GDT: 9/7/11 - DET (80-62) AT CLE (70-69) - 12:05 p.m. ET

Verlander tries to bolster MVP case against Tribe

By Doug Miller / MLB.com | 9/6/2011 10:05 PM ET

Every time Justin Verlander pitches, the man with what seems like a lock on the American League Cy Young Award gains more and more momentum not only for his Detroit Tigers, who are steaming toward an AL Central crown, but for Most Valuable Player votes.

And as for the other Justin who will toe the slab Wednesday in Cleveland when the Tigers and Indians meet -- the right-hander named Masterson -- well, he hasn't been too shabby in 2011, either.

For Verlander, the Cy Young conversation has almost become an afterthought.

Heading into Wednesday, the righty leads the league in victories (21), innings pitched (223), strikeouts (224), WHIP (0.91) and has a 2.34 ERA and has thrown a no-hitter for a team with what looks like a hammer-lock on the division.

In his last start, a win over the White Sox, Verlander continued to cruise, becoming the first pitcher to win 21 games in a Tigers uniform since Jack Morris in 1986 after overpowering the team that beat him at Comerica Park coming out of the All-Star break for his last defeat. He has won his last nine starts after winning seven in a row earlier in the summer.

If Verlander notches his 22nd win of the year, it'll be the most by a Tigers pitcher since Mickey Lolich won 25 in 1971. Quite simply, this is the time of year when Verlander shines, and he says this year is no different.

"I feel good," Verlander said. "I've said it time and time again, this is the time of year when all the hard work in the offseason comes into play. This is precisely why you have that little bit of extra drive in the offseason, to do that extra set [of weights] or extra rep or run a little bit harder. It's this time of year."

Masterson, meanwhile, has a lot to be proud of in 2011 -- his breakout season as a starter.

He earned his 11th win of the year in his last start, Sept. 2 in Kansas City, and has allowed only 28 earned runs in his last 95 1/3 innings (2.64 ERA) spanning his last 15 games, 14 of which were starts.

He has gone at least five innings in 28 of 29 starts this year and has allowed two earned runs or less in 21 of his past 28.

The last win wasn't his best outing of the year. He gave up four runs on seven hits in seven innings while striking out four and walking one. But he had the big picture in mind when evaluating it afterward.

"Overall, it wasn't as good as I was hoping," Masterson said. "But, in a sense, it was. We got ourselves a victory."

Tigers: Valiant Valverde
• Closer Jose Valverde recorded his 41st save of the season Monday against Cleveland and is now one save shy of matching Todd Jones, who established the club record with 42 saves during the 2000 season.

• The Tigers have collected 10 or more hits in 13 of the club's last 20 games against Cleveland dating back to Aug. 20, 2010. Detroit is hitting .291 (206-for-709) with 95 runs scored, 36 doubles, two triples and 15 home runs during that 20-game stretch.

• Outfielder Austin Jackson is one home run shy of reaching double digits in doubles, triples, home runs and stolen bases this season. With one more home run, it would mark the 18th time a Tigers player has posted a "quadruple-double" and the first since Curtis Granderson did it in back-to-back seasons in 2007-08.

Indians: Perez heating up again
• After blowing consecutive save opportunities on July 19 at Minnesota and Aug. 5 at Texas, closer Chris Perez has saved each of his last five opportunities and 10 of his last 11 in save chances. Since Aug. 9, he has not allowed an earned run in his last 14 appearances (13 2/3 innings, five hits, nine strikeouts) while recording nine saves.

• Over the last 27 games, the Indians' bullpen owns a 2.32 ERA (100 2/3 innings, 26 earned runs), while giving up 80 hits, striking out 78 and walking 29.

• Outfielder Kosuke Fukudome has 15 RBIs in 37 games with Cleveland, one more than he had in 87 games with the Chicago Cubs this season.

Worth noting
• Tigers reliever Joaquin Benoit has a 3-0 record and 1.62 ERA (seven earned runs in 39 innings), two saves and 39 strikeouts over his last 42 outings dating back to May 20. He has limited opponents to a .190 batting average (25-for-132) during the stretch.

