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DETROIT TIGERS (47-47) vs. SEATTLE MARINERS (43-52)

LHP David Price (9-3, 2.32) vs. RHP Hisashi Iwakuma (2-1, 4.89)
Thursday, July 23, 2015 at 1:08 p.m.
Comerica Park, Detroit, MI

RECENT RESULTS: The Tigers scored eight runs in the third inning en route to a 9-4 win over the Mariners on Wednesday night at Comerica Park. Ian Kinsler put together a four-hit performance, scoring two runs, doubling twice and driving in one run. Nick Castellanos added a pair of hits, including the first grand slam of his major league career, while Jose Iglesias and James McCann each had two hits. Anibal Sanchez won his seventh straight decision, allowing four runs on nine hits with two walks and six strikeouts in 6.2 innings. The Tigers and Mariners conclude their four-game series this afternoon. Following today’s game, the Tigers begin a 10-game road trip, which includes three games at Boston, three games at Tampa Bay and four games at Baltimore.

KINSLER PILING UP THE MULTI-HIT GAMES: Ian Kinsler went 4×5 with two runs scored, two doubles and one RBI in last night’s game. The performance marked Kinsler’s third four-hit game of the season and the 14th of his career. Kinsler now has 34 multi-hit games this season, which ranks tied for third in the American League. In 18 games in July, Kinsler is hitting .375 (27×72) with 11 runs scored, seven doubles, one triple, three home runs and 12 RBI. Kinsler’s .375 batting average during July ranks fourth in the American League.

SANCHEZ EXTENDS WINNING STREAK TO SEVEN: Anibal Sanchez won his seventh straight decision last night, allowing four runs on nine hits with two walks and six strikeouts in 6.2 innings. The winning streak is the longest in the American League this season and is tied for the longest streak of Sanchez’s career, equaling a streak of seven straight wins from July 24-September 11, 2013. During the eight-start stretch, Sanchez has a 7-0 record with a 3.16 ERA (57.0IP/20ER) and 46 strikeouts.

NICK IS GRAND: Nick Castellanos belted the first grand slam of his major league career and went 2×3 with a run scored and four RBI in last night’s win. According to ESPN Stats & Info, the distance on Castellanos’ grand slam was calculated at 448 feet, which is the longest home run of his career. Castellanos has enjoyed facing the Mariners in 2015, posting a .500 (11×22) batting average with eight runs scored, four home runs and 13 RBI in six games vs. Seattle this season.

SORIA RECORDS 200TH CAREER SAVE: Joakim Soria pitched 1.1 scoreless innings in last night’s game, allowing one hit and one walk. The save marked the 200th of Soria’s career and his 22nd of the season. Soria is the 48th pitcher in major league history to reach the 200-save mark.

RUN AT YOUR OWN RISK: J.D. Martinez picked up his 11th outfield assist of the season last night, throwing out Seth Smith at second base. The 11 outfield assists for Martinez rank second in the American League and are the most by a Tigers outfielder since Craig Monroe had 12 outfield assists in 2006.

PLAYING FOR THE BIG INNING: The Tigers put together their best offensive inning of the season in the third inning of last night’s game, scoring eight runs on five hits. The eight runs were the most in an inning by the Tigers this season and the most since they also scored eight runs on July 10, 2014 at Kansas City.

THREE TIGERS ON TARGET VS. IWAKUMA: Yoenis Cespedes and Ian Kinsler have each put up impressive numbers against today’s Mariners starter, Hisashi Iwakuma. Cespedes is batting .407 (11×27) in his career vs. Iwakuma with five doubles, four home runs and seven RBI, while Kinsler is hitting .346 (9×26) with one double, three home runs and three RBI. Among active players with at least 10 at bats vs. Iwakuma, Cespedes’ batting average ranks third, while Kinsler’s ranks eighth. In more limited at bats vs. Iwakuma, Victor Martinez is hitting .556 (5×9) with two home runs and four RBI.

VMART ON THE MARK VS. THE MARINERS: Victor Martinez has had success in his career against the Mariners. In 78 career games vs. Seattle, Martinez is hitting .323 (95×294) with 32 runs scored, 19 doubles, 12 home runs and 56 RBI. Martinez has hit safely in 18 of his last 22 games against the Mariners and has 11 multi-hit games during the stretch.

TODAY’S TIDBITS

• The national anthem will be performed by Cantor Joel Coleman.
• The ceremonial first pitch will be thrown by Tigers fan Rob O’Reilly.

TIGERS AT A GLANCE

Record: 47-47 / Streak: W1
Game #95 / Home #52
Home: 25-26 / Road 22-21

TIGERS VS. MARINERS

2015 Record: 4-2
2015 at Home: 2-1
2015 at Seattle: 2-1
All-Time Record: 209-180-1
All-Time at Home: 118-80-1
All-Time at Comerica Park: 35-34
All-Time at Seattle: 91-100

2015 GAME LOG

STREAKS

Last five games: 2-2
Last 10 games: 4-6
Last 15 games: 7-8
Last 20 games: 9-11

This content was originally published on July 23, 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.