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Tigers welcome Blue Jays to Comerica Park

Apr 9, 2013 - 2:06 PM (Sports Network) - The reigning American League champion Detroit Tigers are back in action Tuesday when they begin a three-game series versus the Toronto Blue Jays at Comerica Park.

The Tigers are 3-3 on the season and took two of three contests from the New York Yankees over the weekend. The Tigers failed in their bid for a three-game sweep with Sunday's 7-0 setback as ace Justin Verlander was dealt the loss, giving up three runs and seven hits in 7 1/3 innings.

Verlander countered Yankees left-hander CC Sabathia, who held the Tigers scoreless through seven innings.

"(Verlander) gave us a chance. We just didn't do much with CC today," said Tigers manager Jim Leyland.

Torii Hunter and Matt Tuiasosopo had two hits apiece in defeat.

After hosting the Blue Jays, Detroit will head west for nine games against the Oakland Athletics, Seattle Mariners and Los Angeles Angels.

Anibal Sanchez pitched well in his season debut for the Tigers, but did not record a decision in last Wednesday's 3-2 loss at Minnesota. Sanchez draws the start Tuesday and allowed just two hits in five shutout innings against the Twins.

Sanchez, a right-hander, split time with Miami and Detroit last season and hopes his home debut will produce a winning result. In three career starts against the Blue Jays, Sanchez is 1-2 with a lofty 6.75 ERA.

Toronto will depart the Great White North for the first time this season when it begins a six-game trek against Detroit and Kansas City.

The Jays recently lost two of three to Boston and sustained a 13-0 beating at the hands of the Red Sox on Sunday. One day after recording a 5-0 win, Blue Jays starter R.A. Dickey fell to 0-2 on the season for allowing eight runs -- seven earned -- and 10 hits in 4 2/3 innings.

"Throughout the course of the season, you're going to have a clunker or two that you have to try to forget as soon as you can," Dickey said. "Obviously, today was one of those days for me. A lot of this game is about how to handle adversity and manage regret. That will be it for me tonight."

Dave Bush did no better in relief, giving up five runs in three frames.

Jose Reyes and Maicer Izturis each had two hits for the Blue Jays, who fell to 2-4 on the season.

Run support was an issue for Blue Jays hurler Brandon Morrow his last time out and he will take the hill Tuesday against the Tigers. Morrow made his season debut in last Wednesday's 3-2 loss to Cleveland and permitted just a run on six hits and two walks over six innings with eight K's.

Morrow has made 11 career appearances, two starts, against the Tigers and is 1-1 with three saves and a 3.72 ERA.

Toronto lost four of six matchups with Detroit a season ago.