• Only 13 players (Fausto Carmona, Chad Durbin, Frank Herrmann, Masterson, Chris Perez, Rafael Perez, Vinnie Pestano, Tony Sipp, Lou Marson, Carlos Santana, Asdrubal Cabrera, Jack Hannahan and Shelley Duncan) on the current Indians active roster were on the Indians' Opening Day roster.

Tigers: RHP Justin Verlander (21-5, 2.34 ERA)

The Tigers have only one win in six tries at Cleveland this year, and it belongs to Verlander, whose seven innings and 10 strikeouts at Progressive Field last month marked one of his nine straight victories since July 15.


Indians: RHP Justin Masterson (11-8, 2.92 ERA)

Masterson earned the win against Kansas City on Friday after allowing four runs in seven innings. Five days earlier, he took the loss against the Royals, despite holding them to two runs over six frames.


Game Information




INJURY UPDATE:

• RHP Joel Zumaya (right elbow olecranon fracture surgery, 60-day disabled list on March 30).
• LHP Brad Thomas (left elbow inflammation, 60-day DL on May 11)



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• Thursday, September 8:
OFF DAY

• Friday, September 9:
Tigers (RHP Brad Penny (9-10, 5.13 ERA)) VS
Twins (RHP Kevin Slowey (0-4, 5.31 ERA)),
7:05 p.m. ET (FS-D HD / WXYT 97.1 FM & 1270 AM)

• Saturday, September 10:
Tigers (RHP Max Scherzer (14-8, 4.33 ERA)) VS
Twins (RHP Anthony Swarzak (3-6, 3.95 ERA)),
4:10 p.m. ET (FOX / WXYT 97.1 FM & 1270 AM)

• Sunday, September 11:
Tigers (RHP Doug Fister (7-13, 3.17 ERA)) VS
Twins (LHP Scott Diamond (1-3, 4.56 ERA)),
1:05 p.m. ET (FS-D HD / WXYT 97.1 FM & 1270 AM)

DET - Top 1st
B:0 S:3 O:1
Austin Jackson out swinging.

B:4 S:1 O:1
Will Rhymes walks.

B:0 S:3 O:2
Andy Dirks out swinging.

B:2 S:1 O:3
Miguel Cabrera grounds into a force out, fielded by second baseman Jason Donald. Will Rhymes out at 2nd.

CLE - Bot 1st
B:2 S:3 O:1
Ezequiel Carrera out swinging.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Kosuke Fukudome flies out to left fielder Andy Dirks.

B:3 S:3 O:3
Asdrubal Cabrera out swinging.

0 - 0 AFTER 1 INNING

DET - Top 2nd
B:1 S:3 O:1
Victor Martinez out swinging.

B:3 S:1 O:2
Alex Avila grounds out, second baseman Jason Donald to first baseman Shelley Duncan.

B:3 S:2 O:3
Wilson Betemit grounds out to first baseman Shelley Duncan.

CLE - Bot 2nd
B:4 S:0 O:0
Carlos Santana walks.

B:2 S:2 O:1
Jim Thome lines out to center fielder Austin Jackson.

With Shelley Duncan batting, wild pitch by Justin Verlander, Carlos Santana to 2nd.

B:2 S:2 O:1
Shelley Duncan homers (7) on a fly ball to left field. Carlos Santana scores.
CLE 2 - 0

B:2 S:2 O:2
Lonnie Chisenhall pops out to shortstop Ramon Santiago.

B:1 S:2 O:3
Jason Donald grounds out, pitcher Justin Verlander to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

CLE 2 - 0 AFTER 2 INNINGS

DET - Top 3rd
B:3 S:2 O:1
Don Kelly grounds out, first baseman Shelley Duncan to pitcher Justin Masterson.

B:4 S:1 O:1
Ramon Santiago walks.

B:0 S:3 O:2
Austin Jackson out swinging.

