Detroit @ Baltimore preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 13, 2011 ) Detroit 6, Baltimore 5

THE STORY: The Detroit Tigers are becoming quite the experts at prevailing in one-run games. The Tigers have won a franchise-record eight straight one-run games entering Sunday’s finale of a three-game series with the host Baltimore Orioles. The Tigers defeated the Orioles by one run in each of the last two nights with Saturday’s nail-biter breaking the franchise record of seven straight such wins set in 1944. Detroit has won three straight overall and leads the Cleveland Indians by three games in the American League Central. Baltimore has lost three in a row and nine of its last 11.

TV: 1:35 p.m. ET, FS Detroit, MASN2 (Baltimore)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Tigers RH Doug Fister (4-12, 3.37 ERA) vs. Orioles LH Jo-Jo Reyes (5-9, 5.49).

Fister was acquired from the Seattle Mariners at the trade deadline and defeated Texas in his first start for the Tigers. Fister went only two innings in his last outing against Cleveland when he was pulled after a rain delay of more than two hours. He is 2-0 with a 3.26 ERA in three career starts against Baltimore, including a victory on May 30 when he allowed three runs and seven hits in 7 1/3 innings. Reyes makes his third appearance and second start since joining the Orioles. He lost to the Chicago White Sox in his first start for the club when he gave up four runs in four innings. Reyes was claimed off waivers in early August after the Toronto Blue Jays designated him for assignment. He lost to Detroit on May 8 in his only career start against the Tigers. He gave up five runs in seven innings.

ABOUT THE ORIOLES (45-72): Vladimir Guerrero finally reached double figures in homers when he hit his 10th on Saturday. Guerrero has hit 10 or more homers in 15 straight seasons. Second baseman Blake Davis hit his first major-league homer - a three-run shot that was confirmed by instant replay review. Third baseman Mark Reynolds didn’t start Saturday, but struck out as a pinch-hitter and is in a 1-for-22 funk. Reynolds has a team-high 26 homers but is batting only .212 and has struck out 136 times. Lefthander Brian Matusz could be recalled to inherit the starting spot of demoted Chris Tillman and make Tuesday’s start against the Oakland Athletics.

ABOUT THE TIGERS (64-55): Detroit is 19-13 overall in one-run games. Closer Jose Valverde recorded his 35th consecutive save Saturday. Each of his last eight saves has come in a one-run game and the Tigers are 57-0 when leading after eight innings. Detroit trailed 5-0 on Saturday and finally overcame the Orioles with a five-run sixth inning that featured Miguel Cabrera’s two-run homer and Ryan Raburn’s go-ahead, two-run single. Magglio Ordonez had two hits Saturday after he was 1-for-19 in his previous five games. Reliever Al Alburquerque was released from the hospital one day after being stuck in the head by a baseball during Baltimore’s batting practice. Alburquerque has some internal bleeding as well as a concussion. Outfielder Brennan Boesch (thumb) missed his third straight game is questionable to play Sunday.

FINAL PITCH: Detroit’s rally from a five-run deficit was its biggest of the season. The Tigers had previously overcome three-run margins on three occasions.