GDT: 9/24/11 - DET (91-66) VS BAL (66-91) - 7:05 p.m. ET

Verlander after 25th win in last regular-season start

By Adam Berry / MLB.com | 9/23/2011 11:05 PM ET

Justin Verlander has never been one to focus on personal milestones. Nor does the Tigers' ace worry about setting goals, knowing he would either let down once they're accomplished or get down on himself for not reaching them.

That's why the top candidate for this year's American League Cy Young Award isn't getting too worked up about the possibility of recording his 25th win in his 34th start of the season Saturday against Jeremy Guthrie and the Orioles -- a feat that hasn't been accomplished since Bob Welch won 27 for the 1990 A's.

Since then, only John Smoltz (1996 Braves) and Randy Johnson (2002 D-backs) have won 24 games, each needing 35 starts to reach that mark. But more than 20 years have gone by without a 25-game winner in the Majors.

"It's more important for trying to get [home-field advantage]. Obviously, we're battling with Texas right now," Verlander said, referring to the Tigers' race against the Rangers for the AL's second seed. "It's not anything I looked at as, 'Hey, it would be cool to win 25.' It was always 20. It's specifically why I don't set goals, like I've always talked about. You can always let down a little bit if you achieved what you wanted to. As opposed to the sky's the limit, you never know what you can achieve, so keep pushing."

Verlander's lofty win total, of course, is also a product of his run support (5.53 per start), but there is no doubt the right-hander has put up incredible numbers all across the board. He also leads the AL in the other two "pitching Triple Crown" categories with a 2.29 ERA and 244 strikeouts (nine per nine innings, ranking third in the AL).

And while Detroit manager Jim Leyland has drawn the line in the sand regarding Verlander's playoff usage, saying he won't pitch on three days' rest in the AL Division Series, he is perfectly willing to let his ace do whatever it takes, within reason, to reach this milestone.

"I'll give him every benefit of the doubt to win his 25th game, with the expense of not getting him injured. I'm not getting him injured," Leyland said. "He will have an extra day going into the playoffs, and he has an extra day this time. So, that's a help for [Saturday]. He will get every opportunity to win 25, but not at the expense of me doing something stupid."

The potential 25-win season is particularly impressive given the number of starts he has made. He has 24 victories in 33 starts. According to STATS Inc., no pitcher since the end of World War II has won more games in as few starts. Mickey Lolich, for example, is the last Tiger to rack up 25 wins. He did it in 1971, but he made 45 starts that season.

Only three pitchers can match what Verlander has done so far, with 24 wins in 33 outings: Mel Parnell (1949 Red Sox), Bobby Shantz (1952 Athletics) and Roger Clemens (1986 Red Sox).

On top of that, Verlander will enter Saturday's game having won 12 starts in a row -- a club record since at least 1919. He is the first pitcher to do that in the Majors since Johan Santana in 2004, and only five pitchers in Major League history have longer streaks since 1919, the most recent being Ellis Kinder's 13 straight wins in 1949.

Orioles: Guerrero two hits from Dominican record
After going 2-for-4 with a double Friday night, Vladimir Guerrero is just two hits away from becoming Major League Baseball's all-time hits leader from the Dominican Republic.

Asked what it would mean to pass Julio Franco, who played until he was 49, the 36-year-old Guerrero quipped, "I'm getting old." His coaches and teammates have far more complimentary things to say about the potential Hall of Famer's accomplishments, though.

"We are trying to give it the honor it's due, whether it's home or on the road," manager Buck Showalter said. "I think our guys realize how lucky they are to be around to see it. When you think about some of the guys he's passed on the all-time hits record, period -- I think Manny [Ramirez is] behind him, and I just think about how proud I know [former Expos manager] Felipe [Alou] is of him. I remember seeing him for the first time in Montreal and going, 'I think it's time to change leagues.'"

• With 29 home runs on the year, shortstop J.J. Hardy's next roundtripper will give the Orioles two players with 30 or more homers in the same season for the fifth time in franchise history. Mark Reynolds leads the team with 36 on the year. Hardy already has the third-most homers by a shortstop in Orioles history, behind only Cal Ripken Jr. (34 in 1991) and Miguel Tejada (34 in 2004).

Tigers: Cabrera achieves rare feat
Miguel Cabrera's two-run homer in the first inning Friday night gave him 100 RBIs on the year. Cabrera has driven in at least 100 runs in eight straight seasons, and he is the first Tigers player with more than 100 RBIs, runs scored and walks since Norm Cash and Rocky Colavito both did it in 1961.

