2013 TIGERS' SPRING TRAINING Grapefruit League Schedule

2013 ST RECORD (W-L-T): 19-14-2
Exhibition games: (W-1, L-0)

2013 Detroit Tigers MLB Sortable Schedule Link

To track MLB play-by-play, to help post GDT outcomes: http://m.mlb.com/scores/

February/March Games - ST Master Sch. =
Grapefruit League 2013 Master Schedule
http://springtrainingonline.com/features/master-schedule.htm

Click on game score to see boxscore.

97.1 FM OR 1270 AM - spring training games will be called on WXYT by Dan Dickerson and Jim Price

MLBN= MLB NETWORK TBA
MLB.TV= MLB.COM INTERNET FEED

This is a tentative schedule, under development, subject to change.

FRI, Feb 22 - DET at ATL (Disney World), WIN 2-1
SAT, Feb 23 - TOR at DET (Lakeland), LOSE 3-10
SUN, Feb. 24 - PHI at DET (Lakeland), TIED 5-5 AFTER 10 INN
MON, Feb 25 - DET at PHI (Clearwater), WIN 10-1
TUE, Feb 26 - DET at HOU (SS) (Kissimmee), LOSE 4-9
WED, Feb 27 - ATL at DET (Lakeland), LOSE 3-5
THU, Feb 28 - DET at TB (Port Charlotte) WIN 11-2

FRI, March 1 - DET at NYM (Port St. Lucie), LOSE 2-6
SAT, March 2 - PIT at DET (SS) (Lakeland), WIN 4-1
SAT, March 2 - DET (SS) at NYY (Tampa), LOSE 3-10
SUN, March 3 - DET at ATL (Disney World), LOSE 1-6
MON, March 4 - HOU at DET (Lakeland), WIN 8-5
TUE, March 5 - --OPEN--
WED, March 6 - TOR (ss) at DET (Lakeland), WIN 4-1
THU, March 7 - DET at ATL* (Disney World), WIN 9-2
FRI, March 8 - NYM at DET (Lakeland), WIN 3-2
SAT, March 9 - DET at TOR (Dunedin), LOSE 2-4
SUN, March 10 - WAS at DET (Lakeland), WIN 2-1
MON, March 11 - NYM at DET (Lakeland), LOSE 0-11
TUE, March 12 - DET at PHI (Clearwater), WIN 10-6
WED, March 13 - Florida Southern at DET, WIN 11-0
THU, March 14 - DET at NYM (Port St. Lucie), WIN 9-1
FRI, March 15 - TOR at DET (Lakeland), WIN 4-2
SAT, March 16 - DET at STL (Jupiter), WIN 3-0
SUN, March 17 - WAS at DET (Lakeland), LOSE 10-12
MON,, March 18 - DET at WAS (Viera), WIN 5-1
TUE, March 19 - TB at DET (Lakeland) LOSE 5-11
WED, March 20 - --OPEN--
THU, March 21 - HOU at DET (Lakeland) LOSE 2-7
FRI, March 22 - DET at WAS (Viera), WIN 4-3
SAT, March 23 - NYY at DET (Lakeland) WIN 10-6
SUN, March 24 - DET at NYM (ss) (Port St. Lucie), WIN 9-4
MON, March 25 - DET at MIA (at Jupiter), WIN 6-3
TUE, March 26 - ATL at DET (Lakeland) LOSE 5-6
WED, March 27 - PHI at DET (Lakeland) LOSE 1-4
THU, March 28 - DET at HOU (SS) (Kissimmee), LOSE 4-11
FRI, March 29 - TB at DET (Lakeland) WIN 8-3
SAT, March 30 - DET at TB (Tropicana Field) TIED 3-3

All dates, times and teams are tentative and subject to change. All times ET.

"B GAMES" are exhibition games and do not count in the team W/L record.

* - Night Game


Tickets for the 2013 spring exhibition season will be priced at three separate levels, which include Navy, Orange and White levels. Navy level includes games on February 24, March 19, March 23, March 27 and March 29. Orange level includes games on February 27, March 2, March 8, March 10, March 11, March 15, March 17 and March 26. White level includes games on February 23, March 4, March 6, March 13 and March 21.

Tigers Press Release

11/28/2012 12:20 PM ET
Tigers Announce 2013 Spring Training Schedule
77th Season at TigerTown in Lakeland Highlighted by Visits from Yankees and Nationals

DETROIT – The Detroit Tigers today announced the club’s exhibition game schedule for 2013 Spring Training in Lakeland, FL.

Next spring will mark the Tigers 77th season at TigerTown in Lakeland, extending the longest-standing relationship between a major league team and a current Spring Training host city. The 2013 spring season marks the club’s 48th consecutive season of exhibition play at Joker Marchant Stadium.

The Tigers will begin the exhibition schedule on the road against the Atlanta Braves on Friday, February 22. The club opens the home portion of the Grapefruit League schedule against the Toronto Blue Jays at Joker Marchant Stadium on Saturday, February 23rd at 1:05 p.m.

The schedule is highlighted by a visit from the American League East Division Champion New York Yankees on March 23 and two visits from the National League East Division Champion Washington Nationals on March 10 and March 17. The schedule also features multiple visits from the Atlanta Braves (February 27 and March 26) and Tampa Bay Rays (March 19 and 29) and two additional visits from the Toronto Blue Jays (March 6 and March 15).

Joker Marchant Stadium will host an additional game on Tuesday, March 5 as Detroit Tigers minor league players face the baseball team from Western Michigan University at 1:05 p.m. All tickets will be general admission and priced at $5 per ticket. All proceeds will benefit the Detroit Tigers Foundation of Florida.

Tickets for the 2013 spring exhibition season will be priced at three separate levels, which include Navy, Orange and White levels. Navy level includes games on February 24, March 19, March 23, March 27 and March 29. Orange level includes games on February 27, March 2, March 8, March 10, March 11, March 15, March 17 and March 26. White level includes games on February 23, March 4, March 6, March 13 and March 21.

Full season ticket packages for the 2013 Tigers Spring Training exhibition season are on sale now at the Joker Marchant Stadium ticket office, via phone at (863) 686-8075 or by visiting www.tigers.com. Fans may also now purchase season ticket plans of five-or-more games by calling (863) 686-8075. Individual game tickets go on sale beginning at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 12, and can be ordered by visiting the ticket office at Joker Marchant Stadium, calling 866-66-TIGER (8-4437) or visiting www.tigers.com. For additional ticket information and special group pricing, call the Lakeland office at 863-686-8075.

February 6, 2013 at 2:50 pm
All but one of Tigers' 36 spring training games will be on the radio

By The Detroit News


Detroit — Tigers fans craving baseball will have no shortage of opportunities to catch a game this spring.

The Tigers announced Wednesday that 35 of the 36 spring training games will be called on WXYT by Dan Dickerson and Jim Price, with the lone exception being the road portion of a split-squad game against the Yankees on March 2.

Also, four games will be televised on Fox Sports Detroit — March 4 against the Astros, March 19 against the Rays, March 21 against the Astros and March 25 against the Marlins.

The March 27 game against the Phillies will be aired on ESPN.

MLB Network also could broadcast some games, but those will be announced at a later date.

From The Detroit News: http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20130206/SPORTS0104/302060442#ixzz2KAN8Fpos

Tigers announce expanded spring broadcast schedule

By Adam Berry / MLB.com | 2/6/2013 4:45 P.M. ET

On Wednesday, the Tigers announced their Spring Training radio and TV broadcast schedule, an expanded slate that features 35 games on WXYT, four on FOX Sports Detroit and one nationally televised game on ESPN.

Only one of Detroit's scheduled Spring Training games won't be on the radio, the road portion of a March 2 split-squad game against the Yankees. The other 35 games will air on 97.1 FM The Ticket, WXYT 1270 AM and Tigers Radio Network affiliates. The club said the increase in radio broadcasts comes "in response to the tremendous demand for Tigers baseball."

