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DETROIT TIGERS (34-30) vs. CINCINNATI REDS (28-35)

LHP Kyle Ryan (1-0, 2.08) vs. RHP Michael Lorenzen (1-2, 4.01)
Tuesday, June 16, 2015 at 7:08 p.m.
Comerica Park, Detroit, MI

RECENT RESULTS: The Tigers opened their series against the Reds with a 6-0 win on Monday night at Comerica Park. Anibal Sanchez tossed his first shutout since 2013, allowing only two hits and striking out seven. J.D. Martinez hit his 13th home run of the season and went 2×4 with a run scored and two RBI. Miguel Cabrera drove in two runs and went 2×4 with a run scored and a double. The Tigers conclude their seven-game homestand tonight with the series finale vs. Cincinnati. Following tonight’s game, the Tigers hit the road for an eight-game trip, which includes two games at Cincinnati, three games at New York and three games at Cleveland.

TIGERS SIGN FIVE SELECTIONS FROM 2015 DRAFT: The Tigers today announced the club has agreed to terms with five selections from the 2015 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft. Today’s group includes third baseman Josh Lester from the University of Missouri (13th round), rightfielder Joseph Havrilak from the University of Akron (18th round), righthanded pitcher Logan Longwith of Tennessee Wesleyan College (20th round), catcher Tyler Servais from Princeton University (27th round) and second baseman Patrick Mackenzie from Central Michigan University (28th round).

SANCHEZ GOES THE DISTANCE, EXTENDS SCORELESS STREAK: Anibal Sanchez tossed the eighth shutout of his career last night vs. the Reds, allowing only two hits and striking out seven. The shutout was the first for Sanchez since May 24, 2013 vs. Minnesota. With his nine scoreless innings in last night’s game, Sanchez extended his streak of not allowing a run to 20.2 innings, dating back to June 3 vs. Oakland. The streak is the second longest of his career, trailing only a 23.0 consecutive innings scoreless streak from July 6 -25, 2006.

START ME UP: Anibal Sanchez’s performance last night continued a string of impressive performances by Tigers starting pitchers. Over the last eight games, Detroit’s starters have compiled a 1.46 ERA (55.2IP/9ER) with 38 hits allowed, 10 walks and 50 strikeouts. During the stretch, Tigers starting pitchers have held the opposition to a .198 batting average.

J.D. POWER: J.D. Martinez hit his 13th home run of the season in last night’s game, a two-run shot in the sixth inning. Martinez ranks tied for eighth in the American League with 13 homers. Martinez has now homered in three straight games, which is tied for the longest streak of his career (also, June 18-20, 2014). With a home run in tonight’s game, Martinez would be the first Tigers player to homer in four straight games since Miguel Cabrera from August 9-12, 2013.

INTERLEAGUE HAPPENINGS: The Tigers are 7-5 in Interleague play this season after going 1-1 vs. Chicago, 1-0 vs. Cincinnati, 1-2 vs. Milwaukee, 2-1 vs. Pittsburgh and 2-1 vs. St. Louis. Since Interleague Play began in 1997, the Tigers have compiled a 183-152 record.

ALL-STAR VOTING STILL OPEN: Voting has started for Major League Baseball’s 86th All-Star Game held at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati. MLB’s All-Star Balloting Program is the largest of its kind in professional sports and this year will be conducted exclusively online. Fans around the world can cast their votes for position starts 35 times by visiting tigers.com/vote. Voting is open now through July 2 and fans are encouraged to vote early and often. Last year, Miguel Cabrera was elected as the American League’s starting first baseman, marking the second time he has been selected to start an All-Star Game.

SANCHEZ’S LITTLE SMILES: Anibal Sanchez and his wife Ana, along with the Detroit Tigers Foundation, an affiliate of Ilitch Charities, launched the program Sanchez’s Little Smiles. The program provides families the opportunity to escape their daily hardships and enjoy an evening together while watching Tigers baseball at Comerica Park. The participating families are selected in partnership with local charitable organizations focused on serving the needs of families faced with the challenges of caring for children with health concerns and other adversities. Tonight Sanchez’s Little Smiles will host children and families from COTS (Coalition on Temporary Shelter).

TONIGHT’S TIDBITS

• The national anthem will be performed by vocal group Justified.
• Children’s Health Night: This year the club is partnering with Children’s Hospital of Michigan Foundation to promote injury prevention awareness and summer safety tips as children and their families head into the summer months. A pregame on-field ceremony will recognize families that have benefitted from the support of CHM Foundation. Fans can visit the summer-time safety tips activation area on the Comerica Park concourse to receive CHM Foundation information, hand sanitizers, educational materials and a special dental hygiene goodie bag, while supplies last, courtesy of CHM Foundation partner Bright Side Dental. A representative of CHM Foundation will throw out the ceremonial first pitch.

TIGERS AT A GLANCE

Record: 34-30 / Streak: W2
Game #65 / Home #36
Home: 18-17 / Road 16-13

TIGERS VS. REDS

2015 Record: 1-0
2015 at Home: 1-0
2015 at Cincinnati: 0-0
All-Time Record: 11-8
All-Time at Home: 5-5
All-Time at Comerica Park: 5-2
All-Time at Cincinnati: 6-3

2015 GAME LOG

STREAKS

Last five games: 3-2
Last 10 games: 6-4
Last 15 games: 6-9
Last 20 games: 8-12

This content was originally published on June 16, 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.