baseman.

1.Avisail Garcia grounds out, third baseman Hernan Perez to first baseman Prince Fielder.

2.Jordan Danks reaches on a fielding error by second baseman Omar Infante.

3.Jeff Keppinger flies out to right fielder Torii Hunter.

4.Gordon Beckham flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.


Detroit - Bottom of 9th
Donnie Veal pitching for Chicago


Offensive Substitution: Pinch-hitter Brayan Pena replaces Alex Avila.

1.Brayan Pena doubles (11) on a fly ball to center fielder Jordan Danks.

Coaching visit to mound.

Pitching Change: Matt Lindstrom replaces Donnie Veal.

2.Omar Infante singles on a line drive to center fielder Jordan Danks. Brayan Pena to 3rd.

3.Ramon Santiago grounds into a force out, shortstop Alexei Ramirez to second baseman Gordon Beckham. Brayan Pena scores. Omar Infante out at 2nd. Ramon Santiago to 1st.
CWS 6 - 3

4.Nick Castellanos grounds out softly, pitcher Matt Lindstrom to first baseman Conor Gillaspie. Ramon Santiago to 2nd.

5.Austin Jackson strikes out swinging.


TIGERS LOSE 3-6

CLICK HERE FOR BOX SCORE


W: Johnson (2-2)
L: Sanchez (14-8)


GAME INFO:

Veal pitched to 1 batter in the 9th.

WP: Sanchez, An 2.
Pitches-strikes: Johnson, E 97-61, Veal 14-10, Lindstrom 15-11, Sanchez, An 99-60, Reed, E 45-25, Downs, D 16-12.
Groundouts-flyouts: Johnson, E 8-5, Veal 2-1, Lindstrom 2-0, Sanchez, An 6-3, Reed, E 3-1, Downs, D 3-2.
Batters faced: Johnson, E 28, Veal 5, Lindstrom 4, Sanchez, An 25, Reed, E 13, Downs, D 5.
Inherited runners-scored: Veal 2-0, Lindstrom 1-1, Downs, D 1-0.
Umpires: HP: Laz Diaz. 1B: Mark Wegner. 2B: Tim Timmons. 3B: Mike Muchlinski.
Weather: 59 degrees, sunny.
Wind: 9 mph, L to R.
T: 3:08.
Att: 41,749.
Venue: Comerica Park.
September 22, 2013