FOX Sports Detroit, meanwhile, will air four Grapefruit League games in March. The first three will be broadcast from Joker Marchant Stadium in Lakeland, Fla.: March 4 against the Astros, March 19 against the Rays and March 21 against the Astros. FOX Sports Detroit's final spring broadcast will be March 25, when the Tigers face the Marlins at Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter, Fla.

Detroit will also make one appearance on national TV, as ESPN will show the Tigers-Phillies matchup on March 27 at Joker Marchant Stadium. Additional games to air on MLB Network will be unveiled at a later date.

The Tigers' Grapefruit League schedule begins Feb. 22 against the Braves at Champion Stadium at ESPN Wide World of Sports in Kissimmee, Fla., and their first home game of the spring is Feb. 23 against the Blue Jays. Pitchers and catchers report to TigerTown on Tuesday.

Adam Berry is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter at @adamdberry. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

Porcello tosses two hitless innings in spring opener
Tigers' offense quiet until eighth-inning triples by Collins, Kobernus

By Mark Bowman / MLB.com | 2/22/2013 2:47 P.M. ET

Box score

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Opening their Grapefruit slates on Friday afternoon at Champion Stadium, the Tigers and the Braves dueled on the mound en route to a 2-1 Detroit win.

Back-to-back triples by Tyler Collins and Jeff Kobernus to lead off the eighth were the Tigers' first hits and gave them a 1-0 lead. Kobernus scored on Hernan Perez's sacrifice fly to left to make it 2-0.

Joey Terdoslavich homered in the ninth for the Braves' only run.

Braves starting pitcher Tim Hudson cruised through a perfect seven-pitch first inning and then worked out of a jam to complete his two-inning debut in scoreless fashion. Hudson began the second inning by walking Prince Fielder and hitting Victor Martinez with a pitch. He then got Jhonny Peralta to ground into a double play before Brayan Pena ended the inning with a groundout.

Tigers starting pitcher Rick Porcello proved to be a little more efficient, as he did not issue a walk during his two scoreless innings. Porcello struck out Freddie Freeman to begin the second inning and then completed his perfect debut with a strikeout of Dan Uggla.

Both teams remained hitless until Freeman opened the bottom of the fifth with a single to right against right-handed reliever Luis Marte. After Freeman was retired on a hit-and-run attempt, Uggla added an infield single off Marte.

Martinez's fourth-inning fly out to center field was the only ball the Tigers hit out of the infield during the first five innings. Detroit was unable to capitalize after Braves closer Craig Kimbrel walked the first two batters he faced in the third inning.

Braves up next: Paul Maholm will make his Grapefruit League debut when the Braves host the Yankees at Champion Stadium on Saturday afternoon at 1:05 p.m. ET. Maholm is scheduled to complete two innings. The left-hander went 4-5 with a 3.54 ERA in the 11 starts after the Braves acquired him from the Cubs just before last year's Trade Deadline.

Tigers up next: The Tigers start off the home portion of their Grapefruit League schedule on Saturday with a 1:05 p.m. ET game against the Blue Jays at Joker Marchant Stadium. Manager Jim Leyland said he plans on starting his regular-season lineup behind Anibal Sanchez. The game will be broadcast in Detroit on 97.1 FM and online at MLB Gameday Audio.

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

Prince, Cabrera go deep in Grapefruit Loss
Sanchez tosses two shutout innings, strikes out one vs. Blue Jays

By Jason Beck / MLB.com | 2/23/2013 11:49 A.M. ET

Box Score

LAKELAND, Fla. -- A day after Tigers starters went hitless in the Grapefruit League opener, they had a slugfest with the Blue Jays on Saturday with the wind blowing out at Joker Marchant Stadium. Though Prince Fielder and Miguel Cabrera both hit mammoth home runs early to power Detroit in front, Toronto topped it with a Lance Zawadzki grand slam and a Ryan Goins three-run homer for a 10-3 win.

Though the Blue Jays kept some of their big bats at home, their travel squad more than made up for it. All of Toronto's runs came off Detroit's bullpen after two scoreless innings from Tigers starter Anibal Sanchez.

Fielder's drive off Blue Jays starter Brandon Morrow set the tone for the afternoon, soaring deep to right field and bouncing off the top of the indoor batting cage building before settling in the players parking lot. The two-run shot was one of three hits off Morrow, who struck out Andy Dirks with a runner on to escape further damage in his lone inning.

Two innings later, Cabrera greeted Steve Delabar with a drive to left-center field that hit the top of the berm.

After Brett Lawrie's two-run single propelled a three-run third inning off former Blue Jay Shawn Hill, Zawadzki's pinch grand slam in the sixth off Ryan Robowski put Toronto up for good. Goins powered a drive to right off Tigers relief prospect Melvin Mercedes.

Tigers closer candidate Bruce Rondon made his first outing of the spring with a scoreless fifth inning.

Up next for Tigers: Justin Verlander will make his first outing of the spring Sunday afternoon opposite Roy Halladay in a matchup of Cy Young award winners as the Tigers host the Phillies at 1:05 p.m. ET at Joker Marchant Stadium. Octavio Dotel, Al Alburquerque, Joaquin Benoit and Brayan Villarreal are among the relievers scheduled to pitch. The game will be broadcast on 97.1 FM and MLB Gameday Audio.

V-Mart's bat shows no signs of rust

By Jason Beck / MLB.com | 2/24/2013 4:15 P.M. ET

BOX SCORE

LAKELAND, Fla. -- A pair of hitters on the comeback trail stole the limelight from an expected pitchers' duel on Sunday at Joker Marchant Stadium. While Ryan Howard doubled twice with an RBI, including a drive to the right-field fence against Justin Verlander, Victor Martinez continued his triumphant return with a three-hit performance, including a home run off Roy Halladay, as the Tigers and Phillies dueled to a 5-5 draw.

The Verlander-Halladay pairing was expected to make for a quick afternoon, and their easy opening innings certainly suggested it would. Once Howard smacked a line drive to the fence leading off the second inning, however, the offensive onslaught was on.

Freddy Galvis' RBI double completed a three-hit second inning off Verlander to open the scoring, and Halladay struck out two of his first four batters with a nasty selection of pitches. Once he fell behind Martinez, though, he served up a pitch that the Tigers' designated hitter sent deep to right-center field for his first home run since the 2011 American League Championship Series.

Martinez added a fourth-inning single through the right side before flaring a single into right field leading off the sixth. He improved to 4-for-7 this spring.

"This is only my third game, but I think I've been really surprised," said Martinez. "The big thing is to pick up the ball out of the pitcher's hand."

"It was good," Halladay said. "The hardest part of every Spring Training is slowing yourself down. You're anxious. But I felt good. I felt like that was the biggest thing. Five or six pitches I rushed. I rushed a cutter and a couple changeups. I felt good. I'm happy with where things are. It's just a matter of getting repetitions in and getting myself under control."

Howard ripped a line drive into the right-field corner off left-hander Kyle Lobstein in a two-run third inning before Kevin Frandsen homered off Lobstein in the fourth. Alex Avila's sacrifice fly started Detroit's rally in the bottom of the inning ahead of Omar Infante's two-run double.

Prince Fielder's RBI single in the fifth gave the Tigers a lead to protect, but Dominic Brown jumped an Al Alburquerque fastball for a game-tying home run in the eighth.

Up next: The Tigers and Phillies complete their home-and-home set on Monday with a televised 1:05 p.m. ET contest at Bright House Networks Field in Clearwater. Cliff Lee will make his first start of the spring opposite fellow Arkansan left-hander Drew Smyly, who will begin his quest to win a rotation spot for the second consecutive spring. MLB Network and MLB.TV will have the live broadcast, while AM 1270 will have the radio call in Detroit.

Jason Beck is a reporter for MLB.com. Read Beck's Blog and follow him on Twitter @beckjason. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

Cabrera smacks second spring homer in win

By Todd Zolecki / MLB.com | 2/25/2013 3:53 P.M. ET


Box score

CLEARWATER, Fla. -- The Tigers rocked Phillies closer Jonathan Papelbon for six runs in the fifth inning in an easy 10-1 victory Monday at Bright House Field.

