GDT15: 4/18/13 - DET (9-5) AT SEA (6-10) - 3:40 p.m. ET

Tigers: RHP Justin Verlander (2-1, 1.96 ERA)

Safeco Field has been a tricky place for Verlander, who owns a 4-4 record and 4.45 ERA over eight career starts in the great northwest. His victory there with a six-inning quality start last year was his first since 2008.



Mariners: RHP Hisashi Iwakuma (2-0, 2.18 ERA)

Iwakuma has been outstanding in three starts, outdueling Yu Darvish 3-1 in his last outing with 6 2/3 innings of three-hit ball on his 32nd birthday. He's 7-3 with a 2.40 ERA in 18 games (11 starts) at Safeco Field.








Verlander, Iwakuma matched up after long night

By Gary Cotton / MLB.com | 4/18/2013 4:43 AM ET

Safeco Field was electric Wednesday night, and for good cause, as the game hung in the balance through 14 innings and threatened strikeout records before Detroit sealed up the series with a 2-1 win.

As the Tigers look for the sweep in Thursday's finale, another classic pitching duel could be in the works as two of the American League's strongest pitchers this season take the mound.

Detroit will turn to ace Justin Verlander, who owns a 1.96 ERA after three starts this season. Verlander is 2-1 this year, and the right-hander will have some rough history to overcome at Safeco Field for his fourth start.

When Verlander won last year in Seattle, it was his first victory there since 2008. He allowed just three earned runs with only two walks in that win, but owns an overall 4-4 record and a 4.45 ERA over eight career starts at Safeco.

Seattle answers with Hisashi Iwakuma, who is coming off three outstanding performances against the Rangers, White Sox, and A's this season. He has been one of the most consistent starters for the Mariners, winning two starts with a no-decision while walking just one hitter in 20 2/3 innings.

Opponents are hitting .129 against the right-hander, but the Tigers might benefit from a possible Achilles' heel. Manager Eric Wedge lifted Iwakuma from his last outing partly because he continues to have blister issues on the middle finger of his throwing hand.

"I was having another blood blister over my blister, so that was something I had to think about on the mound," Iwakuma said through interpreter Antony Suzuki. "But we have an extra day of rest [with an off-day on Monday], so I should be ready."

Iwakuma said his splitter puts extra stress on the finger, but that also has been his best pitch.

"It was a big, effective pitch," he said of the Rangers' outing. "I had good action on it and got a lot of swing and misses with it, so that was a very big pitch for me."

Tigers: Valverde pitching in Minors
Jose Valverde's road back to Detroit bullpen will take a little longer than perhaps he expected. GM Dave Dombrowski wants to test Valverde at a higher Minor League level before making a decision on whether to bring him up.

"At this point, we're not just going to leave him in [Class A] Lakeland and make a decision. Our plans would be to move him up, but the weather has been so bad. We don't want him to go and join the [Triple-A] Toledo club and all of a sudden be sitting there for three or four days in a shortened time period and not pitching because of the weather," Dombrowski said.

"It's a decision for us to make sure he continues to work. He's doing fine. His progress has been fine. We just continue to analyze, and we've worked with him too, wanting to make sure where his comfort zone is."

Mariners: Iwakuma gets comfortable
Closer Tom Wilhelmsen said Iwakuma is a different pitcher this season than when he arrived in Seattle last year. Iwakuma initially was used as a long reliever and racked up two saves with a 9-5 record.

"Coming over here last year he was in the bullpen pitching once every 16-18 days," said Wilhelmsen. "He didn't really have a solid spot and it was only a matter of time before he got in the groove and became a starting pitcher. He's had a full year to get comfortable with everyone and you can obviously tell the difference."

Worth noting
After a nine-game hitting streak, Tigers first baseman Prince Fielder has been ice cold against the Mariners. Fielder is 0-for-11 with nine strikeouts on the series.

Iwakuma took a no-decision in his only appearance against the Tigers last year. The right-hander struck out five through three innings and was pulled with one earned run allowed.

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






INJURY UPDATE:

• RF Avisail Garcia (Right heel contusion, 15-day DL retroactive to March 22, 2013).







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• FRI, April 19:
TIGERS: (RHP Anibal Sanchez (2-0, 1.42 ERA)) AT
ANGELS: (RHP Tommy Hanson, (1-1, 6.55 ERA))
10:05 p.m. ET (FS-D / AM 1270 & 97.1 FM)


• SAT, April 20:
TIGERS: (RHP Rick Porcello (0-1, 5.11 ERA)) AT
ANGELS: (RHP Garrett Richards (0-0, 4.22 ERA))
3:05 p.m. ET (FS-D / AM 1270 & 97.1 FM)


• SUN, April 21:
TIGERS: (RHP Doug Fister (3-0, 2.70 ERA)) AT
ANGELS: (LHP C.J. Wilson (1-0, 4.00 ERA))
3:35 p.m. ET (FS-D / AM 1270 & 97.1 FM)

STARTING LINEUPS:

The only starter with a day off after Wednesday’s marathon is 37-year-old Torii Hunter. Don Kelly starts in right field in his place. Hunter is the only Tiger with more than a couple at-bats against M’s starter Hisashi Iwakuma, but he’s just 2-for-10 with two strikeouts off him.

