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Red-hot Gee aims to salvage Mets' finale vs. Tigers

Aug 25, 2013 - 12:00 PM (Sports Network) - With just one loss over the last two months, Dillon Gee has been one of the best pitchers in the majors.

Sunday, Gee tries to help the New York Mets avoid a three-game sweep at the hands of the Detroit Tigers at Citi Field.

Gee has a 4-1 mark over his last 11 starts. The loss in that stretch came July 27 at Washington. The right-hander has a 3-0 record over his last six home starts and hasn't lost a Citi Field since May 25 versus Atlanta. He is 2-0 with a 1.27 ERA through four starts this month.

In his last start, Monday at Target Field, Gee earned a win in a 5-1 final. He allowed one run over 7 2/3 innings. Gee has a 1.47 ERA over his last seven starts and opponents are hitting just .203 against him in that time. This will be his first time facing the Tigers.

Rick Porcello, who will counter for Detroit, had won five straight decisions until suffering a loss to the Twins on Tuesday. The righty gave up seven hits and five runs in 4 1/3 frames. His lone career start against the Mets ended in disaster when he surrendered 11 hits and seven runs over 3 2/3 innings in a 14-3 loss on June 28, 2011.

In addition to recording his first hit since 2009, Max Scherzer struck out 11 batters over six scoreless innings to lift the Tigers over Matt Harvey and the Mets, 3-0, Saturday afternoon.

Not only did Scherzer become the first 19-game winner in the majors Saturday, but he also became only the third pitcher in major league history to win at least 19 of his first 20 decisions in a season.

The 29-year-old Scherzer (19-1) gave up three hits and walked four batters, while Harvey (9-5) allowed two runs on a career-high 13 hits over 6 2/3 innings.

"It's something that was just fun to be a part of," Scherzer said. "I always enjoy facing the best. I've always said you measure yourself. You never measure yourself against the worst. When you have a chance to face one of the best pitchers in the NL you always want to bring your 'A' game."

Saturday marked the first time in major league history that the All-Star Game starting pitchers faced each other in a regular-season game in the same season.

"Today I couldn't throw a slider for a strike," Harvey said. "I didn't really throw it that well at all."

Miguel Cabrera has reached base in 27 straight games for the Tigers, who enter Sunday with a six-game lead on Cleveland in the AL Central. Detroit is 11-5 against NL competition this year.