Papelbon, who was making his Grapefruit League debut, allowed a single to Jeff Kobernus to start the fifth. Nick Castellanos followed with a two-run home run to right-center field to give the Tigers a 2-1 lead. Miguel Cabrera later crushed a three-run home run to left field to make it 6-1.

The Phillies scored their first run in the fourth when Ryan Howard's sacrifice fly scored Yuniesky Betancourt.

Phillies left-hander Cliff Lee allowed one walk and struck out two in his Grapefruit League debut. Tigers left-hander Drew Smyly also threw two scoreless innings, allowing only a single to Howard in the second inning.

"I feel good," Lee said. "You still have to build up endurance and the ability to throw 100-plus pitches. ... That's what Spring Training is designed for, a starting pitcher to build up innings."

Tigers roster hopeful Kevin Russo, who replaced Cabrera at third base in the fifth inning, added a solo home run in the ninth.

Up next: The Tigers stay on the road to face an Astros split squad Tuesday at 1:05 p.m. ET at Osceola County Stadium in Kissimmee, Fla.

Todd Zolecki is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

Fister solid in first spring start for Tigers

By Brian McTaggart / MLB.com | 2/26/2013 4:02 P.M. ET

BOX SCORE

KISSIMMEE, Fla. -- The split-squad Astros got a two-run homer from Jason Castro -- his second in as many games -- and a solo shot from Brett Wallace to pull away from the Tigers for a 9-4 win on Tuesday afternoon at rainy Osceola County Stadium.

Leading, 4-3, in the fifth, the Astros batted around against Tigers pitcher Duane Below, getting an RBI single by Wallace, a two-run double by Robbie Grossman and a two-run triple by Trevor Crowe, which pushed the lead to 9-3.

Tigers starter Doug Fister, who made his first start of the spring, gave up two runs in two innings on Castro's homer with two outs in the second. Erik Bedard, who made his Astros debut, worked two innings and allowed two hits and one run, which was unearned.

"I came out throwing strikes, and we had some good defense and they made some good plays," Bedard said.

Jhonny Peralta doubled and scored in the second inning to get the Tigers going, but Castro followed a Rick Ankiel double with an opposite-field homer in the second inning. Brayan Pena's two-run homer in the fourth put Detroit ahead, 4-3, but Wallace tied it with a homer and Ankiel scored on a fielding error by Peralta at short.

Up next for Tigers: Detroit returns to Lakeland, Fla., to host the Braves on Wednesday in a 1:05 p.m. ET matchup at Joker Marchant Stadium. Rick Porcello will face Atlanta for the second time in six days, followed by Joaquin Benoit, Octavio Dotel, Brayan Villarreal, Kyle Lobstein, Jose Ortega and Phil Coke. Likewise, Tim Hudson will make his second start against Detroit. The game will be broadcast on Gameday Audio.

Brian McTaggart is a reporter for MLB.com and writes an MLBlog, Tag's Lines. Follow @brianmctaggart on Twitter. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

Prince, Kelly each go deep in loss to Braves
In second start, Porcello settles down after yielding three runs in first inning

By Jason Beck / MLB.com | 2/27/2013 3:51 P.M. ET

BOX SCORE

LAKELAND, Fla. -- While Prince Fielder and Juan Francisco traded mammoth home runs to the depths of right field at Joker Marchant Stadium, the Tigers couldn't overcome the early lead the Braves built off Rick Porcello en route to a 5-3 win Wednesday afternoon.

Six days after the same two teams opened Grapefruit League play with a pitching duel, Francisco's drive over the scoreboard in right dispelled any notion of a repeat performance. The three-run home run, Francisco's first homer of the spring, also kept Porcello from escaping what had been a two-on, no-out jam, which seemed possible after he struck out Dan Uggla on a curveball.

Porcello gave up three runs on four hits over two innings in his second outing of the spring.

Braves starter Tim Hudson retired all but two of the 11 batters he faced, but the Tigers' duo of Miguel Cabrera and Fielder got him for two runs. Cabrera's ground-ball single through the middle extended the first inning for Fielder, who jumped on an 0-1 fastball and hit a towering drive toward the light towers. The ball landed toward the back of the indoor batting cages, the second time in six days Fielder has homered there.

Chris Johnson padded Atlanta's lead with a third-inning sacrifice fly off Kyle Lobstein before Joey Terdoslavich doubled in a run in the sixth off Joaquin Benoit. Don Kelly cut into Detroit's deficit with a sixth-inning solo shot off lefty Yohan Flande.

Up next for the Tigers: Austin Jackson and Miguel Cabrera are among the regulars scheduled to make the long bus ride to Port Charlotte to face the Rays at 1:05 p.m. ET on Thursday. Anibal Sanchez will make his second and final start for Detroit before he leaves for the World Baseball Classic.

Jason Beck is a reporter for MLB.com. Read Beck's Blog and follow him on Twitter @beckjason. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

Jackson's homer, Castellanos' big day top Rays

By Bill Chastain / MLB.com | 2/28/2013 4:00 P.M. ET

BOX SCORE

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. -- The Tigers defeated the Rays, 11-2, Thursday afternoon at Charlotte Sports Park.

The Tigers brought to Port Charlotte a lineup well-stocked with regulars. Miguel Cabrera could be counted among those taking the bus from Lakeland to Port Charlotte and the reigning American League Most Valuable Player put his team on the board in the first with an RBI double off Rays starter Roberto Hernandez.

Hernandez, who is competing for the No. 5 spot in the Rays' rotation, allowed one run on two hits and two walks while striking out one in 2 1/3 innings. The veteran right-hander threw 33 pitches of which 21 were strikes.

"I feel good today," Hernandez said. "I keep the ball down, I throw strikes and my body feels good."

Anibal Sanchez made his second start of the spring for the Tigers and his final start before joining Venezuela for the World Baseball Classic.

The right-hander allowed no runs on four hits and he struck out one. He has not allowed a run this spring.

Matt Moore, who will be the Rays' No. 2 or No. 3 starter, pitched 1 1/3 innings allowing two runs on three hits, including a run-scoring single to Nick Castellanos in the fourth.

Sam Fuld had a two-run triple off Ryan Robowski that tied the score at 2, but Jhonny Peralta grounded out against Kirby Yates in the fifth to drive home a run to put the Tigers up, 3-2.

Austin Jackson hit his first home run of the spring in the sixth when he connected off Jamey Wright with Castellanos aboard.

The Tigers put the game out of reach with a five-run ninth inning. Dixon Machado hit a three-run double to give Detroit the 11-2 lead.

Up next: The Tigers' Port-to-Port road trip takes them to Florida's other coast for a 1:10 p.m. ET game against the Mets at Tradition Field in Port St. Lucie. Justin Verlander will make his second start of the spring, while closing candidate Bruce Rondon prepares for his third appearance in relief. Left-hander Jonathon Niese is scheduled to start for the Mets. MLB Network will have the broadcast live at 1 p.m.

Bill Chastain is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

Verlander throws three perfect innings vs. Mets
Right-hander strikes out three, has allowed one run in five spring innings

By Anthony DiComo / MLB.com | 3/1/2013 3:42 P.M. ET

BOX SCORE

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- While pitchers tend to be ahead of hitters during this early part of spring. Justin Verlander seems to be ahead of everyone.

Verlander was dominant Friday in his second Grapefruit League outing, firing three perfect innings in a 6-2 loss the Mets. New York starter Jon Niese nearly matched him with three scoreless innings of his own at Tradition Field.

In his second outing of the Grapefruit League season, Verlander struck out three, walked none and allowed no hits. He has given up one run over five spring innings, with five strikeouts and no walks.

"It was a good day or me," Verlander said. "I felt like, for the most part, my fastball location was good if not better than what it should be right now. I felt like it was coming out pretty free and easy for this time of year."

