Detroit Tigers
Matt Tuiasosopo is a pinch-hitting machine. Batting for Don Kelly in the sixth, Tuiasosopo laced a two-run double to center on the sixth pitch of his at-bat.
Alvarez pitched well in one previous start in place of Sanchez. He allowed one run one three hits and one walk while striking out seven on June 9 in a 4-1 win over the Cleveland Indians.
Chris Davis entered the game with 24 home runs. Taylor Teagarden had one hit. Both hit big home runs off Porcello in a six-run fourth inning for the Orioles.
Rick Porcello and the Detroit Tigers looks to take the rubber match in the final game of their three-game series against the Baltimore Orioles this afternoon at Comerica Park.
Jim Leyland said he considered giving Avisail Garcia or Matt Tuiasosopo a start today, but wanted to play the splits with right-hander Chris Tillman on the mound for Baltimore.
Inside the minors: Al Alburquerque racking up Ks in Triple-A Toledo, Bruce Rondon picks up 14th save
Right-handed reliever Al Alburquerque struck out five batters in 1 1/3 innings Monday for the Mud Hens and has struck out nine and walked only two in his last four innings pitched.
Excellent performances by other four starters have helped cover for not quite right Justin Verlander
The Tigers and their fans should consider themselves blessed that Verlander has eight wins and an ERA below 4.00 and -- right now, at least -- the Tigers have four other starters pitching better than he is.
Matt Tuiasosopo hasn't started many games this season. That may soon change given how well he's been hitting this year.
Both the home runs Verlander allowed immediately followed walks, which increased the damage as the Orioles built a 5-0 lead.
The Tigers had plenty of chances against the Orioles, but they came up short in a 5-2 loss. They stranded 10 runners and went 1-for-7 with runners in scoring position.
Justin Verlander is 8-0 with a 2.93 ERA in 12 career starts against Baltimore. He picked up a win over the Orioles on June 1 when he allowed allowed three runs in seven innings.
Monday's moves have led to rampant speculation as to who will be the odd man out when the team calls up Jose Alvarez on Thursday to fill Anibal Sanchez's turn in the rotation.
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