Final
Tigers-Blue Jays Preview
Aug 26, 2010 - 3:55 AMVideo
Detroit (63-63) at Toronto (65-60), 7:07 p.m. EDT
If the Detroit Tigers keep getting strong performances from their starting pitchers, another winning streak could be in their near future.
Having Max Scherzer on the mound could be what they need.
Scherzer will try to help Detroit rebound from the end of its five-game win streak and earn his third straight victory Thursday night in the opener of a four-game series at the Toronto Blue Jays.
The Tigers (63-64) led Kansas City 3-0 after six innings Wednesday, but their bullpen faltered en route to a 4-3 loss in 12 innings. Jose Valverde gave up the tying run, snapping a streak of 24 consecutive converted save opportunities.
Leyland's starting pitchers have proved steadier recently with a 1.09 ERA over the last six games. Scherzer (9-9, 3.73 ERA) has been consistent even longer, with a 1.72 ERA in 12 starts since June 20.
The right-hander has allowed two runs or fewer in five consecutive outings, including Saturday's 5-2 win over Cleveland.
It's a long way from earlier this season, when Scherzer was sent to Triple-A Toledo after going 1-4 with a 7.29 ERA in his first eight starts with the Tigers. He's 8-5 with a 2.28 ERA since being recalled May 30.
"Right now, I'm executing pitches," Scherzer told the Tigers' official website. "Everybody wants to look at the look at the difference between now and then, but I'm not. I'm going out there pitching. Next start I have is against Toronto. I'm going to go out there and try to execute as many pitches as I can, and hopefully give the team a chance to win."
Scherzer, who is seeking to reach 10 wins for the first time in his career, has never pitched against the Blue Jays (66-60), who lead the majors with 192 homers.
He'll face a team that's attempting to earn back-to-back victories for the first time in 10 days. The Blue Jays took two of three games from the Yankees this week, including a 6-3 victory Wednesday night as Vernon Wells finished a double shy of the cycle and matched a season high with four RBIs.
Toronto will give the ball to Ricky Romero (10-7, 3.50), who will try to earn a career high-tying fourth straight win while continuing to recover from strep throat. The left-hander, who spent two days away from the team, has given up at least four runs in two of his last three outings, including Saturday's 5-4, 11-inning loss to Boston.
Romero is 1-2 with a 4.26 ERA in three starts against the Tigers. He allowed three runs over seven innings of a 5-2 defeat July 22.
"I know if I pitch my game, I'm in good shape," Romero told the Blue Jays' official website following his last start.
Detroit's Johnny Damon is 4 for 6 with two doubles and a homer in his career against Romero, while Miguel Cabrera is 5 for 8.
Toronto shortstop Yunel Escobar is 6 for 13 with three doubles against Scherzer. Jose Bautista, who is one shy of 100 career homers, is 0 for 1 with a walk.
- Blue Jays 1, Tigers 7 - FINAL
DETROIT ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
A Jackson cf 5 1 2 0 0 0 0 .307
R Santiago 2b 5 1 2 0 0 0 1 .280
J Damon dh 3 1 1 0 2 0 0 .269
M Cabrera 1b 5 0 1 0 0 1 5 .340
R Raburn lf 5 1 1 1 0 2 4 .245
J Peralta ss 4 1 1 4 1 3 2 .244
B Inge
Aug 26 9:36 PM - AL
AT TORONTO - SCORING UPDATE
SOLO HOME RUN BY JOSE BAUTISTA (41) TO LEFT WITH 0 OUT IN
THE 7TH OFF MAX SCHERZER.
CURRENT SCORE: DETROIT 7, TORONTO 1
DUE UP FOR TORONTO: V WELLS (.272, 0-FOR-2)
Tigers 7, Blue Jays 1 Bot 7, 0 OutsAug 26 9:05 PM - AL
AT TORONTO - SCORING UPDATE
BASES LOADED WALK TO JHONNY PERALTA SCORED AUSTIN JACKSON
SITUATION: 1 RUN IN, J PERALTA ON FIRST, J DAMON ON SECOND, R
SANTIAGO ON THIRD, 2 OUTS
CURRENT SCORE: DETROIT 7
TORONTO 0 TOP,7TH
DUE UP FOR DETROIT: B INGE (.258, 0-FOR-2, BB)
Tigers 7, Blue Jays 0 Top 7, 0 OutsAug 26 9:00 PM - AL
AT TORONTO - SCORING UPDATE
TWO-RUN HOME RUN BY GERALD LAIRD (4) TO LEFT CENTER WITH 2
OUT IN THE 4TH OFF RICKY ROMERO SCORED CASPER WELLS.
CURRENT SCORE: DETROIT 6, TORONTO 0
DUE UP FOR DETROIT: A JACKSON (.305, 0-FOR-2)
Tigers 6, Blue Jays 0 Top 4, 0 OutsAug 26 8:07 PM - AL
AT TORONTO - SCORING UPDATE
THREE-RUN HOME RUN BY JHONNY PERALTA (13) TO LEFT CENTER
WITH 1 OUT IN THE 4TH OFF RICKY ROMERO SCORED RYAN RABURN AND
JOHNNY DAMON.
CURRENT SCORE: DETROIT 4, TORONTO 0
DUE UP FOR DETROIT: B INGE (.258, 0-FOR-1)
Tigers 4, Blue Jays 0 Top 4, 0 OutsAug 26 8:01 PM - AL
AT TORONTO - SCORING UPDATE
ERROR BY EDWIN ENCARNACION ALLOWED RAMON SANTIAGO TO SCORE.
SITUATION: 1 RUN IN, R RABURN ON FIRST, J DAMON ON THIRD, 1 OUT
CURRENT SCORE: DETROIT 1
TORONTO 0 TOP,4TH
DUE UP FOR DETROIT: J PERALTA (.243, 0-FOR-1)
Tigers 1, Blue Jays 0 Top 4, 0 OutsAug 26 8:00 PM
Related News
- Breaking down the Tigers offensive projections for 2024 Dec 26
- Merry Christmas Dec 25
- Happy Birthday Rickey Henderson Dec 25
- Hall of Fame Poll: David Wright Dec 24
- Hall of Fame Poll: Billy Wagner Dec 23
- Off Topic: What is the worst Christmas song? Dec 23
- Tigers sign RHP Shelby Miller to a one-year contract Dec 22
- Friday Open Thread: Your Tigers Christmas wish Dec 22
- Today in Blue Jays History: Brandon Morrow Trade Dec 22
- Off-Topic: Favourite Christmas Song Dec 21
- Happy Birthday Tom Henke Dec 21
- Today in Blue Jays History: Olerud traded for Person Dec 20