It was not until Verlander left the game the Mets broke through offensively, scoring one run on second baseman Jeff Kobernus' throwing error in the fourth inning, then another on Marlon Byrd's RBI single off Luke Putkonen. Jordany Valdespin and Ike Davis also added hits in the rally.

After Avisail Garcia tied the game with a two-run homer off Gonzalez Germen in the fifth, Germen loaded the bases with one out but induced a double play to preserve the 2-2 tie.

The Mets then reclaimed the lead on David Wright's RBI single off Bruce Rondon in the bottom of the inning, in what was Wright's final game before departing for the World Baseball Classic. Justin Turner added a two-run single in the sixth to make it 5-2.

Niese was making his Grapefruit League debut against the Tigers, after pitching two innings in the Mets' exhibition against the University of Michigan last weekend. He is tentatively slated to start Game 3 of the regular season for the Mets, but would become the leading candidate to pitch Opening Day if Johan Santana is not healthy.

"I felt good," Niese said of his Friday performance. "For the most part, all my pitches felt good."

Up next: Detroit will break off into a split-squad on Saturday, with Drew Smyly headlining the group at home taking on Jeanmar Gomez and the Pirates. Relievers Joaquin Benoit, Octavio Dotel and Phil Coke are also expected to pitch in Lakeland, Fla. Shawn Hill, Kyle Lobstein and Trevor Bell will head to Tampa to take on Ivan Nova and the Yankees. Both games are at 1:05 p.m. ET, and the home game against the Pirates will be broadcast on 97.1 FM in Detroit.

Anthony DiComo is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @AnthonyDicomo. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

Tigers top Bucs with Miggy's homer, Smyly's start

By Jason Beck / MLB.com | 3/2/2013 4:00 P.M. ET

BOX SCORE

LAKELAND, Fla. -- Miguel Cabrera bid farewell to camp on his way to the World Baseball Classic with a two-run homer, supporting Drew Smyly's three perfect innings, and Detroit's split-squad home team took a 4-1 win over the Pirates on Saturday at Joker Marchant Stadium.

Cabrera said earlier in the week that he was trying to round his game into shape quickly so that he would be ready when he left for Venezuela's camp. Saturday's effort was a pretty good sign, from his third home run of the spring to a pair of diving stops at third base.

With winds gusting toward right field, Cabrera's opposite-field power wasn't likely to be contained. Once he skied a first-pitch offering from Pirates starter Jeanmar Gomez, the ball kept carrying toward the back of the Tigers' bullpen beyond right field.

The homer was one of two runs scored by Austin Jackson, who led off the game with a single before Rule 5 pick Jeff Kobernus tripled him in with a drive to the fence in left-center field. Cabrera plated Kobernus with a groundout to short.

Gomez gave up four runs on three hits and three walks in three innings.

Smyly continued his bid for the fifth spot in the Tigers' rotation by retiring the Pirates' lineup in order, though the Pirates did not bring such stars as Andrew McCutchen or Neil Walker on the trip. Smyly struck out two and changed speeds effectively along the way to 47 pitches, 29 of them for strikes.

Starling Marte broke up Detroit's perfect outing with a well-placed bunt rolling down the third-base line leading off the fourth inning. The ball left Cabrera, pitcher Octavio Dotel and catcher Alex Avila all watching, and Marte advanced to first base without a throw.

Up next: Max Scherzer will make his first Spring Training start of the year on Sunday as the Tigers hit the road for a 1:05 p.m. ET game against the Braves at Disney's Wide World of Sports complex, their second visit already this spring. Doug Fister is also scheduled to pitch, along with closer candidate Bruce Rondon. Mike Minor is scheduled to start for the Braves. The game will be broadcast on AM 1270 in Detroit and MLB.com Gameday Audio.

Jason Beck is a reporter for MLB.com. Read Beck's Blog and follow him on Twitter @beckjason. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

Tigers no match for Yanks in split-squad game

By Bryan Hoch / MLB.com | 3/2/2013 4:00 P.M. ET

BOX SCORE

TAMPA, Fla. -- Chris Stewart hit a two-run homer, Ivan Nova turned in a sharp first start of the year and the Yankees snapped their seven-game Spring Training skid, posting a 10-3 victory over the Tigers on Saturday at George M. Steinbrenner Field.

Stewart, who is competing with Francisco Cervelli to serve as the Opening Day catcher, cleared the left-field fence with a line-drive shot in the fourth inning off Detroit reliever Kyle Lobstein.

Saying that he has been focusing on attacking the strike zone, Nova threw two scoreless innings, limiting Detroit to one hit with a strikeout. He threw 27 pitches, 22 for strikes.

Tigers starter Shawn Hill permitted two runs (one earned) over 2 2/3 innings in his third appearance and first start of the spring. He struck out two in a 54-pitch outing, tossing 30 strikes.

The Yankees scored both runs against Hill in the third inning. Brett Gardner -- who has hit in all six of his spring games -- singled, stole second and scored on a Robinson Cano single.

Left-hander Kenny Faulk issued a bases-loaded walk to Travis Hafner that forced home New York's second run.

David Aardsma allowed a run to Detroit in the third inning, when Danny Worth doubled and scored on Omar Infante's sacrifice fly.

The Tigers tied the score against Clay Rapada in the fourth, as Don Kelly tripled and scored on a Kevin Russo sac fly.

The Yanks added three runs in the sixth off Detroit's Michael Morrison. Tyler Austin worked a bases-loaded walk, Corban Joseph collected an RBI groundout and a wild pitch permitted Adonis Garcia to score.

Up next: Max Scherzer will make his first Spring Training start of the year on Sunday as the Tigers hit the road for a 1:05 p.m. ET game against the Braves at Disney's Wide World of Sports complex, their second visit already this spring. Doug Fister is also scheduled to pitch, along with closer candidate Bruce Rondon. Mike Minor is scheduled to start for the Braves. The game will be broadcast on AM 1270 in Detroit and MLB.com Gameday Audio.

Bryan Hoch is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @bryanhoch and read his MLBlog, Bombers Beat. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

Scherzer shows perfect spring form against Braves

By Mark Bowman / MLB.com | 3/3/2013 3:45 P.M. ET

BOX SCORE

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- B.J. Upton and Dan Uggla both hit their first home runs of the Grapefruit League season, as the Braves cruised to a 6-1 win over the Tigers at Champion Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Upton's two-run home run -- off of Doug Fister in the fourth inning -- added to the success he has experienced during the first week of the Grapefruit League season. The veteran center fielder, who was Atlanta's key offseason free-agent addition, is batting .368 (7-for-19) with three doubles and a home run through his first seven games.

Uggla ended his early Spring Training frustrations when he drilled a sixth inning solo home run off of Tigers left-hander Duane Below. The Braves' second baseman had struck out in seven of his previous 11 at-bats. He has just three hits through his first 21 at-bats this year.

After Tigers starting pitcher Max Scherzer proved perfect through two innings of work, Fister was charged with three earned runs and five hits in two innings. He surrendered a pair of doubles to Juan Francisco and a Freddie Freeman triple that preceded Upton's two-run home run in the fourth inning.

Francisco opened the third with a broken-bat double to shallow right field. This set the stage Ramiro Pena to open the scoring with a one-out RBI double to deep center field.

Braves starter Mike Minor allowed one hit and issued a walk in three scoreless innings. Minor recorded three strikeouts and recorded six fly-ball outs.

The Tigers' only run came courtesy of Aaron Westlake's solo home run off of Juan Jamie in the seventh inning.

Up next for the Tigers: The Tigers will have their first local telecast of the spring, hosting the Astros on Monday at 1:05 p.m. ET, which will be broadcast back home on Fox Sports Detroit and on MLB.TV. Rick Porcello will make his third start of the spring, followed by Luke Putkonen, Joaquin Benoit, Duane Below and Al Alburquerque. Jarred Cosart is scheduled to start for Houston.

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

Porcello impresses with strong outing against Astros

By Jason Beck / MLB.com | 3/4/2013 4:55 P.M. ET

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LAKELAND, Fla. -- Rick Porcello gave the bevy of scouts at Joker Marchant Stadium something to watch and the Tigers something to build on with four scoreless innings and six strikeouts before Detroit's bullpen eventually held off a late Astros charge, in an 8-5 win on Monday.