Cabrera also raised his batting average to .336 on Friday night, five points behind Adrian Gonzalez for the Major League lead.

• Reliever Joaquin Benoit struggled early on this season after a career year with the Rays, but he has been lights-out the last four months. The right-hander struck out all three batters he faced Friday night, giving him 48 strikeouts in 45 innings (48 appearances) since May 20. During that stretch, Benoit has posted a 1.40 ERA and limited opponents to a .172 average.

Benoit has also not allowed a run since Aug. 3, striking out 24 batters in 20 2/3 scoreless innings and lowering his ERA to 3.02 on the year.

Worth noting
• With two games left against the Orioles and a three-game series against the Indians starting Monday, the Tigers are 47-22 vs. the AL Central, 19-15 against the AL East, 18-18 against the AL West and 7-11 vs. the NL this season.

• The Orioles are 8-3 over their last 11 games. Baltimore's final 17 games will have been against playoff teams or contenders, and the club has gone 8-4 thus far in that stretch.

Tigers: RHP Justin Verlander (24-5, 2.29 ERA)

With Verlander opening the Division Series next Friday, he'll make his final appearance of the regular season trying to become baseball's first 25-game winner since Bob Welch in 1990 and first AL Triple Crown winner since Johan Santana in 2006.


Orioles: RHP Jeremy Guthrie (9-17, 4.28 ERA)

Guthrie picked up his third consecutive win with Monday afternoon's outing against the Red Sox. The ace of the staff, Guthrie wasn't at his best, but he did enough, holding Boston to four runs over six innings.


Game Information



INJURY UPDATE:

• OF Brennan Boesch (right thumb surgery, 15-day disabled list on September 9).
• 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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• Sunday, September 25:
Tigers (RHP Brad Penny (10-11, 5.31 ERA)) VS
Orioles (RHP Rick VandenHurk (0-0, 8.00 ERA)),
1:05 p.m. ET (FS-D HD / WXYT 97.1 FM & 1270 AM)

• Monday, September 26:
Tigers (RHP Doug Fister (7-1, 2.02 ERA)) VS
Indians (RHP Ubaldo Jimenez (4-3, 4.62 ERA)),
7:05 p.m. ET (FS-D HD / WXYT 97.1 FM & 1270 AM)

• Tuesday, September 27:
Tigers (RHP Max Scherzer (14-9, 4.37 ERA)) VS
Indians (RHP Jeanmar Gomez (5-2, 3.52 ERA)),
7:05 p.m. ET (FS-D HD / WXYT 97.1 FM & 1270 AM)

• Wednesday, September 28:
Tigers (RHP Rick Porcello (14-9, 4.76 ERA)) VS
Indians (?HP TBA (--- ERA)),
7:05 p.m. ET (FS-D HD / WXYT 97.1 FM & 1270 AM)

STARTING LINEUP:

ORIOLES
Matt Angle, LF
J.J. Hardy, SS
Nick Markakis, RF
Vladimir Guerrero, DH
Matt Wieters, C
Adam Jones, CF
Mark Reynolds, 1B
Chris Davis, 3B
Robert Andino, 2B

P: Jeremy Guthrie


TIGERS
Austin Jackson, CF
Magglio Ordonez, RF
Delmon Young, LF
Miguel Cabrera, 1B
Victor Martinez, DH
Alex Avila, C
Jhonny Peralta, SS
Ryan Raburn, 2B
Don Kelly, 3B

P: Justin Verlander

BAL - Top 1st
B:2 S:1 O:0
Matt Angle homers (1) on a fly ball to right field.
BAL 1 - 0

B:3 S:3 O:1
J. Hardy called out on .

B:1 S:1 O:2
Nick Markakis flies out to left fielder Delmon Young.

B:2 S:1 O:2
Vladimir Guerrero singles on a soft line drive to left fielder Delmon Young.

B:3 S:2 O:3
Matt Wieters grounds out, second baseman Ryan Raburn to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

DET - Bot 1st
B:1 S:2 O:1
Austin Jackson grounds out, third baseman Chris Davis to first baseman Mark Reynolds.

B:0 S:3 O:2
Magglio Ordonez out swinging.

B:1 S:0 O:3
Delmon Young lines out to third baseman Chris Davis.

BAL 1 - 0 AFTER 1 INNING

BAL - Top 2nd
B:2 S:1 O:1
Adam Jones flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:0 S:3 O:2
Mark Reynolds out swinging.

