SB Nation Detroit - Tigers Ride Justin Verlander To 1st Place Going Into All-Star Breakhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48919/detroit-fave.png2011-07-10T17:26:08-04:00http://detroit.sbnation.com/rss/stream/20294802011-07-10T17:26:08-04:002011-07-10T17:26:08-04:00Justin Verlander Wins 12th Game, Tigers Take 1st Place
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<p>Kansas City, MO (<a href="http://www.sbnation.com/mlb/events/72784/recap?article_id=157313">Sports Network</a>) - After scoring 13 runs on Saturday, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="../../../mlb/teams/kansas-city-royals">Kansas City Royals</a> were held to just one, but that's what happens when teams face Detroit's <span>Justin Verlander</span>.</p>
<p>Verlander (12-4) threw 7 2/3 innings of one-run ball as the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="../../../mlb/teams/detroit-tigers">Tigers</a> took a 2-1 win over the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.royalsreview.com/">Royals</a> in the finale of a four-game series.</p>
<p>The Detroit ace, who allowed just six hits and fanned nine, was one of the best pitchers before the All-Star break and is part of the reason why the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blessyouboys.com/">Tigers</a> took first place in the American League Central during the final day of the first half.</p>
<p>Earlier Sunday, Cleveland lost to Toronto and Detroit moved a half-game in front of the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="../../../mlb/teams/cleveland-indians">Indians</a> with a 49-43 first-half record.</p>
<p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="../../../mlb/players/544/jeff-francis">Jeff Francis</a> (3-10) had one of his better starts of the season but still suffered the loss, allowing two runs on four hits. He also struck out a season-high six batters for the Royals, who are 11 1/2 games behind Detroit in the AL Central cellar.</p>
https://detroit.sbnation.com/2011/7/10/2269082/justin-verlander-wins-12th-game-tigers-take-1st-placeSean Yuille2011-07-10T01:11:37-04:002011-07-10T01:11:37-04:00Tigers Pitching Fails As Royals Win, 13-6
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<p>Kansas City, MO (<a href="http://www.sbnation.com/mlb/events/72783/recap?article_id=157245">Sports Network</a>) - <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="../../../mlb/players/261/alex-gordon">Alex Gordon</a> had a three-run homer while <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="../../../mlb/players/31609/alcides-escobar">Alcides Escobar</a> scored three times and also drove in three runs as the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="../../../mlb/teams/kansas-city-royals">Kansas City Royals</a> outslugged the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="../../../mlb/teams/detroit-tigers">Detroit Tigers</a> for a 13-6 win.</p>
<p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="../../../mlb/players/597/melky-cabrera">Melky Cabrera</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="../../../mlb/players/258/billy-butler">Billy Butler</a> each knocked in a pair of runs for the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.royalsreview.com/">Royals</a>, who had lost the first two games of the four-game series by two runs each.</p>
<p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="../../../mlb/players/112599/greg-holland">Greg Holland</a> (3-1) got the win, tossing 2 1/3 scoreless innings of relief for KC. He allowed just two hits and struck out two while starter <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="../../../mlb/players/19835/luke-hochevar">Luke Hochevar</a> was roughed up for six runs on nine hits over 3 2/3 innings.</p>
<p>"Something's happening. My focus, my approach and my execution, I think, really doesn't waver," Hochevar said of his rough outing. "So something's happening, whether it's my mixture, falling into patterns or whatever it is, there's something there and I need to figure it out."</p>
<p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="../../../mlb/players/32059/brennan-boesch">Brennan Boesch</a> had a pair of RBI for Detroit, which had a three-game win streak snapped.</p>
<p>Detroit pitching was far from impressive after giving up 13 runs -- only five earned -- on 12 hits and five walks. Starter <span>Charlie Furbush</span> (1-3) was charged with the loss in his second start of the season, lasting just 2 2/3 innings. He allowed nine runs -- four earned -- on nine hits.</p>
<p>"It's a tough one," Furbush said. "You've just got to tip your cap. They got some hits that found holes and playing some good baseball. You can't do much about it."</p>
<p>The offensive outburst started right from the beginning with 15 runs scored in the first 3 1/2 innings.</p>
<p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="../../../mlb/players/129119/eric-hosmer">Eric Hosmer</a> grounded into a force out with the bases loaded to score Cabrera for the first run of the game in the opening frame.</p>