Leyland debated whether to rest one of his middle infielders, but stuck with them.

“I wanted to post my lineup with [Brayan] Pena catching, but I didn’t have the heart,” Leyland joked.

TIGERS

Austin Jackson, CF (0-for-1 off Iwakuma)
Andy Dirks, LF (0-for-1 off Iwakuma)
Miguel Cabrera, 3B (0-for-1 off Iwakuma)
Prince Fielder, 1B (1-for-2 off Iwakuma)
Victor Martinez, DH
Jhonny Peralta, SS (1-for-1 off Iwakuma)
Alex Avila, C (0-for-2, K off Iwakuma)
Omar Infante, 2B
Don Kelly, RF

P: Justin Verlander


MARINERS

Endy Chavez, CF (0-for-3, walk, K off Verlander)
Jason Bay, RF (3-for-7, 2 walks, 3 K’s off Verlander)
Kendrys Morales, DH (7-for-18, HR, 5 K’s off Verlander)
Michael Morse, LF (2-for-3 off Verlander)
Justin Smoak, 1B (2-for-5, HR, 3 K’s off Verlander)
Kelly Shoppach, C (4-for-19, HR, 2 walks, 7 K’s off Verlander)
Dustin Ackley, 2B (1-for-3 off Verlander)
Robert Andino, 3B (2-for-8, 2 K’s off Verlander)
Brendan Ryan, SS (3-for-10, walk, 4 K’s off Verlander)

P: Hisashi Iwakuma

DET - Top 1st
B:0 S:0 O:1
Austin Jackson flies out to center fielder Endy Chavez.

B:2 S:1 O:2
Andy Dirks grounds out, shortstop Brendan Ryan to first baseman Justin Smoak.

B:0 S:1 O:3
Miguel Cabrera flies out to center fielder Endy Chavez.


SEA - Bot 1st
B:2 S:3 O:1
Endy Chavez strikes out swinging.

B:0 S:3 O:2
Jason Bay strikes out swinging.

B:0 S:1 O:2
Kendrys Morales doubles (5) on a line drive to left fielder Andy Dirks, deflected by center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:2 S:2 O:3
Michael Morse grounds out, first baseman Prince Fielder to pitcher Justin Verlander.

0-0 AFTER 1 INNING

DET - Top 2nd
B:0 S:2 O:0
Prince Fielder singles on a ground ball to right fielder Jason Bay.

B:2 S:2 O:2
Victor Martinez grounds into a double play, second baseman Dustin Ackley to shortstop Brendan Ryan to first baseman Justin Smoak. Prince Fielder out at 2nd.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Jhonny Peralta singles on a line drive to center fielder Endy Chavez.

B:1 S:1 O:3
Alex Avila grounds out, pitcher Hisashi Iwakuma to shortstop Brendan Ryan to first baseman Justin Smoak.


SEA - Bot 2nd
B:1 S:3 O:1
Justin Smoak called out on strikes.

B:2 S:3 O:2
Kelly Shoppach strikes out swinging.

B:3 S:2 O:2
Dustin Ackley singles on a line drive to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:1 S:2 O:3
Robert Andino grounds into a force out, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to second baseman Omar Infante. Dustin Ackley out at 2nd.

0-0 AFTER 2 INNINGS

DET - Top 3rd
B:1 S:1 O:1
Omar Infante grounds out, pitcher Hisashi Iwakuma to first baseman Justin Smoak.

B:2 S:0 O:2
Don Kelly flies out to left fielder Michael Morse.

B:0 S:2 O:3
Austin Jackson grounds out, shortstop Brendan Ryan to first baseman Justin Smoak.


SEA - Bot 3rd
B:1 S:1 O:1
Brendan Ryan pops out to second baseman Omar Infante.

B:1 S:2 O:1
Endy Chavez singles on a soft ground ball to third baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Jason Bay flies out to left fielder Andy Dirks.

B:2 S:2 O:3
With Kendrys Morales batting, Endy Chavez caught stealing 2nd base, catcher Alex Avila to shortstop Jhonny Peralta.

0-0 AFTER 3 INNINGS

DET - Top 4th
B:1 S:3 O:1
Andy Dirks called out on strikes.

B:2 S:2 O:1
Miguel Cabrera singles on a line drive to left fielder Michael Morse.

B:0 S:2 O:3
Prince Fielder grounds into a double play, second baseman Dustin Ackley to first baseman Justin Smoak. Miguel Cabrera out at 2nd.


SEA - Bot 4th
B:1 S:2 O:1
Kendrys Morales flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:0 S:3 O:2
Michael Morse strikes out swinging.

B:1 S:2 O:2
Justin Smoak singles on a ground ball to second baseman Omar Infante.

B:1 S:2 O:2
Kelly Shoppach singles on a ground ball to center fielder Austin Jackson. Justin Smoak to 2nd.