B:1 S:2 O:2
Chris Davis singles on a ground ball to right fielder Magglio Ordonez.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Robert Andino singles on a ground ball to right fielder Magglio Ordonez. Chris Davis to 2nd.

B:4 S:2 O:2
Matt Angle walks. Chris Davis to 3rd. Robert Andino to 2nd.

B:1 S:2 O:2
J. Hardy singles on a sharp ground ball to left fielder Delmon Young. Chris Davis scores. Robert Andino scores. Matt Angle to 2nd.
BAL 3 - 0

B:2 S:2 O:2
Nick Markakis singles on a sharp ground ball to right fielder Magglio Ordonez. Matt Angle scores. J. Hardy to 2nd.
BAL 4 - 0

Coaching visit to mound.

B:1 S:1 O:3
Vladimir Guerrero grounds out, second baseman Ryan Raburn to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

DET - Bot 2nd
B:3 S:3 O:1
Miguel Cabrera called out on .

B:1 S:2 O:2
Victor Martinez flies out to left fielder Matt Angle.

B:4 S:1 O:2
Alex Avila walks.

B:2 S:2 O:3
Jhonny Peralta grounds into a force out, shortstop J. Hardy to second baseman Robert Andino. Alex Avila out at 2nd.

BAL 4 - 0 AFTER 2 INNINGS

BAL - Top 3rd
B:1 S:0 O:1
Matt Wieters flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Adam Jones flies out to right fielder Magglio Ordonez.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Mark Reynolds homers (37) on a fly ball to left center field.
BAL 5 - 0

B:0 S:1 O:2
Chris Davis reaches on throwing error by second baseman Ryan Raburn.

B:2 S:3 O:3
Robert Andino out swinging.

DET - Bot 3rd
B:4 S:2 O:0
Ryan Raburn walks.

B:3 S:2 O:1
Don Kelly grounds out, shortstop J. Hardy to first baseman Mark Reynolds. Ryan Raburn to 2nd.

B:0 S:0 O:1
Austin Jackson singles on a ground ball to center fielder Adam Jones. Ryan Raburn scores. Austin Jackson to 2nd on the throw.
5 1

B:0 S:2 O:2
Magglio Ordonez grounds out, shortstop J. Hardy to first baseman Mark Reynolds. Austin Jackson to 3rd.

B:3 S:2 O:3
Delmon Young lines out to second baseman Robert Andino.

BAL 5 - 1 AFTER 3 INNINGS

BAL - Top 4th
B:3 S:2 O:1
Matt Angle grounds out, pitcher Justin Verlander to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:1 S:0 O:2
J. Hardy flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:2 S:2 O:3
Nick Markakis flies out to left fielder Delmon Young.

DET - Bot 4th
B:0 S:0 O:0
Miguel Cabrera singles on a ground ball to left fielder Matt Angle.

B:2 S:2 O:0
Victor Martinez hits a ground-rule double (36) on a fly ball to right field. Miguel Cabrera to 3rd.

B:0 S:2 O:1
Alex Avila grounds out, second baseman Robert Andino to first baseman Mark Reynolds. Miguel Cabrera scores. Victor Martinez to 3rd.
BAL 5 - 2

B:2 S:0 O:2
Jhonny Peralta out on a sacrifice fly to center fielder Adam Jones. Victor Martinez scores.
BAL 5 - 3

B:1 S:0 O:3
Ryan Raburn flies out to center fielder Adam Jones.

BAL 5 - 3 AFTER 4 INNINGS

BAL - Top 5th
B:0 S:0 O:1
Vladimir Guerrero grounds out, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:1 S:2 O:2
Matt Wieters flies out to left fielder Delmon Young.

B:0 S:0 O:3
Adam Jones grounds out, third baseman Don Kelly to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

DET - Bot 5th
B:2 S:2 O:1
Don Kelly pops out to third baseman Chris Davis in foul territory.

B:1 S:0 O:2
Austin Jackson flies out to right fielder Nick Markakis.

B:2 S:0 O:3
Magglio Ordonez flies out to left fielder Matt Angle.

BAL 5 - 3 AFTER 5 INNINGS

BAL - Top 6th
B:1 S:3 O:1
Mark Reynolds out swinging.

B:1 S:3 O:2
Chris Davis out swinging.

B:0 S:1 O:3
Robert Andino grounds out, first baseman Miguel Cabrera to pitcher Justin Verlander.

DET - Bot 6th
B:2 S:1 O:1
Delmon Young pops out to shortstop J. Hardy.