B:2 S:2 O:3
Will Rhymes grounds out, third baseman Lonnie Chisenhall to first baseman Shelley Duncan.

CLE - Bot 3rd
B:0 S:3 O:1
Trevor Crowe out swinging.

B:3 S:3 O:2
Ezequiel Carrera called out on .

B:0 S:1 O:3
Kosuke Fukudome flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.

CLE 2 - 0 AFTER 3 INNINGS

DET - Top 4th
B:2 S:0 O:1
Andy Dirks grounds out, second baseman Jason Donald to first baseman Shelley Duncan.

B:2 S:1 O:1
Miguel Cabrera singles on a ground ball to center fielder Ezequiel Carrera.

B:2 S:0 O:1
Victor Martinez doubles (33) on a fly ball to left fielder Trevor Crowe. Miguel Cabrera to 3rd.

B:2 S:2 O:2
Alex Avila out on a sacrifice fly to right fielder Kosuke Fukudome. Miguel Cabrera scores. Victor Martinez to 3rd.
CLE 2 - 1

B:0 S:0 O:2
Wilson Betemit doubles (21) on a line drive to right fielder Kosuke Fukudome. Victor Martinez scores.
TIED 2 - 2

B:1 S:2 O:3
Don Kelly flies out to left fielder Trevor Crowe.

CLE - Bot 4th
B:1 S:3 O:1
Asdrubal Cabrera out swinging.

B:2 S:3 O:2
Carlos Santana out swinging.

B:1 S:0 O:2
Jim Thome doubles (14) on a fly ball to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:0 S:2 O:2
Shelley Duncan homers (8) on a fly ball to left field. Jim Thome scores.
CLE 4 - 2

B:2 S:2 O:3
Lonnie Chisenhall flies out to right fielder Don Kelly.

CLE 4 - 2 AFTER 4 INNINGS

DET - Top 5th
B:1 S:0 O:0
Ramon Santiago singles on a line drive to center fielder Ezequiel Carrera.

B:3 S:1 O:1
Austin Jackson lines out to right fielder Kosuke Fukudome.

B:0 S:0 O:1
Will Rhymes hits a ground-rule double (2) on a fly ball to center field. Ramon Santiago to 3rd.

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

B:4 S:1 O:2
Miguel Cabrera walks.

Coaching visit to mound.

B:0 S:1 O:3
Victor Martinez lines out to second baseman Jason Donald.

CLE - Bot 5th
B:1 S:3 O:1
Jason Donald out swinging.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Trevor Crowe grounds out, pitcher Justin Verlander to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:3 S:1 O:3
Ezequiel Carrera grounds out, shortstop Ramon Santiago to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

CLE 4 - 2 AFTER 5 INNINGS

DET - Top 6th
B:0 S:0 O:0
Alex Avila singles on a line drive to left fielder Trevor Crowe.

B:2 S:3 O:1
Wilson Betemit called out on .

B:1 S:2 O:2
Don Kelly flies out to right fielder Kosuke Fukudome.

B:0 S:0 O:3
Ramon Santiago grounds out, second baseman Jason Donald to first baseman Shelley Duncan.

CLE - Bot 6th
B:3 S:2 O:1
Kosuke Fukudome grounds out, shortstop Ramon Santiago to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:1 S:2 O:2
Asdrubal Cabrera pops out to third baseman Wilson Betemit.

B:4 S:2 O:2
Carlos Santana walks.

With Jim Thome batting, Carlos Santana steals (5) 2nd base.

B:2 S:3 O:3
Jim Thome called out on .

CLE 4 - 2 AFTER 6 INNINGS

DET - Top 7th
B:0 S:0 O:0
Austin Jackson singles on a ground ball to right fielder Kosuke Fukudome.

B:1 S:2 O:0
Will Rhymes reaches on force attempt, fielding error by first baseman Shelley Duncan. Austin Jackson to 2nd.

B:1 S:1 O:0
Andy Dirks singles on a bunt ground ball to third baseman Lonnie Chisenhall. Austin Jackson to 3rd. Will Rhymes to 2nd.

