Tigers Today: July 23, 2010

Tigers’ Record:

50-44, 2nd place; 2 GB Chicago

Today’s Game

Tigers vs. Blue Jays | 7:05 p.m. ET – Comerica Park | On the air: FSD/AM 1270 and 97.1 FM

Pitching Matchup

Rick Porcello (4-7, 5.63 ERA) vs. RHP Shaun Marcum (8-4, 3.36 ERA)

Yesterday’s Results

Tigers 5 – Blue Jays 2

• W: Justin Verlander (12-5)
• L: Ricky Romero (7-7)
• Save: Jose Valverde (20)

Tigers History Lesson

Today’s Birthdays

• Johnny Groth, 84

On this Date in Tigers History

• 2002 — The Tigers acquired infielder David Espinosa and two players to be named (outfielder Noochie Varner and RHP Jorge Cordova) from the Reds for RHP Brian Moehler, infielder Matt Boone and cash considerations.

• 1961 — Using 21 pitchers, the Tigers (11) and A’s (10) set an American League record for most hurlers used in an 18-inning doubleheader. At three hours, 54 minutes, the second game is the longest nine-inning contest in A.L. history. The entire doubleheader lasts six hours, 50 minutes, a major league record. The Tigers sweep 6-4 and 17-14, taking first place by one percentage point.

• 1959 — With Ty Cobb in the stands, the Tigers make 15 hits to beat the Senators, 11-2. Harvey Kuenn, the American League’s leading hitter, is 4-for-4 and scores four runs. Jim Bunning allows four hits to win.

• 1956 — Hank Greenberg and Red Sox legend Joe Cronin are officially inducted into the Hall of Fame.

• 1926 — The Tigers and Senators take the unheard of time of two hours and 40 minutes to play nine innings. Detroit’s 19 hits give them a 9-6 win, but much of the time is consumed by manager Ty Cobb’s arguing over a balk call, then trying to have a heckling fan removed from the stands.

• 1922 — When umpires Brick Owens and Tom Connolly miss a train, the Tigers’ and Browns’ trainers, Bits Bierhalter and Dan Howley, are pressed into service.