DETROIT TIGERS (51-55) vs. KANSAS CITY ROYALS (63-42)
LHP Matt Boyd (0-2, 14.85) vs. RHP Johnny Cueto (7-6, 2.70)
Wednesday, August 5, 2015 at 7:08 p.m.
Comerica Park, Detroit, MI
RECENT RESULTS: The Tigers opened their six-game homestand with a 5-1 loss to the Kansas City Royals on Tuesday night at Comerica Park. Nick Castellanos went 3×4 with a triple in the loss, while Victor Martinez added a RBI single. Justin Verlander started for Detroit and suffered the loss, allowing five runs on 10 hits with five strikeouts in 7.0 innings. The Tigers and Royals play game two of their three-game series tonight. Following the series vs. Kansas City, the homestand continues with three games vs. Boston.
BOYD RECALLED FROM TRIPLE A TOLEDO, VALDEZ OPTIONED: Following last night’s game, the Tigers announced that they have recalled the contract of lefthanded pitcher Matt Boyd from Triple A Toledo and he will start tonight’s game vs. Kansas City. In 19 starts in the minor leagues this season, Boyd has compiled a 9-2 record with a 1.65 ERA (114.2IP/21ER) and 108 strikeouts. In a corresponding move, the Tigers announced that
they have optioned the contract of righthanded pitcher Jose Valdez to Toledo.
NICK AT NITE: Nick Castellanos went 3×4 with a triple in last night’s game. The performance was Castellanos’ 20th multi-hit game this season and his fourth game with three-or-more hits. The triple for Castellanos was his fifth this season, which ranks tied for 11th in the American League.
GETTIN’ IGGY WITH IT: Jose Iglesias went 1×4 in last night’s game. Iglesias has hit safely in 12 of his last 15 games and is batting .344 (21×61) with 12 runs scored, seven doubles, one triple and three RBI during the stretch. Iglesias enters tonight’s game ranked fourth in the American League with 10.03 plate appearances per strikeout and sixth with a .317 batting average.
NO FREE PASSES: Justin Verlander did not allow a walk in 7.0 innings of work in last night’s game, marking the third straight start he has not allowed a free pass. Verlander extended his streak of not allowing a walk to 23.0 consecutive innings, which is the longest streak of his career.
HARDY ON A ROLL: Blaine Hardy pitched a scoreless inning in last night’s game. Hardy has allowed just two earned runs in his last 14 outings. Over his last 14 appearances, Hardy has a 1.64 ERA (11.0IP/2ER) with nine hits allowed, three walks and 11 strikeouts. Hardy currently ranks 17th among American League relievers with a 2.49 ERA (47.0IP/13ER).
J.D. ON TARGET VS. KANSAS CITY: J.D. Martinez has had success in his career against the Kansas City Royals. In 32 career games vs. the Royals, Martinez is hitting .339 (37×109) with 17 runs scored, eight doubles, six home runs and 17 RBI. Martinez
CENTRAL FOCUS: The Tigers have gone 27-18 this season against teams from the American League Central, going 7-5 vs. Chicago, 9-3 vs. Cleveland, 3-5 vs. Kansas City and 8-5 vs. Minnesota. Since the start of the 2011 season, Detroit has posted a .616 winning percentage vs. teams from the AL Central, going 210-131.
TONIGHT’S TIDBITS
- The national anthem will be performed by the Singing Crusaders.
- The ceremonial first pitch will be thrown by Tigers Fan, James Schlip.
TIGERS AT A GLANCE
Record: 51-55 / Streak: L1
Game #107 / Home #54
Home: 25-28 / Road 26-27
TIGERS VS. ROYALS
2015 Record: 3-5
2015 at Home: 1-3
2015 at Kansas City: 2-2
All-Time Record: 318-316
All-Time at Home: 167-152
All-Time at Comerica Park: 75-65
All-Time at Kansas City: 151-164
2015 GAME LOG
| Date | Site | Result | Winner/Loser/Save |
| 4/30 | KC | L, 8-1 | Duffy/Simon |
| 5/1 | KC | L, 4-1 | Young/Lobstein/Davis |
| 5/2 | KC | W, 2-1 | PRICE/Volquez |
| 5/3 | KC | W, 6-4 | Sanchez/Guthrie/Soria |
| 5/8 | DET | W, 6-5 | Soria/Pino |
| 5/9 | DET | L, 6-2 | Guthrie/Sanchez |
| 5/10 | DET | L, 2-1 (10) | Fraser/Nesbitt/Holland |
| 8/4 | DET | L, 5-1 | Duffy/Verlander |
| 8/5 | DET | ||
| 8/6 | DET | ||
| 8/10 | KC | ||
| 8/11 | KC | ||
| 8/12 | KC | ||
| 9/1 | KC | ||
| 9/2 | KC | ||
| 9/3 | KC | ||
| 9/18 | DET | ||
| 9/19 | DET | ||
| 9/20 | DET |
STREAKS
Last five games: 2-3
Last 10 games: 4-6
Last 15 games: 6-9
Last 20 games: 8-12
This content was originally published on August 5, 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.