Not only did Porcello become the first Tigers starter to post four innings of work, but he cruised through his final pitches -- retiring six of his final seven batters. Half of his strikeouts came on pitches other than his fastball and sinker, including two strikeouts of ex-Tiger Carlos Pena and a called third strike on a curveball to Justin Maxwell.

More than a half-dozen scouts were in attendance. Some of them were there to do their regular Spring Training reports, not specifically on Porcello, but the Tigers' surplus of starters and Porcello's presence in trade rumors for most of the offseason was bound to draw a following. His effort didn't disappoint.

Alex Avila's two-run single in the opening inning put the Tigers on top for good, but two bases-loaded double plays kept them from breaking the game open. Once Maxwell's two-run homer powered a four-run sixth inning, the Astros were back in it.

Matt Tuiasosopo rebuilt a cushion by doubling in Tyler Collins and scoring on Avila's sacrifice fly, setting up Brayan Villarreal for the save.

Avila, who hadn't had a base hit since the first game of the spring, rebounded well, while Torii Hunter went 2-for-4. Rick Ankiel went 1-for-2 to improve to .467 on the spring.

Up next for the Tigers: The Tigers have an off-day on Tuesday before getting back to work on Wednesday with a 1:05 p.m. ET game against the Blue Jays at Joker Marchant Stadium. Justin Verlander will make his third start of the spring opposite Brandon Morrow, who will face Detroit for the second time this spring. Victor Martinez will return to action for the first time since last Friday.

Jason Beck is a reporter for MLB.com. Read Beck's Blog and follow him on Twitter @beckjason. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

Verlander goes four frames, Hunter homers in win

By Jason Beck / MLB.com | 3/6/2013 3:54 P.M. ET

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LAKELAND, Fla. -- Justin Verlander went back to work and delivered four innings of one-hit ball before Bryan Holaday's two-run double and Torii Hunter's first home run of the spring powered the Tigers to a 4-1 win over the Blue Jays on Wednesday at Joker Marchant Stadium.

On a day when a cloudless sky and a gusty wind blowing from left to right made most fly balls an adventure, the conditions had different effects on Verlander and Jays starter Brandon Morrow. Adam Lind's second-inning walk and fourth-inning double comprised the only damage off Verlander, who struck out three of the first eight batters he faced before finishing up with ground balls and infield pop-ups.

"I was just thinking about making my pitches," Verlander said, "but after the first inning, after I saw a pop-up in the outfield with Toronto, I was like, 'All right guys, I'll try not to give up any fly balls today.'"

The pop-up adventures cost Morrow a first-inning run without giving up a hit. Morrow lost a 1-2 pitch and hit Hunter with one out before a Victor Martinez walk and an errant throw from catcher Josh Thole sent Hunter to third. Morrow struck out Prince Fielder and got a pop-up from Andy Dirks, but shortstop Lance Zawadzki could not handle the ball and ended up with a run-scoring error.

Austin Jackson's leadoff double in the third was the only hit off Morrow, who walked one and struck out three.

"I commanded [the curveball] pretty well today," Morrow said. "Just one that I spiked that I would have liked to have back, but other than that I've felt good with it. I've really felt pretty good with everything. I think the fact that I was able to do the same thing in spring last year, use those [curveballs] a lot, and then the way I used them during the season, it was a lot quicker this year to get the feel for it."

Holaday, catching Verlander in a game for the first time in his young career, added another feat with his fourth-inning line drive off Brett Cecil into the left-center-field gap, scoring Dirks and Danny Worth. Hunter led off the fifth with a drive off Michael Schwimer.

Jim Negrych homered leading off the ninth to put the Jays on the scoreboard.

Up next for Tigers: The Tigers are going to Disney World for the third time in 13 days, this time under the lights for a 6:05 p.m. ET game against the Braves at Champion Stadium. Drew Smyly will make his third start of the spring in his quest to win the fifth starter job, followed by Kyle Lobstein, Joaquin Benoit, Brayan Villarreal, Duane Below and Trevor Bell.

Jason Beck is a reporter for MLB.com. Read Beck's Blog and follow him on Twitter @beckjason. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

Prince chips in early behind sharp Smyly in rout

By Mark Bowman / MLB.com | 3/7/2013 9:21 P.M. ET

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LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Prince Fielder provided an early lead with a fourth-inning single and the Tigers added to that advantage with a five-run seventh inning that allowed them to cruise to a 9-2 win over the Braves at Champion Stadium on Thursday night.

Nick Castellanos' two-run double fueled the seventh-inning eruption against Anthony Varvaro, who was charged with five runs and seven hits in one inning. Ramon Cabrera, Danny Worth and Bryan Holaday all contributed RBI singles in the decisive inning.

Braves starting pitcher Julio Teheran limited the Tigers to one run and recorded five strikeouts in four innings. Teheran retired nine of the first 10 batters he faced before allowing Brennan Boesch to open the fourth inning with a single up the middle. Following a balk, Fielder scored Boesch with an opposite-field single that beat Atlanta's defensive shift.

Worth tallied three hits after replacing Fielder in the bottom of the fifth inning. The 27-year-old infielder was left stranded after opening the sixth inning with a double off left-handed reliever Luis Avilan. His eighth-inning double off Aaron Northcraft scored Tyler Collins, who contributed two hits to Detroit's 18-hit attack.

Tigers starting pitcher Drew Smyly extended his recent success by limiting the Braves to two hits -- both singles -- in four scoreless innings. Smyly struck out four of the first six batters he faced and issued just one walk. The left-hander, who is bidding for the fifth spot in Detroit's rotation, has allowed three hits and totaled nine scoreless innings during the exhibition season.

Juan Francisco's opposite-field home run off Brayan Villarreal in the seventh inning accounted for Atlanta's first run.

Up next: Bruce Rondon will try to pick up his bid for the closer's job Friday, with his first outing since being sidelined to work on his mechanics this week. He'll pitch an inning of relief as the Tigers host the Mets in a 1:05 p.m. ET game at Joker Marchant Stadium. Max Scherzer will make his second start of the spring. Listen to the play-by-play live on Gameday Audio and on AM 1270 in Detroit.

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

Collins' homer puts cap on Tigers' strong pitching
Scherzer, Putkonen combine for 10 K's; Rondon fans two, earns win

By Jason Beck / MLB.com | 3/8/2013 4:07 P.M. ET

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LAKELAND, Fla. -- Jordany Valdespin's seventh-inning home run off Jose Ortega provided some punch to a pitching duel, but Tyler Collins' tiebreaking home run in the bottom of the eighth sent the Tigers to their fourth straight victory with a 3-2 win over the Mets on Friday at Joker Marchant Stadium.

On a day when Max Scherzer and Luke Putkonen combined for 10 strikeouts over the first five innings, Dillon Gee's four innings of one-run ball along with scoreless innings from LaTroy Hawkins and Bobby Parnell kept the game close. Valdespin broke a 1-1 tie by sending a line drive off the right-field scoreboard for his second homer of the spring.

Until then, Valdespin's feat on the day was being the only Met to put the ball in play against Scherzer, who struck out six of the 11 batters he faced to go with three walks over 2 2/3 hitless innings. Though Scherzer's fastball command wavered, he induced 10 swings and misses from Mets hitters with a mix of changeups, sliders and a curveball he has been tinkering with this spring.

Putkonen, who's trying to make the team as a long reliever, hit three Mets but struck out four others.

After Wilfredo Tovar's two-out error at shortstop allowed the Tigers to tie the game again in the bottom of the seventh, closer candidate Bruce Rondon stranded two runners with a fly out to fall in line for the win once Collins jumped a pitch from Cory Mazzoni and sent it to the batting cages beyond right field for his first homer of the spring.

Collins, an early surprise in camp after a solid season at Class A Lakeland last year, now leads the Tigers in hits for the spring.

