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DETROIT TIGERS (45-44) vs. BALTIMORE ORIOLES (44-45)

LHP David Price (9-2, 2.38) vs. RHP Chris Tillman (6-7, 5.40)
Saturday, July 18, 2015 at 7:08 p.m.
Comerica Park, Detroit, MI

RECENT RESULTS: The Tigers opened the second half of the season with a 7-3 win over the Orioles on Friday night at Comerica Park. Jose Iglesias, J.D. Martinez and Victor Martinez each hit a home run in the victory, while Anthony Gose was 2×3 with two doubles and a RBI. Anibal Sanchez started for the Tigers and earned his ninth win of the season, allowing two runs on eight hits with two walks and three strikeouts in 6.0 innings. The Tigers and Orioles play game two of their three-game series tonight. Following the series vs. Baltimore, the seven-game homestand continues with four games vs. the Seattle Mariners.

SANCHEZ WINS SIXTH STRAIGHT: Anibal Sanchez extended his winning streak to six games last night, allowing two runs on eight hits with two walks and three strikeouts in 6.0 innings. Sanchez’s six-decision winning streak is tied for the second-longest of his career and is the longest since he won seven straight decisions from July 24-September 11, 2013. Over his last seven starts, Sanchez has a 6- 0 record with a 2.86 ERA (50.1IP/16ER) and 40 strikeouts.

EVERYDAY I’M HOMERIN’: J.D. Martinez hit his 26th home run of the season in last night’s game. Martinez’s 26 home runs are tied for the second most in the American League. Over his last 20 games, Martinez has hit 13 homers and driven in 25 runs. Martinez enters tonight’s game with a home run every 2.81 at bats, which ranks third in the American League.

HARDY ON A ROLL: Blaine Hardy worked a scoreless inning with one strikeout in last night’s game. Hardy has not allowed a run in each of his last six outings and has given up just two runs in his last 15 outings. Over his last 15 appearances, Hardy has a 1-0 record with three holds, a 1.04 ERA (17.1IP/2ER), nine hits allowed, five walks and 16 strikeouts.

GETTING OFFENSIVE: The Tigers offense has posted impressive numbers in the month of July. In 13 games this month, Detroit is hitting .309 (143×463) with 74 runs scored, 27 doubles, four triples, 22 home runs and 71 RBI. The Tigers .309 batting average this month leads the American League, while they are also first in runs scored, hits, doubles and home runs. The Tigers are second in the AL with 5.69 runs per game in July.

GOSE, VMART ON THE MARK VS. TILLMAN: Anthony Gose and Victor Martinez have each fared well in their career against tonight’s Orioles starter, Chris Tillman. Gose is batting .500 (6×12) with a double and a triple vs. Tillman, while Martinez is hitting .400 (4×10) with a double and two RBI. Among active players with at least 10 at bats vs. Tillman, Gose’s batting average ranks tied for third, while Martinez’s average ranks tied for 10th.

KINSLER ON TARGET VS. BALTIMORE: Ian Kinsler has had success in his career against the Baltimore Orioles. In 65 career games vs. Baltimore, Kinsler has a .328 (88×268) batting average with 51 runs scored, 15 doubles, one triple, 11 home runs and 44 RBI. Kinsler has hit safely in 22 of his last 26 games against Baltimore and has 12 multi-hit games during that stretch.

DETROIT TIGERS FOUNDATION 50/50 RAFFLE: The Detroit Tigers Foundation 50/50 Charity Raffle continues at Comerica Park this season. This weekend, the raffle will happen on Friday and Saturday. The partner charity for this weekend’s 50/50 raffle is the American Diabetes Association. The mission of the American Diabetes Association is to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes. Tickets will be sold on a digital platform and are three for $5, 10 for $10 and 40 for $20. The winner will be announced on the Comerica Park scoreboard before the end of the game. The 50/50 Charity Raffle program has raised more than $991,045.75 for charity with the single largest one-game prize of the program being $17,039.50.

TONIGHT’S TIDBITS

• The ceremonial first pitches will be thrown by Michael Herrmann, representing Real Life 101 and Tigers fan Brandon Rosely.
• Saturday Night Fireworks presented by Pepsi (weather permitting).
• The national anthem will be performed by Detroit Stars singing competition winner from Negro Leagues Weekend, Lynn Dillard.

TIGERS AT A GLANCE

Record: 45-44 / Streak: W1
Game #90 / Home #47
Home: 23-23 / Road 22-21

TIGERS VS. ORIOLES

2015 Record: 1-0
2015 at Home: 1-0
2015 at Baltimore: 0-0
All-Time Record: 1,046-947-11
All-Time at Home: 566-439-3
All-Time at Comerica Park: 26-26
All-Time at Baltimore: 480-508-8

2015 GAME LOG

STREAKS

Last five games: 2-3
Last 10 games: 5-5
Last 15 games: 7-8
Last 20 games: 10-10

This content was originally published on July 18, 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.