B:0 S:0 O:1
Miguel Cabrera homers (28) on a line drive to left field.
BAL 5 - 4

B:2 S:1 O:1
Victor Martinez singles on a sharp line drive to right fielder Nick Markakis.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Alex Avila flies out to center fielder Adam Jones.

B:2 S:2 O:2
Jhonny Peralta singles on a ground ball to center fielder Adam Jones. Victor Martinez to 2nd.

Coaching visit to mound.

B:1 S:0 O:3
Ryan Raburn grounds out, pitcher Jeremy Guthrie to first baseman Mark Reynolds.

BAL 5 - 4 AFTER 6 INNINGS

BAL - Top 7th
B:1 S:3 O:1
Matt Angle out swinging.

B:3 S:2 O:2
J. Hardy grounds out, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:3 S:1 O:2
Nick Markakis singles on a ground ball to left fielder Delmon Young.

B:1 S:1 O:3
Vladimir Guerrero grounds out, pitcher Justin Verlander to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

DET - Bot 7th
B:1 S:2 O:0
Don Kelly singles on a soft line drive to left fielder Matt Angle.

Coaching visit to mound.

Pitcher Change: Pedro Strop replaces Jeremy Guthrie.

B:0 S:0 O:1
Austin Jackson out on a sacrifice bunt, pitcher Pedro Strop to first baseman Mark Reynolds. Don Kelly to 2nd.

B:0 S:2 O:2
Magglio Ordonez grounds out, shortstop J. Hardy to first baseman Mark Reynolds. Don Kelly to 3rd.

B:1 S:2 O:3
Delmon Young grounds out, shortstop J. Hardy to first baseman Mark Reynolds.

BAL 5 - 4 AFTER 7 INNINGS

BAL - Top 8th
Pitcher Change: Al Alburquerque replaces Justin Verlander.

B:1 S:1 O:0
Matt Wieters singles on a ground ball to right fielder Magglio Ordonez.

B:1 S:1 O:1
Adam Jones grounds into a force out, third baseman Don Kelly to second baseman Ryan Raburn. Matt Wieters out at 2nd. Adam Jones to 1st.

B:2 S:3 O:3
Mark Reynolds out swinging and Adam Jones caught stealing 2nd, catcher Alex Avila to second baseman Ryan Raburn.

DET - Bot 8th
B:0 S:1 O:0
Miguel Cabrera singles on a line drive to center fielder Adam Jones.

B:1 S:1 O:1
Victor Martinez grounds into a force out, shortstop J. Hardy to second baseman Robert Andino. Miguel Cabrera out at 2nd. Victor Martinez to 1st.

Offensive Substitution: Pinch runner Will Rhymes replaces Victor Martinez.

B:3 S:2 O:2
Alex Avila grounds out, shortstop J. Hardy to first baseman Mark Reynolds. Will Rhymes to 2nd.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Jhonny Peralta singles on a ground ball to left fielder Matt Angle. Will Rhymes scores. Jhonny Peralta to 2nd on the throw.
TIED 5 - 5

Coaching visit to mound.

B:3 S:1 O:3
Ryan Raburn pops out to first baseman Mark Reynolds in foul territory.

TIED 5 - 5 AFTER 8 INNINGS

BAL - Top 9th
Will Rhymes remains in the game as the designated hitter.

Pitcher Change: Daniel Schlereth replaces Al Alburquerque.

B:0 S:1 O:0
Chris Davis singles on a line drive to right fielder Magglio Ordonez.

Offensive Substitution: Pinch runner Kyle Hudson replaces Chris Davis.

B:2 S:3 O:1
Robert Andino out swinging. Wild pitch by pitcher Daniel Schlereth. Kyle Hudson to 3rd.

B:1 S:0 O:2
Matt Angle out on a sacrifice bunt, first baseman Miguel Cabrera to second baseman Ryan Raburn. Kyle Hudson scores.
BAL 6 - 5

B:1 S:1 O:3
J. Hardy grounds out, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

DET - Bot 9th
Defensive Substitution: Josh Bell replaces Kyle Hudson, batting 8th, playing third base.

Pitcher Change: Kevin Gregg replaces Pedro Strop.

B:0 S:2 O:1
Don Kelly pops out to third baseman Josh Bell in foul territory.

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

B:3 S:2 O:2
Magglio Ordonez singles on a line drive to center fielder Adam Jones.

Offensive Substitution: Pinch runner Danny Worth replaces Magglio Ordonez.

B:2 S:2 O:3
Delmon Young lines out to center fielder Adam Jones.