Up next for the Tigers: While Doug Fister makes his third start of the spring Saturday, the Tigers will be making their first visit of the spring to Dunedin, Fla., for a 1:05 p.m. ET game against the Blue Jays, live on Gameday Audio. Al Alburquerque, Luis Marte, Darin Downs and Casey Crosby are also scheduled to pitch. Lefty Ricky Romero will start for Toronto. Among the regulars slated to make the trip are Austin Jackson, Torii Hunter and Alex Avila.

Jason Beck is a reporter for MLB.com. Read Beck's Blog and follow him on Twitter @beckjason. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

Dirks blasts first Grapefruit League homer

By Gregor Chisholm / MLB.com | 3/9/2013 3:55 P.M. ET

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DUNEDIN, Fla. -- Jose Bautista recorded his third home run of the spring, as the Blue Jays roughed up Doug Fister in a 4-2 victory over the Tigers on Saturday afternoon at Florida Auto Exchange Stadium.

Bautista came to bat in the first with a runner on and immediately put Toronto in front with a deep shot over the wall in left field. He is now tied with Andy LaRoche for the team lead in homers, while also posting five RBIs and five walks in nine games.

Toronto's slugger then struck again in the fourth with a double to right field which sparked another rally. Fister struggled with his command in that frame and proceeded to walk the bases loaded before being lifted from the game.

Tigers right-hander Trevor Bell came out of the bullpen and allowed an RBI single to Maicer Izturis and a sacrifice fly to Henry Blanco, which extended the Blue Jays' lead to 4-2. Fister was charged with all four runs on three hits and two walks, while striking out five.

Blue Jays left-hander Ricky Romero battled control problems on the mound during his third start of the spring. He threw just 27 of his 47 pitches for strikes, while walking three and surrendering two runs (one earned) over two frames.

Detroit's Andy Dirks opened the scoring off Romero in the first inning with a solo shot to right-center field. It was his first home run of the spring and second RBI in eight Grapefruit League games.

Romero's biggest woes occurred in the second. He allowed a one-out double to Alex Avila, which would have led to an RBI, but Bautista and Adam Lind combined on a nice relay throw to get Brayan Pena at the plate. Romero then proceeded to walk a pair of batters, but the lone run in the inning was unearned -- thanks to an error by shortstop Ryan Goins.

Up next: Rick Porcello will try to continue his bid to hold onto his rotation spot on Sunday, when he makes his fourth start of the spring against the Nationals in a 1:05 p.m. ET game at Joker Marchant Stadium. He'll be trying to build on his four scoreless innings and six strikeouts against the Astros last Tuesday. Brayan Villarreal, Joaquin Benoit, Duane Below and Kenny Faulk are also scheduled to pitch. Dan Haren will get the start for Washington. Listen to the call on MLB.com Gameday Audio online and 97.1 FM in Detroit.

Gregor Chisholm is a reporter for MLB.com. Read his blog, North of the Border, and follow him on Twitter @gregorMLB. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

Porcello remains hot in fourth Spring Training start
Allows only three singles in five scoreless innings, striking out four in Tigers' win

By Jason Beck / MLB.com | 3/10/2013 3:55 P.M. ET

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LAKELAND, Fla. -- Rick Porcello continued his stellar Spring Training with five scoreless innings and four strikeouts, shutting down a Nationals lineup that included Bryce Harper, as Detroit's early lead held for a 2-1 win on Sunday at Joker Marchant Stadium.

Porcello became the first Tigers starter to work five innings, and he allowed only three singles. Not only did he stretch his streak of innings without a walk to 13, he didn't reach a three-ball count to any of the 18 batters he faced. He threw 42 of his 60 pitches for strikes.

All four of Porcello's strikeouts came against left-handed hitters, a group that hit .325 against him last season. Three of the strikeouts were called third strikes, including Harper to lead off the fourth, and inside fastballs on Steve Lombardozzi and Chad Tracy.

Nationals starter Dan Haren did his best to keep pace, and likely would have if not for a couple of misplays behind him in the second inning. Left fielder Tyler Moore lost Prince Fielder's fly ball in the sun for a leadoff single before Alex Avila pulled a ground ball under first baseman Chris Marrero's glove three batters later to drive in Fielder and give the Tigers a 1-0 lead.

Don Kelly followed with an RBI double down the right-field line to complete the damage off Haren, who allowed five hits in four innings with two strikeouts.

The Nationals' run came in the seventh when Carlos Rivero scored on a Matt Skole sacrifice fly off Duane Below. Detroit's bullpen candidates Brayan Villarreal, who struck out the side in the eighth, and Luis Marte shut it down from there.

Andy Dirks had the lone multi-hit game, going 2-for-3 with a double.

Up next: Bruce Rondon might get his chance to protect a lead for Justin Verlander on Monday, when the Tigers host the Mets in a 1:05 p.m. ET game at Joker Marchant Stadium. Both the rookie closing candidate and the veteran ace are scheduled to pitch, along with Kyle Lobstein, Phil Coke and Jose Ortega. Jonathon Niese will start against the Tigers for the second time this spring. The game can be heard live on AM 1270 in Detroit or on Gameday Audio online.

Jason Beck is a reporter for MLB.com. Read Beck's Blog and follow him on Twitter @beckjason. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

Verlander off his game in rare spring clunker
Offense stalls behind Tigers ace, who allows five runs, including two homers

By Jason Beck / MLB.com | 3/11/2013 4:17 P.M. ET

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LAKELAND, Fla. -- Jordany Valdespin jumped Justin Verlander's third pitch of the day for his second home run off Tigers pitching in four days before a Verlander fastball knocked him out of the game, part of a bizarre day and an 11-0 Mets win Monday at Joker Marchant Stadium.

Valdespin's third homer of the spring was a drive pulled down the right-field line on Verlander's 1-1 pitch. It was reminiscent of some of the early damage Verlander took in some of his starts last summer. In this case, however, he never settled in.

"It just wasn't a good day," Verlander said afterward. "Usually there's one of those in the spring, one or two. You'd rather get them out of the way in the spring."

The day went much smoother for Mets starter Jon Niese, who blanked the Tigers for the second time in 12 days with 4 2/3 innings of one-hit ball. He walked four, but only one of those runners advanced.

John Buck doubled leading off the second inning against Verlander and scored on a rare run-scoring balk with only a runner on third, which became irrelevant once Brandon Hicks homered a couple pitches later for a 3-0 lead.

Verlander overcame leadoff runners in the second and third inning before a one-out, fifth-inning walk to Hicks set up the ending to his start. Valdespin turned to bunt on a 1-0 pitch, hoping to move the runner over, but Verlander's fastball went inside and hit Valdespin in the groin area, sending him to the ground in pain.

Brian Bixler replaced Valdespin, who later said he was OK. Ike Davis' two-run single off Kenny Faulk completed Verlander's line: five runs on four hits over 4 1/3 innings with two walks, three strikeouts and two hit-by-pitches.

Bixler had two hits and two RBIs, including an eighth-inning solo homer off Trevor Bell. Buck went 2-for-3 and scored twice. Former Mets Minor Leaguer Matt Tuiasosopo had two of Detroit's three hits through the first seven innings.

Up next: Drew Smyly will try to continue his scoreless-innings streak Tuesday, when he faces the Phillies for the second time this spring, this time in a 1:05 p.m. ET matchup Tuesday in Clearwater, Fla. Smyly has the equivalent of a complete-game three-hitter thus far this spring, with a walk and six strikeouts. Al Alburquerque, Luke Putkonen, Joaquin Benoit and Darin Downs are also scheduled to pitch opposite Phillies starter Roy Halladay. The game will be available live on MLB.TV and Gameday Audio as well as on delay on MLB Network beginning at 4 p.m. ET.

Jason Beck is a reporter for MLB.com. Read Beck's Blog and follow him on Twitter @beckjason. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

Tigers put on power show with three homers

By Todd Zolecki / MLB.com | 3/12/2013 4:13 P.M. ET

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CLEARWATER, Fla. -- Phillies right-hander Roy Halladay struggled mightily Tuesday in a 10-6 loss to the Tigers at Bright House Field.

