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DETROIT TIGERS (40-39) vs. TORONTO BLUE JAYS (42-40)

LHP David Price (7-2, 2.62) vs. RHP R.A. Dickey (3-8, 4.85)
Saturday, July 4, 2015 at 1:08 p.m.
Comerica Park, Detroit, MI

RECENT RESULTS: The Tigers snapped their three-game losing streak with an 8-6 win over the Blue Jays on Friday night at Comerica Park. Victor Martinez had three hits and scored two runs in the win, while Miguel Cabrera, Anthony Gose and J.D. Martinez each had two hits. Anibal Sanchez started for Detroit and earned his seventh win of the season, giving up four runs on three hits with three walks and five strikeouts in 7.1 innings. The Tigers and Blue Jays play game two of their three-game series this afternoon. Following this weekend’s series, Detroit closes out the first half of the season with a seven-game road trip, which includes three games in Seattle and four games in Minnesota.

CABRERA PLACED ON 15-DAY DL, MARTE’S CONTRACT PURCHASED: The Tigers today announced they have placed first baseman Miguel Cabrera on the 15-day disabled list with a left calf strain. In a corresponding move, the Tigers have purchased the contract of infielder Jefry Marte from Triple A Toledo. Marte, who was named the International League Player of the Month for June, is hitting .271 (78×288) with 40 runs scored, 20 doubles, three triples, 13 home runs and 55 RBI in 77 games with the Mud Hens.

SENSATIONAL SANCHEZ: Anibal Sanchez extended his winning streak to four straight decisions by earning the victory in last night’s game. Sanchez carried a no hitter until one out in the eighth inning and finished the game by allowing four runs on three hits with three walks and five strikeouts in 7.1 innings. The performance marked Sanchez’s seventh straight start with 7.0-or-more innings, which is the longest streak of Sanchez’s career and the longest by a Tiger starting pitcher since Doug Fister had seven straight starts of 7.0-or-more innings from August 20-September 26, 2011.

EARNING HIS J.D.: J.D. Martinez recorded his 23rd multi-hit game of the season last night, finishing the game with a pair of hits, including a double, and two RBI. Martinez has hit safely in 14 of his last 17 games and is batting .366 (26×71) with 14 runs scored, three doubles, 11 home runs and 26 RBI during the stretch. Martinez enters today’s game ranked tied for second in the American League with 21 home runs, while he is tied for fourth with 162 total bases and 36 extra base hits, fifth with a .547 slugging percentage and tied for fifth with 53 RBI.

TODAY’S TIDBITS

• The game ball will be delivered by Staff Sergeant Garrett Pillow of the United States Air Force from Fenton, MI.
• The first 10,000 fans 21-and-over will receive a Tigers Patriotic Hat, courtesy of Miller Lite.

ARMED FORCES RECOGNITION CEREMONY: The Detroit Tigers celebrate the dedication and sacrifice of current and former members of the Armed Forces on Independence Day. Members of the Armed Forces and Veterans are invited to the field at Comerica Park and are recognized for their service to the United States Armed Forces prior to the start of the game. Nearly 500 service members and Veterans are invited to participate in the pregame ceremony. John Lamphere, Disabled American Veterans, Detroit Regional Office representing all Veterans and Lieutenant Colonel Doug Champagne, 127th Operations Group Commander from Selfridge Air National Guard Base representing all active service members each throw a ceremonial first pitch. Staff Sergeant Mario Jimenez of the 127th Wing of the United States Air Force sings the National Anthem and “God Bless America”. A Joint Services honor guard will present the colors during the National Anthem. All service members and Veterans who participate in the on-field recognition receive a patriotic Detroit Tigers t-shirt.

MVP (Military Veteran’s Program): While MVP – Mario Impemba’s salute to those who served is typically held on Monday home games, the July 4 game is a special edition of the program in honor of Independence Day. The group of 30 Veterans and guests receive a lower-bowl ticket to the Tigers game, a “MVP” t-shirt, a voucher for a BBQ dinner and an autographed photo of Tigers broadcaster Mario Impemba. The Veterans and guests arrive to the ballpark in style in the Fox Sports Detroit Fan Express. On July 4, in partnership with Fox Sports Supports, the Tigers partner with Folds of Honor. Folds of Honor seeks to meet this need by providing annual educational scholarships to the military families of those who have been killed or disabled while in active duty. These scholarships help support private education tuition, tutoring and educational summer camps for children K-12, as well as higher education tuition assistance for spouses and children.

TIGERS AT A GLANCE

Record: 40-39 / Streak: W1
Game #80 / Home #44
Home: 21-22 / Road 19-17

TIGERS VS. BLUE JAYS

2015 Record: 1-0
2015 at Home: 1-0
2015 at Toronto: 0-0
All-Time Record: 186-215
All-Time at Home: 99-101
All-Time at Comerica Park: 24-30
All-Time at Toronto: 87-114

2015 GAME LOG

STREAKS

Last five games: 2-3
Last 10 games: 5-5
Last 15 games: 6-9
Last 20 games: 9-11

This content was originally published on July 4, 2015. It was delivered electronically to specific media contacts and the entire Detroit Tigers front office staff, as well as being available to media in the press box and distributed to fans at program stands around Comerica Park.