Detroit Tigers Notes And Quotes 8-4-11

--RHP Doug Fister pitched seven solid innings in his Detroit debut. Fister, obtained July 30 from Seattle as part of a six-player deal, had no walks or strikeouts, but he worked ahead of the hitters almost constantly, and one of the three runs he allowed was unearned. He reached 99 pitches and was taken out after working the seventh. His victory was the first by a Detroit starter outside the top four since June 13 and was only the fifth of the season by the No. 5 guy.

--C Alex Avila had no home runs in July but already has two in a pair of games in August. Avila belted his 12th in the sixth inning, a solo shot that broke a 3-3 tie. Avila also had an RBI single, an opposite-field blow to left, in the second. He now has five RBI in two games this month after driving in just one run last month. He had a game off last week and Detroit didn't play Monday, so Avila has gotten a little rest lately, which seems to have helped.

--RHP Joaquin Benoit bounced back nicely from allowing three game-tying runs Tuesday night. Benoit relieved after LHP Phil Coke gave up a single to the only batter he faced leading off the seventh. Benoit got a double play on a 3-2 pitch and then a groundout to finish his night's work.

--RHP Jose Valverde now has 30th saves in 30 chances after nailing down RHP Doug Fister's win in his first game with Detroit. Valverde allowed a solo home run, but Detroit had a two-run lead, and it was the only baserunner he allowed in his second straight appearance and third game in the Tigers' last three. Valverde's streak trails only that of Willie Hernandez, who had 32 straight in 1984, when he won the American League Most Valuable Player and Cy Young Award. Dating back to last year, Valverde has 32 straight saves.

--RHP Brad Penny makes his 15th start in a day game Thursday when he pitches against Texas. Penny has only started seven night games, but none since July 1 against San Francisco. It's been strictly luck of the draw for Penny, as manager Jim Leyland hasn't made a conscious effort to have Penny pitch in daylight.

--2B/LF Ryan Raburn got things started and finished for Detroit. Raburn, in the lineup to give veteran 2B Carlos Guillen a game off, lined an RBI single to right in the second to help the Tigers get off to a 2-0 start in the inning. In the eighth, he belted his 10th home run of the season, his third hit of the game. Raburn's blow gave the Tigers a 5-3 lead they would need in a 5-4 victory over Texas. Raburn's playing time has been cut with the return of Guillen, but he's still hit well in sparse playing time.

BY THE NUMBERS
5 -- Victories by Detroit starters outside the top four of RHPs Justin Verlander, Max Scherzer, Rick Porcello and Brad Penny. The latest, and first since June 13, came Wednesday from newly acquired RHP Doug Fister, who allowed three runs (two earned) and eight hits in seven innings against Texas.

QUOTE TO NOTE
"Basically, I'll try to keep things simple. I like to use my defense. I'd be foolish not to use it here." -- RHP Doug Fister, who allowed eight hits in his seven-inning debut for Detroit. He didn't walk anybody and kept the ball inside Comerica Park to win his Detroit debut, 5-4 over Texas.

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