B:0 S:3 O:3
Dustin Ackley strikes out swinging.

0-0 AFTER 4 INNINGS

DET - Top 5th
B:4 S:2 O:0
Victor Martinez walks.

B:3 S:2 O:1
Jhonny Peralta grounds out, third baseman Robert Andino to first baseman Justin Smoak. Victor Martinez to 2nd.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Alex Avila flies out to left fielder Michael Morse.

B:0 S:0 O:3
Omar Infante lines out to center fielder Endy Chavez.


SEA - Bot 5th
B:2 S:2 O:0
Robert Andino singles on a soft line drive to second baseman Omar Infante.

Injury Delay.

B:0 S:2 O:2
Brendan Ryan grounds into a double play, second baseman Omar Infante to shortstop Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Prince Fielder. Robert Andino out at 2nd.

B:4 S:1 O:2
Endy Chavez walks.

B:0 S:3 O:3
Jason Bay strikes out swinging.

0-0 AFTER 5 INNINGS

DET - Top 6th
B:0 S:0 O:1
Don Kelly flies out to center fielder Endy Chavez.

B:0 S:2 O:2
Austin Jackson grounds out to first baseman Justin Smoak.

B:1 S:3 O:3
Andy Dirks strikes out swinging, catcher Kelly Shoppach to first baseman Justin Smoak.


SEA - Bot 6th
B:0 S:0 O:1
Kendrys Morales flies out to right fielder Don Kelly.

B:2 S:3 O:2
Michael Morse strikes out swinging.

B:1 S:3 O:3
Justin Smoak strikes out swinging.

0-0 AFTER 6 INNINGS

DET - Top 7th
Pitching Change: Carter Capps replaces Hisashi Iwakuma.

B:0 S:0 O:1
Miguel Cabrera lines out to center fielder Endy Chavez.

B:3 S:2 O:1
Prince Fielder doubles (6) on a line drive to center fielder Endy Chavez.

B:4 S:0 O:1
Carter Capps intentionally walks Victor Martinez.

B:1 S:3 O:2
Jhonny Peralta strikes out swinging.

B:3 S:2 O:3
Alex Avila flies out to left fielder Michael Morse in foul territory.


SEA - Bot 7th
B:1 S:3 O:1
Kelly Shoppach strikes out swinging.

B:2 S:3 O:2
Dustin Ackley strikes out swinging.

B:2 S:2 O:2
Robert Andino singles on a ground ball to left fielder Andy Dirks.

Coaching visit to mound.

Offensive Substitution: Pinch-hitter Kyle Seager replaces Brendan Ryan.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Kyle Seager doubles (8) on a line drive to left fielder Andy Dirks. Robert Andino scores.
SEA 1 - 0

B:3 S:2 O:2
Endy Chavez singles on a line drive to left fielder Andy Dirks. Kyle Seager scores. Endy Chavez to 2nd on the throw.
SEA 2 - 0

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

SEA 2 - 0 AFTER 7 INNINGS

DET - Top 8th
Defensive switch from third base to shortstop for Robert Andino.

Kyle Seager remains in the game as the third baseman.

B:1 S:1 O:1
Omar Infante flies out to right fielder Jason Bay.

B:1 S:1 O:1
Don Kelly singles on a fly ball to left fielder Michael Morse.

B:1 S:3 O:2
Austin Jackson strikes out swinging.

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


SEA - Bot 8th
Pitching Change: Phil Coke replaces Justin Verlander.

B:0 S:1 O:1
Kendrys Morales grounds out, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Prince Fielder.

B:3 S:2 O:2
Michael Morse grounds out, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Prince Fielder.

B:2 S:2 O:3
Justin Smoak flies out to left fielder Andy Dirks.

SEA 2 - 0 AFTER 8 INNINGS

DET - Top 9th
Pitching Change: Tom Wilhelmsen replaces Carter Capps.

B:2 S:2 O:1
Miguel Cabrera grounds out, third baseman Kyle Seager to first baseman Justin Smoak.

B:0 S:2 O:2
Prince Fielder flies out to center fielder Endy Chavez.

B:1 S:2 O:3
Victor Martinez grounds out, second baseman Dustin Ackley to first baseman Justin Smoak.


TIGERS LOSE 0-2

CLICK HERE FOR BOX SCORE


W: Capps
L: Verlander
S: Wilhelmsen (6)


Game Info


IBB: Martinez, V (by Capps).
Pitches-strikes: Verlander 126-89, Coke 16-11, Iwakuma 70-49, Capps 40-23, Wilhelmsen 14-11.
Groundouts-flyouts: Verlander 3-3, Coke 2-1, Iwakuma 8-5, Capps 0-2, Wilhelmsen 2-1.
Batters faced: Verlander 29, Coke 3, Iwakuma 20, Capps 9, Wilhelmsen 3.
Umpires: HP: Jim Reynolds. 1B: James Hoye. 2B: John Hirschbeck. 3B: Bob Davidson.
Weather: 51 degrees, cloudy.
Wind: 0 mph, None.
T: 2:52.
Att: 15,742.