<p>During the second inning, Escobar's groundout scored <span>Wilson Betemit</span>. Later in the inning, the Royals scored a pair of runs off of Butler's two-out single for a 4-0 lead.</p>
<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blessyouboys.com/">Tigers</a> halved the deficit during the next inning when <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="../../../mlb/players/271/ryan-raburn">Ryan Raburn</a> led off with a double and scored on Boesch's single. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="../../../mlb/players/427/miguel-cabrera">Miguel Cabrera</a> followed that up with an RBI base knock.</p>
<p>But the Royals regained a comfortable lead during the bottom half after <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="../../../mlb/players/32874/chris-getz">Chris Getz</a> and <span>Melky Cabrera</span> had back-to-back RBI singles to set up Gordon's three- run bomb to center that pushed the lead to 9-2.</p>
<p>Detroit did go away, though, as it tallied four runs during the fourth to cut it to a three-run game.</p>
<p>With the bases loaded, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="../../../mlb/players/70548/andy-dirks">Andy Dirks</a> lined out to short for the second out of the game. On the play, though, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="../../../mlb/players/397/don-kelly">Don Kelly</a> scored on Escobar's throwing error on the double-play attempt. That kept the inning going as <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="../../../mlb/players/4423/ramon-santiago">Ramon Santiago</a> and Boesch each had RBI singles. <span>Miguel Cabrera</span> walked to fill the bases once again and set up <span>Victor Martinez</span>'s walk that forced Santiago home.</p>
<p>Runs kept pouring in for the Royals while Detroit stopped altogether. Melky Cabrera slapped run-scoring grounder up the middle in the fifth, and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="../../../mlb/players/463/matt-treanor">Matt Treanor</a> launched a sac fly in the sixth. During the same inning, Escobar drilled a two-run triple to push the lead to 13-6.</p>
<p>Detroit fell to 5-3 against the Royals this season...KC's top four hitters combined for nine hits and eight RBI...The Royals were 8-for-17 with runners in scoring position and left six men on base...Detroit left eight men on base and was 5-for-15 with runners in scoring position.</p>
https://detroit.sbnation.com/2011/7/10/2268375/tigers-pitching-fails-as-royals-win-13-6Sean Yuille2011-07-09T00:03:13-04:002011-07-09T00:03:13-04:00Tigers Take 2nd Game Of Series Against Royals, 6-4
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<p>Kansas City, MO (<a href="http://www.sbnation.com/mlb/events/72782/recap?article_id=157164">Sports Network</a>) - <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="../../../mlb/players/275/magglio-ordonez">Magglio Ordonez</a> belted a two-run home run and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="../../../mlb/players/70548/andy-dirks">Andy Dirks</a> went 3-for-5 with a run batted in as the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="../../../mlb/teams/detroit-tigers">Detroit Tigers</a> held on to a 6-4 win over the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="../../../mlb/teams/kansas-city-royals">Kansas City Royals</a> in the second installment of a four- game series.</p>
<p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="../../../mlb/players/32059/brennan-boesch">Brennan Boesch</a>, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="../../../mlb/players/85/victor-martinez">Victor Martinez</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="../../../mlb/players/87/jhonny-peralta">Jhonny Peralta</a> also drove in runs for Detroit, which has won three in a row.</p>
<p>Rick Porcello (8-6) allowed three runs -- one earned -- on six hits over 5 1/3 innings to get the win. He also struck out five while walking one.</p>
<p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="../../../mlb/players/597/melky-cabrera">Melky Cabrera</a> went 3-for-4, scored twice and had an RBI for the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.royalsreview.com/">Royals</a>, who have dropped three of their last five.</p>
<p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="../../../mlb/players/261/alex-gordon">Alex Gordon</a> also had three hits and an RBI in the loss, while <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="../../../mlb/players/997/kyle-davies">Kyle Davies</a> (1-8) was touched for five runs on nine hits over six innings.</p>
https://detroit.sbnation.com/detroit-tigers/2011/7/9/2267199/tigers-take-2nd-game-of-series-against-royals-6-4Sean Yuille2011-07-08T22:58:24-04:002011-07-08T22:58:24-04:00Austin Jackson Will Not Hit Again Until After The All-Star Break
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<p>The <a href="https://www.blessyouboys.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Tigers</a> are being fastidious with their fast starting center fielder. Due to a tender right wrist, <span>Austin Jackson</span> will not start another game this series against the <a href="https://www.royalsreview.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Royals</a> and will not return to the starting lineup until after the All-Star break next week.</p>
