• 1

DETROIT TIGERS (46-46) vs. SEATTLE MARINERS (42-51)

RHP Shane Greene (4-7, 6.23) vs. RHP Taijuan Walker (7-7, 4.84)
Tuesday, July 21, 2015 at 7:08 p.m.
Comerica Park, Detroit, MI

RECENT RESULTS: The Tigers snapped a two-game losing streak on Monday night with a come-from-behind 5-4 win over the Mariners at Comerica Park. Ian Kinsler hit a pair of home runs in the victory, including a go-ahead, two-run blast in the bottom of the eighth inning. James McCann also added a pair of hits and drove in two runs. Al Alburquerque picked up his first win of the season, working a scoreless inning with one hit allowed and two strikeouts. Joakim Soria pitched a perfect ninth inning to notch his 21st save. The Tigers and Mariners play game two of their four-game series tonight. Following the series vs. Seattle, 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 GOES DEEP TWICE: Ian Kinsler hit a pair of home runs in last night’s win, hitting a solo shot in the first inning and then belting a go-ahead, two-run home run in the bottom of the eighth. It marked Kinsler’s 13th career multi-homer game and his first since September 7, 2011 at Tampa Bay. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Kinsler was the fourth major-league player this season to homer in the first inning and then hit a game-winning home run in the eighth inning or later, joining Josh Donaldson (May 26), Evan Gattis (May 3) and Luis Valbuena (April 20).

McCANN DO ATTITUDE: James McCann went 2×2 with a double and two RBI in last night’s win. McCann has now hit safely in nine of his last 10 games and is batting .432 (16×37) with six runs scored, two doubles, one triple, two home runs and nine RBI during the stretch. McCann’s performance on Monday night marked his 17th multi-hit game this season, which ranks second among American League rookies. McCann also ranks tied for third among AL rookies with 57 hits and 12 doubles, tied for fourth with 23 RBI, 87 total bases, three triples and 19 extra base hits and fifth with a .282 batting average, .321 on-base percentage and .431 slugging percentage.

HARDY ON A ROLL: Blaine Hardy worked 1.1 scoreless innings with one hit allowed and one strikeout in last night’s game. Hardy has not allowed a run in each of his last seven outings and has given up just two runs in his last 16 outings. Over his last 16 appearances, Hardy has a 1-0 record with three holds, a 0.96 ERA (18.2IP/2ER), 10 hits allowed, five walks and 17 strikeouts. Hardy currently ranks 18th among American League relievers with a 2.30 ERA (43.0IP/11ER).

VMART ON THE MARK VS. THE MARINERS: Victor Martinez has had success in his career against the Mariners. In 76 career games vs. Seattle, Martinez is hitting .326 (93×285) with 31 runs scored, 19 doubles, 12 home runs and 56 RBI. Martinez has hit safely in 16 of his last 20 games against the Mariners and has 11 multi-hit games during the stretch.

SANCHEZ’S LITTLE SMILES: Through the generosity of Tigers pitcher Anibal Sanchez and his wife Ana, the Sanchez family invites 19 guests to attend a Tigers baseball game in a grand fashion. The special evening includes tickets to the Sanchez Family’s suite, Sanchez’s Little Smiles t-shirts, ballpark fare catering and an autographed photo signed by Anibal Sanchez. 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. Sanchez’s Little Smiles provides families the opportunity to escape their daily struggles and enjoy an evening together while watching Tigers baseball at Comerica Park. On July 21, families from Variety, the Children’s Charity attend the game through Sanchez’s Little Smiles. The guests of Sanchez’s Little Smiles have the opportunity to watch batting practice from the field and meet Anibal Sanchez.

KINSLER’S KIDS: Through the program, the Kinsler family hosts 90 guests in partnership with The Birthday Party Project, which 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 (COTS).

CHRISTMAS IN JULY: Why wait until December to celebrate the holiday season? Christmas in July, sponsored by the Parade Company, returns to Comerica Park on Tuesday. Santa Claus will pose for pictures at Gate A with fans and participate in the “Prance Around the Park” pre-game on-field parade featuring 250 Salvation Army Day Campers, the Detroit Tigers Kids Club Grand Marshall and The Grinch and Cirque Dreams Holidaze performers, who will also be appearing on the concourse prior to the 7:08 p.m. start. Musical entertainment for the special occasion includes Christmas music throughout the ballpark, The Salvation Army Brass Bands and Bell Choir and Vincent York’s Jazzistry. Salvation Army Red Kettles will be located at all entrances to the ballpark so fans can help celebrate the season of giving.

TONIGHT’S TIDBITS

• The national anthem will be performed by the Rob Bourassa.
• The ceremonial first pitch will be thrown by Santa Claus. 
• The first 10,000 fans will receive Red Clown Noses, courtesy of The Parade Company.

TIGERS AT A GLANCE

Record: 46-46 / Streak: W1
Game #93 / Home #50
Home: 24-25 / Road 22-21

TIGERS VS. MARINERS

2015 Record: 3-1
2015 at Home: 1-0
2015 at Seattle: 2-1
All-Time Record: 208-179-1
All-Time at Home: 117-79-1
All-Time at Comerica Park: 34-33
All-Time at Seattle: 91-100

2015 GAME LOG

STREAKS

Last five games: 2-3
Last 10 games: 4-6
Last 15 games: 7-8
Last 20 games: 9-11

This content was originally published on July 21, 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.