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DETROIT TIGERS (39-36) vs. PITTSBURGH PIRATES (42-33)

RHP Justin Verlander (0-1, 6.17) vs. RHP Gerrit Cole (11-3, 2.16)
Tuesday, June 30, 2015 at 7:08 p.m.
Comerica Park, Detroit, MI

RECENT RESULTS: The Tigers scored five runs in the final two innings to rally from a 4-0 deficit and defeat the White Sox 5-4 on Sunday afternoon at Comerica Park. After tying the game with four runs in the bottom of the eighth, James McCann hit a walk-off solo homer in the bottom of the ninth to give the Tigers the win. McCann finished the game 2×4 with two runs scored, a homer and a RBI, while Victor Martinez hit a game-tying, three-run double. Ian Kinsler also had a hit and a RBI. Joakim Soria picked up his third win of the season, throwing a scoreless inning with one strikeout. The Tigers continue their nine-game homestand tonight as they begin a three-game Interleague series vs. the Pittsburgh Pirates. Following the series vs. Pittsburgh, the homestand concludes with three games against the Toronto Blue Jays.

McCANN WALKS IT OFF: James McCann hit his second walk-off home run of the season on Sunday, blasting a one-out solo homer in the bottom of the ninth off of Zach Putnam. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, McCann is the first rookie in Tigers history to hit two walk-off homers in one season and the first rookie to do so for any team since the Angels’ Mark Trumbo in 2011. McCann is the first Tiger to hit two walk-off home runs in a season since Brandon Inge in 2011. Two of McCann’s first three career home runs have been of the walk-off variety. According to STATS Inc., McCann is the third player in major league history to accomplish that, joining Kirby Higby and Kevin Romine, the father of Tigers infielder Andrew Romine.

HAIL TO THE VICTOR: Victor Martinez went 1×4 with a double and three RBI in Sunday’s win vs. Chicago. In nine games since returning from the disabled list, Martinez is hitting .324 (12×37) with six runs scored, three doubles, one home run and 10 RBI.

CABRERA MOVING UP THE TIGERS TOTAL BASES LIST: Miguel Cabrera begins tonight’s game with 2,546 total bases as a member of the Tigers, which ranks 12th in franchise history. Cabrera is three total bases away from tying Willie Horton for 11th in club history with 2,549 total bases.

STREAKING: Rajai Davis enters tonight’s game on a seven-game hitting streak. Over his last seven games, Davis is batting .333 (8×24) with five runs scored, two doubles, one home run and one RBI.

INTERLEAGUE HAPPENINGS: The Tigers are 7-7 in Interleague play this season after going 1-1 vs. Chicago, 1-2 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 183-154 record.

#VOTETIGERS: Voting continues 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 starters 35 times by visiting tigers.com/vote. Voting is open now through July 2 and fans are encouraged to vote early and often. Miguel Cabrera regained his lead for first baseman this past week, while Yoenis Cespedes is closing in on an outfield start. Other Tigers players are near the tops of their position lists, so make your 35 votes count and VOTE TIGERS!

KINSLER’S KIDS: Through the program, the Kinsler family hosts 90 guests in partnership with The Birthday Party Project who brings joy to homeless children through the magic of birthdays. During the summer months, The Birthday Party Project will celebrate its monthly birthday parties at Comerica Park with all the bells and whistles. All guests are treated to a Detroit Tigers game, receive ballpark fare dinner, a cupcake and a Kinsler’s Kids t-shirt. The children celebrating their birthdays that month also receive a personalized authentic Detroit Tigers jersey and an autographed photo signed by Ian Kinsler. The children and families are selected by The Birthday Party Project in conjunction with Coalition on Temporary Shelter.

VERLANDER’S VICTORY FOR VETERANS: When Justin Verlander takes the mound at Comerica Park, he strives for victory. This season, his outings on the hill take on a new meaning. For each of his home starts, Verlander hosts Veterans from Veterans Affairs Medical Centers throughout the state of Michigan. These Veterans sustained injuries or illness in Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom or in Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom. The Veterans along with their families cheer on the Tigers from the comfort of Verlander’s personal luxury suite. After serving our country, the special day provides American veterans the opportunity to enjoy a Tigers game with their family. Veterans share 18 luxury suite tickets and parking passes in the Tigers Parking Garage. Food and beverage is provided for the guests courtesy of Verlander. Veterans receive a personalized welcome letter from Verlander and a Verlander’s Victory for Veterans t-shirt. When you see Verlander on the mound, he is not only playing for his team and Tigers fans around the world, he is also playing for America’s heroes.

TONIGHT’S TIDBITS

• The game ball will be delivered by Specialist Derek Allgier of the United States Army from Genoa, OH.
• The first pitch will be thrown by University of Michigan’s head football coach, Jim Harbaugh.
• The national anthem will be performed by vocalist, Michael Greene.

TIGERS AT A GLANCE

Record: 39-36 / Streak: W2
Game #76 / Home #40
Home: 20-19 / Road 19-17

TIGERS VS. PIRATES

2015 Record: 2-1
2015 at Home: 0-0
2015 at Pittsburgh: 2-1
All-Time Record: 23-21
All-Time at Home: 13-6
All-Time at Comerica Park: 11-5
All-Time at Pittsburgh: 10-15

2015 GAME LOG

STREAKS

Last five games: 3-2
Last 10 games: 5-5
Last 15 games: 8-7
Last 20 games: 11-9

This content was originally published on June 30, 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.