<p>Jackson left yesterday’s game in the third inning with what was deemed merely a sore wrist that obviously isn’t worth risking at this point with the longest break of the season coming up on Monday.</p>
<p>The Tigers did not rule out using Jackson in the latter innings this weekend, though, as a defensive replacement [via <a target="new" href="http://www.mlive.com/tigers/index.ssf/2011/07/why_its_ok_for_detroit_tigers.html"><span class="caps">MLIVE</span></a>]:</p>
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<p>“If we get a lead and we’ve got an inning or two to play, I’ll just put him in center field and let him play defense,” Leyland said. “If he would have to happen to come up to hit, we’d just pinch-hit for him or let him bunt or do something like that.”</p>
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<p>After hitting .291/.355/.774 in June, Jackson was off to a .188/.409/.722 start in July before being pulled from last night’s game.</p>
<p><b>UPDATE: </b>Austin Jackson pinch ran in the 9th inning of tonight's game, which means that the Tigers are only concerned with Jackson hitting. I imagine this all means we won't see him hit again until after the All-Star break. </p>
https://detroit.sbnation.com/detroit-tigers/2011/7/8/2267118/austin-jackson-injury-wristPackey2011-07-08T00:02:00-04:002011-07-08T00:02:00-04:00Tigers Begin 4-Game Series Against Royals With 3-1 Win
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<p>Kansas City, MO (<a href="http://www.sbnation.com/mlb/events/72781/recap?article_id=157070">Sports Network</a>) - <span>Ryan Raburn</span>'s two-run homer was all the offense <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="../../mlb/players/31245/max-scherzer">Max Scherzer</a> and the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="../../mlb/teams/detroit-tigers">Detroit Tigers</a> needed in a 3-1 win over the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="../../mlb/teams/kansas-city-royals">Kansas City Royals</a> to start a four-game set.</p>
<p>On his fourth try, Scherzer (10-4) finally got his 10th win, allowing one run on six hits over 6 2/3 innings.</p>
<p>"I didn't walk anybody," Scherzer said. "I didn't put myself in dangerous positions. I was able to keep the ball on the ground and was able to have a good outing."</p>
<p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="../../mlb/players/397/don-kelly">Don Kelly</a> ripped a home run in the ninth for the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blessyouboys.com/">Tigers</a>, who have won two straight.</p>
<p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="../../mlb/players/106700/mike-moustakas">Mike Moustakas</a> drove in the lone run for the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.royalsreview.com/">Royals</a>, who had a two-game winning streak snapped.</p>
<p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="../../mlb/players/106699/danny-duffy">Danny Duffy</a> (1-4) suffered the loss, allowing two runs on four hits over six innings. He struck out six and walked one.</p>
<p>"It's what's best for the team," said Duffy, who was set to minor leagues after the game. "We've got another arm in the bullpen. I don't fret over that. I'll go down to Omaha and do what I've got to do. Get a start and work on getting back here on the (July) 18th and do it against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="../../mlb/teams/chicago-white-sox">White Sox</a> on 19th."</p>
<p>Raburn blasted a two-run homer over the fence in left to break open the scoring during the second inning.</p>
<p>Kansas City got a run back in the fifth, which was started by <span>Eric Hosmer</span>'s double. He moved to third on a <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="../../mlb/players/960/jeff-francoeur">Jeff Francoeur</a> fly out in foul territory and scored on Moustakas' groundout to second.</p>
<p>Kelly added an insurance run in the ninth with a leadoff shot over the fence in right.</p>
<p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="../../mlb/players/587/jose-valverde">Jose Valverde</a> came into the ninth and got two quick outs before walking Hosmer. Later on, Francoeur singled and stole second to put runners on third and second. Moustakas, who represented the winning run flied out, though, to end the game and give Valverde his 22nd save of the season.</p>
<p>Detroit's <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="../../mlb/players/31807/austin-jackson">Austin Jackson</a> left the game with left wrist soreness...<a class="sbn-auto-link" href="../../mlb/players/261/alex-gordon">Alex Gordon</a> has an eight-game home hitting streak...Detroit is 4-2 against the Royals this season...KC was just 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position and left six men on base... The Royals out-hit the Tigers 8-6.</p>
https://detroit.sbnation.com/2011/7/8/2337645/tigers-begin-4-game-series-against-royals-with-3-1-winSean Yuille