It could be cause for concern for the Phillies, who were counting on a healthy Halladay to bolster the rotation. He allowed a run in the first inning and two more in the second when Don Kelly hit a two-run home run to right-center field. Halladay continued to struggle in the third. He loaded the bases when he walked Victor Martinez, allowed a double to Alex Avila and hit Kelly with a pitch.

Ramon Santiago followed with a grand slam to right field in the third. The Tigers hit their third home run in the fifth, as Brayan Pena took Jake Diekman deep.

Halladay allowed six hits, seven runs, four walks, one wild pitch, two home runs, hit one batter and struck out two in 2 2/3 innings. He threw 69 pitches, leaving earlier than expected.

Tigers left-hander Drew Smyly allowed five hits, three runs (two earned), one walk and struck out one in 3 1/3 innings. They were the first runs that he's surrendered this spring.

For the Phillies, Ben Revere went 3-3 and Chase Utley had a homer and three RBIs.

Up next for Tigers: The Tigers' annual exhibition against nearby Florida Southern College, usually the opener to Detroit's Spring Training schedule, is instead the midpoint of the Tigers' spring slate, scheduled for Wednesday at 1:05 p.m. ET at Joker Marchant Stadium. Most of Detroit's regulars are expected to be in the lineup for one at-bat, just like previous years. Max Scherzer is scheduled to get the start, with Brayan Villarreal pitching in relief.

Todd Zolecki is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

Cabrera homers in first at-bat back from Classic
Scherzer, Sanchez, Villarreal combine for two-hitter, 16 strikeouts

By Jason Beck / MLB.com | 3/13/2013 3:59 P.M. ET

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LAKELAND, Fla. -- Miguel Cabrera's first game swing since the World Baseball Classic was good for a home run to left field, part of back-to-back homers with Torii Hunter, as the Tigers rolled to an 11-0 win over Florida Southern College in their annual Spring Training exhibition.

In most years, the game serves as the ceremonial start to the Tigers' spring schedule. With this year's Grapefruit League slate starting earlier because of the Classic, the two teams agreed to push their game back to what was previously a mid-week off-day in the middle of the spring schedule.

Cabrera returned to Tigers camp on Tuesday, but wasn't on the travel roster to Clearwater for Detroit's game against the Phillies. He was one of several Tigers regulars who were in Wednesday's lineup for one at-bat as a sign of respect for their collegiate neighbors (Florida Southern is also located in Lakeland).

Cabrera was already on a tear before leaving for the World Baseball Classic, and he continued that on Wednesday. Add together all of his spring games, and Cabrera's first-inning drive off Moccasins starter Mike Czenszak was his eighth in 42 at-bats this spring.

Tigers Minor Leaguers took over for the bulk of the game and provided the bulk of the scoring. Outfield prospect Stephen Moya went 3-for-3 with a double, a triple and three runs scored. Aaron Westlake added three RBIs, and Brayan Pena was 2-for-2.

Starter Max Scherzer tossed four innings of two-hit ball, with seven strikeouts and one walk. Anibal Sanchez followed with four hitless innings and six strikeouts in his first appearance since pitching for Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic, and Brayan Villarreal closed it out by striking out the side in the ninth.

Up next: The Tigers will head to Florida's Atlantic coast twice in the next three days, starting with Thursday's visit to Port St. Lucie for a 1:10 p.m. ET game against the Mets at Tradition Field. The game can be watched live on MLB.TV. Doug Fister will make his fourth start of the spring, having allowed nine runs over seven innings in his first three outings, before Bruce Rondon makes his next appearance in his bid for the closer's job. Rondon has struck out nine in 5 2/3 innings, but has also allowed nine hits and walked five.

Jason Beck is a reporter for MLB.com. Read Beck's Blog and follow him on Twitter @beckjason. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

Tuiasosopo, Cabrera lead Tigers' offensive show
Prince sub, Triple Crown winner combine for five RBIs; Fister shows grit in 4 IP

By Anthony DiComo / MLB.com | 3/14/2013 4:19 P.M. ET

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PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- Dillon Gee's control deserted him on Thursday, and the Tigers were more than happy to take advantage.

Miguel Cabrera's two-run single highlighted a six-run attack against Gee, who hit two batters, threw three wild pitches and walked four Tigers over two innings. Matt Tuiasosopo added a two-run homer for the visitors at Tradition Field, who finished with a 9-1 victory over the Mets.

The trouble started early for Gee, who loaded the bases on two walks and a hit batsman in the first. Gee then walked Alex Avila to force in a run, and plunked Avisail Garcia to plate another.

Another walk and two wild pitches put a pair of runners in scoring position for the Tigers in the second inning, allowing Cabrera to come through with his two-run single. Two batters later, Tuiasosopo launched his first spring home run over the left-field wall.

"I don't know what happened," Gee said. "I literally just could not throw the baseball anywhere I wanted it to go. It happens, but we'll keep working and figure it out."

Cabrera finished 2-for-4 with two singles, two RBIs and two runs scored. He and first baseman Prince Fielder were both scheduled to make the 2 1/2-hour trip from Lakeland, Fla., but a flat tire forced Fielder to turn around on Florida's Turnpike.

"That was a pretty good replacement today," Tigers manager Jim Leyland said of Tuiasosopo, who subbed for Fielder at first base and also had an RBI double. "I don't think it'll be the Lou Gehrig story, but. ... That [homer] was a bomb against the wind. That was the loudest ball of the spring."

The Mets fought back off Tigers starter Doug Fister in the bottom of the second inning, rallying for their first run on a Mike Baxter walk and consecutive singles by Zach Lutz and Anthony Recker. But Fister escaped that jam with a strikeout and a double play, then mowed down the side in order in the third and struck out the final three batters he faced in the fourth. Fister exited after that, having limited the Mets to one run on three hits and two walks.

Tigers closer candidate Bruce Rondon tossed a 1-2-3 ninth inning with a strikeout.

Up next for the Tigers: Right-hander Rick Porcello (2-1, 2.08 ERA) will make his fifth start of the spring for the Tigers, who face the Blue Jays on Friday in a 1:05 p.m. ET contest at Joker Marchant Stadium in Lakeland, Fla., live on Gameday Audio. The 24-year-old has given up three runs over 13 innings with 14 strikeouts and no walks. Toronto will counter with left-hander Ricky Romero (0-0, 6.35 ERA).

Anthony DiComo is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @AnthonyDicomo. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

Porcello solid in five as Tigers top Blue Jays

By Jim Hawkins / MLB.com | 3/15/2013 4:11 P.M. ET

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LAKELAND, Fla. -- Rick Porcello continued to pitch like a young man with something to prove Friday, tossing five solid innings as the Tigers topped the Blue Jays, 4-2, before 9,941 at sun-drenched Joker Marchant Stadium.

"You're only as a good as your last outing -- you've got to go out and prove yourself every time," said the 24-year-old Porcello, who has been a member of the Tigers' starting staff since 2009 but is nevertheless locked in a battle with lefty Drew Smyly for the fifth spot in that rotation. "Every time you take the mound, it's a fresh start."

Smyly will make his next start Sunday against the Washington Nationals.

Porcello said he was "just about ready to start the season." But he is not taking anything for granted.

"My remaining appearances are all good opportunities to show what I can do," he said. "I came to camp strong, as strong as I have ever come to camp. And I think my mechanics are a lot stronger than they've been in years past. It's taken a couple of years to get back to throwing the ball like I have in the past."

Porcello heard all the trade rumors and the speculation about his losing his spot in the rotation this winter. And he came to camp determined to do something about it.

"It wasn't that I was out of whack every time I took the mound, but the consistency wasn't there," he acknowledged. "I just started from scratch this offseason and rebuilt my delivery."

It is still possible the Tigers might trade Porcello, especially if they decide they need to acquire a new closer. Or he could be used as a spot starter and long reliever.

