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DET@BOS: Scherzer fans six over six innings of work

The Tigers host the Rockies on Sunday afternoon in the rubber match at Comerica Park, as Detroit looks for its third series win in a row.

Max Scherzer is scheduled to start for the Tigers, while the Rockies hand the ball to Jeremy Guthrie.

Scherzer, who is winless in June, is coming off a no-decision against the Cubs. He's 5-4 with a 5.76 ERA in 13 starts this season. The right-hander struck out eight in his last outing, and has fanned 88 in 70 1/3 innings.

In four career starts against Colorado, Scherzer is 0-3 with a 5.48 ERA.

"I've faced them before. They're a good lineup," Scherzer said. "They've got a lot of speed, they run the bases well and they hit the ball out of the ballpark. Every guy can hit, and obviously it's a threat."

Scherzer hopes an improved changeup will lead to his first win over the Rockies.

"Big thing I've been working on the past couple days is trying to find a way to slow down my changeup," he said. "Slow it down 2-3 mph to make a bigger gap between my fastball and changeup. There's just times where my changeup is at 88 [mph], and I like it when it's at 84-85. I feel like I have a better chance to disrupt their timing. When it's harder, I don't feel like it accomplishes that. I feel like I've found a little thing I can do that helps me."

The Rockies won the series opener in 10 innings, 12-4, on Friday to snap an eight-game losing streak. But Colorado fell, 4-1, on Saturday to move to 1-9 in its last 10 games.

Guthrie needs a strong outing to keep his spot in the Rockies' rotation. The right-hander has allowed 19 runs in his last three starts and is 3-5 with a 6.91 ERA.

He's had success on the road and against the Tigers, though. Guthrie is 3-2 in his career versus Detroit with a 3.91 ERA in 10 appearances (seven starts).

Rockies: Nelson producing at the plate
• Chris Nelson has provided more than just solid defense since returning from a wrist injury on May 31. He has also been productive in the batter's box.

The Rockies needed the infielder's glove once Troy Tulowitzki landed on the disabled list with a left groin injury, but Nelson's offense has been a welcome addition. He's hitting .300 in June with three homers and six RBIs.

On Friday, Nelson tripled and homered, before going 0-for-3 on Saturday. The infielder has given the Rockies an offensive force at the bottom of the lineup.

"With the guys we have on this team, it's very important that the guys in the lower part of the lineup do something to try to spark them," said Nelson, who has batted ninth for two straight games. "You want them to have opportunities with runners in scoring position."

Tigers: Benoit key to bullpen
• Reliever Joaquin Benoit has been a workhorse for Detroit in the bullpen, throwing 2 2/3 innings this series.

Benoit tossed 1 2/3 scoreless frames in Friday's loss and pitched the ninth inning on Saturday. He is tied with Phil Coke for the most appearances on the team with 31.

"I'll probably shoot myself in the foot, but I think he's the best setup man in the league that very rarely gets any credit," said Tigers manager Jim Leyland.

The right-hander has pitched in 10 of Detroit's 11 victories since May 19. Benoit has thrown 30 2/3 innings of relief this season, the most on the team.

Worth noting
• Colorado's Michael Cuddyer is 4-for-13 with one homer and three RBIs in his career against Scherzer.

• Tigers third baseman Miguel Cabrera is 5-for-14 (.357) in his career versus Guthrie, with two home runs and four RBIs.

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