Pitcher Change: Joe Smith replaces Justin Masterson.

Coaching visit to mound.

B:0 S:1 O:0
Miguel Cabrera singles on a ground ball to left fielder Trevor Crowe. Austin Jackson scores. Will Rhymes to 3rd. Andy Dirks to 2nd.
CLE 4 - 3

Pitcher Change: Tony Sipp replaces Joe Smith.

Coaching visit to mound.

B:0 S:0 O:0
Victor Martinez hits a grand slam (10) to left field. Will Rhymes scores. Andy Dirks scores. Miguel Cabrera scores.
7 - 4

B:2 S:2 O:1
Alex Avila flies out to left fielder Trevor Crowe.

B:4 S:2 O:1
Wilson Betemit walks.

B:0 S:3 O:2
Don Kelly out swinging.

B:2 S:2 O:3
Ramon Santiago pops out to catcher Carlos Santana in foul territory.

CLE - Bot 7th
Defensive Substitution: Danny Worth replaces second baseman Will Rhymes, batting 2nd, playing second base.

Defensive Substitution: Brandon Inge replaces third baseman Wilson Betemit, batting 7th, playing third base.

Pitcher Change: Ryan Perry replaces Justin Verlander.

B:1 S:1 O:0
Shelley Duncan singles on a ground ball to left fielder Andy Dirks.

Coaching visit to mound.

Pitcher Change: Phil Coke replaces Ryan Perry.

B:1 S:1 O:0
Lonnie Chisenhall homers (4) on a line drive to right field. Shelley Duncan scores.
7 - 6

B:1 S:0 O:0
Jason Donald singles on a soft fly ball to right fielder Don Kelly.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Trevor Crowe grounds into double play, first baseman Miguel Cabrera to shortstop Ramon Santiago to first baseman Miguel Cabrera. Jason Donald out at 2nd.

B:0 S:2 O:3
Ezequiel Carrera grounds out, shortstop Ramon Santiago to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

7 - 6 AFTER 7 INNINGS

DET - Top 8th
Pitcher Change: Rafael Perez replaces Tony Sipp.

B:1 S:0 O:1
Austin Jackson flies out to right fielder Kosuke Fukudome.

B:0 S:2 O:1
Danny Worth singles on a soft fly ball to center fielder Ezequiel Carrera.
Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Ryan Raburn replaces Andy Dirks.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Ryan Raburn flies out to right fielder Kosuke Fukudome.

Coaching visit to mound.

Pitcher Change: Vinnie Pestano replaces Rafael Perez.

B:1 S:2 O:3
Miguel Cabrera flies out to right fielder Kosuke Fukudome.

CLE - Bot 8th
Ryan Raburn remains in the game as the left fielder.

Pitcher Change: Joaquin Benoit replaces Phil Coke.

B:1 S:2 O:1
Kosuke Fukudome grounds out, second baseman Danny Worth to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

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

B:1 S:3 O:3
Carlos Santana out swinging.

7 - 6 AFTER 8 INNINGS

DET - Top 9th
B:0 S:1 O:1
Victor Martinez grounds out, second baseman Jason Donald to first baseman Shelley Duncan.

B:3 S:2 O:1
Alex Avila doubles (29) on a fly ball to left fielder Trevor Crowe.

B:2 S:1 O:2
Brandon Inge pops out to shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera.

B:2 S:1 O:2
Don Kelly triples (3) on a fly ball to right fielder Kosuke Fukudome. Alex Avila scores.
8 - 6

B:4 S:1 O:2
Ramon Santiago walks.

B:0 S:3 O:3
Austin Jackson out swinging.

CLE - Bot 9th
Pitcher Change: Jose Valverde replaces Joaquin Benoit.

B:0 S:2 O:1
Jim Thome grounds out, shortstop Ramon Santiago to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:1 S:3 O:2
Shelley Duncan out swinging.

B:0 S:1 O:3
Lonnie Chisenhall grounds out to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.