Porcello allowed two runs on four hits, including a home run by Andy LaRoche, in five innings Friday. He struck out four Blue Jays and walked none.

Ricky Romero started for the Blue Jays and worked three innings, yielding three runs on five hits, including a home run by Jhonny Peralta. It was Romero's fourth start of the spring.

"It got better, I'm going to take the positives out of this," Romero said. "I'm not going to sit here and talk about the stuff that went wrong. I think it's time that I start looking at the positives.

"I made some good pitches in big situations. I made a good pitch to Victor Martinez, behind in the count, 2-1, a little unlucky there in the third inning. Some balls that weren't hit very hard, but it happens, and like I said, I got better as the game went on. A little rough first inning, but after that I think I recovered pretty good."

Up next: Shawn Hill, signed by the Tigers as a Minor League free agent during the offseason, will start against the St. Louis Cardinals in Jupiter on Saturday at 1:05 p.m. ET, available on Gameday Audio. Hill has previously seen Major League action with the Blue Jays, Padres, Nationals and Expos. Rookie closer candidate Bruce Rondon is also scheduled to pitch Saturday.

Jim Hawkins is a contributor to MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

Hill's strong start sets tone for Tigers' shutout

By Steve Dorsey / Special to MLB.com | 3/16/2013 3:40 P.M. ET

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JUPITER, Fla. -- Shawn Hill delivered his strongest outing this spring as the visiting Tigers defeated the Cardinals, 3-0, Saturday in front of a packed house of 7,629, the largest attendance at Roger Dean Stadium this spring.

Hill left after four innings of work with a 3-0 lead. The right-hander entered the game with a 9.00 ERA this spring, but had a sparkling effort Saturday, allowing only one hit with three strikeouts and one walk. He threw 57 pitches, 35 for strikes.

Closer hopeful Bruce Rondon relieved Hill and walked one, but struck out the side.

Cardinals starter Jaime Garcia, who pitched five scoreless innings against the Mets in his last start Sunday, cruised through the Tigers lineup for the first three innings, allowing only one hit and registering four strikeouts.

The Tigers finally reached the Cardinals' left-hander in the fourth, when Nick Castellanos stroked a two-out double down the third-base line to score Jhonny Peralta and give Detroit a 1-0 lead. The Tigers added two more runs in top of the fifth, which Matt Tuiasosopo led off with a home run to left-center, his second homer this spring.

Don Kelly and Quintin Berry followed with back-to-back singles, and both advanced on a groundout by Austin Jackson before Kelly scored on a Ramon Kelly sacrifice fly.

Garcia, who had allowed just two runs in 10 innings of work this spring entering the game, exited the game after five innings. He allowed three earned runs on six hits, with no walks and four strikeouts. He threw 81 pitches, 52 for strikes.

Up next: Left-hander Drew Smyly (3-0) makes his fifth Grapefruit League start when the Tigers face the Nationals at Joker Marchant Stadium at 1:05 p.m. ET. Smyly has a 1.46 ERA, and the game will be available on Gameday Audio.

Steve Dorsey is a contributor to MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

Tuiasosopo drills another homer, but Tigers fall short

By Jason Beck / MLB.com | 3/17/2013 4:35 P.M. ET

BOX SCORE

LAKELAND, Fla. -- Tyler Moore homered twice to lead a middle-inning onslaught for the Nationals, but after Prince Fielder and Victor Martinez drove in two runs apiece in a six-run sixth inning and Matt Tuiasosopo homered for the third time in four days, it took an eighth-inning rally for Washington to salvage a 12-10 win over the Tigers Sunday afternoon at Joker Marchant Stadium.

The offensive outburst made a distant memory of what had been a decent pitching duel between Drew Smyly and Ross Detwiler for three innings. Smyly struck out five of the first 12 hitters he faced before the Nationals started hitting him in the fourth. Detwiler recovered quickly from Torii Hunter's first-inning solo homer off the top of the left-field berm to toss four innings of three-hit ball.

Detwiler got back to work early after missing the past couple weeks to play for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic. Smyly, meanwhile, picked up his battle with Rick Porcello for the fifth spot in the Tigers' rotation and threw some solid offspeed pitches early before leaving pitches up in the zone the second time through the Washington order.

"They were hacking early. I left it up," Smyly said. "That's all there is to it."

Moore led off that inning with a drive down the left-field line before Chris Marrero and Danny Espinosa added RBI singles. An inning later, Moore followed Bryce Harper's double high off the center-field fence with a no-doubter into the Tigers' bullpen beyond right field off Duane Below.

Smyly's five runs allowed topped the damage he allowed over his first four starts this spring combined. He has allowed seven earned runs on 12 hits over 7 1/3 innings in his last two outings.

Most of the Tigers' sixth-inning comeback came off former teammate Ryan Perry, who gave up five runs on two hits with two walks and a hit batter after retiring the side in order in the fifth. Jeremy Accardo eventually quieted the damage in the sixth, but Ryan Mattheus walked Kevin Russo ahead of Tuiasosopo, who belted a pitch to left-center to make it a 9-8 Tigers lead.

That Detroit advantage dissipated in a wild eighth inning for setup man Al Alburquerque, who walked three and struck out two. The only ball he allowed in play was a game-tying single into shallow center field from Jhonatan Solano. Marrero greeted Darin Downs with a two-run single to put Washington ahead before Danny Worth's second error of the game on a force attempt allowed Carlos Maldonado to score.

Up next: The Tigers and Nationals finish up their home-and-home series Monday with a 1:05 p.m. ET game at Space Coast Stadium in Viera, where closing candidate Bruce Rondon will try to build off his three-strikeout inning from Saturday. He'll follow starter Max Scherzer along with Brayan Villarreal and Duane Below. Jordan Zimmermann is scheduled to start for Washington. Listen to the game online on MLB.com Gameday Audio and AM 1270 in Detroit.

Jason Beck is a reporter for MLB.com. Read Beck's Blog and follow him on Twitter @beckjason. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

Scherzer solid before Tigers rally past Nats

By Bill Ladson / MLB.com | 3/18/2013 4:02 P.M. ET

BOX SCORE

VIERA, Fla. -- Right-hander Jordan Zimmermann had his best outing of the spring, but the Nationals lost to the Tigers, 5-1, at Space Coast Stadium on Monday afternoon.

Zimmermann pitched a team-spring-high six innings, allowing one hit and striking out one batter. After Andy Dirks led off the game with a single, Zimmermann retired 18 straight batters. Zimmermann threw 67 pitches, 48 strikes.

Tigers right-hander Max Scherzer was nearly as strong as Zimmermann, allowing one run in five innings. The run was scored in the fourth inning, when Adam LaRoche hit a home run over the left-field fence, his first long ball of the spring.

But the Tigers would take the lead against reliever Rafael Soriano in the top of the seventh inning. Prince Fielder tied the score at 1 by hitting a single to left-center field, scoring Tyler Collins.

After Victor Martinez drew a walk to put runners on first and second, Alex Avila singled over the head of second baseman Danny Espinosa to score Matt Tuiasosopo to make it a 2-1 game.

Two batters later, Omar Infante singled to center field, scoring Victor Martinez. Ramon Santiago followed and singled to left field, scoring Bryan Holaday.

Fernando Abad ended the rally by getting Jeff Kobernus to fly out to Denard Span in center field.

Collins' sacrifice fly in the ninth extended Detroit's lead to the final margin.

Up next: Doug Fister will try to build off his last start and carry some momentum into the final days of camp when he makes the start against the Rays in a 1:05 p.m. ET start Tuesday at Joker Marchant Stadium. Fister gave up nine runs over seven innings in his first three spring starts but tossed four innings of one-hit ball against the Mets last Thursday. Kyle Lobstein, Luke Putkonen, Darin Downs and Phil Coke are scheduled to pitch in relief in a game which can be seen on MLB.TV and Fox Sports Detroit.

Bill Ladson is a reporter for MLB.com and writes an MLBlog, All Nats All the time. He also could be found on Twitter @WashingNats. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.