Detroit Tigers

Tigers right fielder Torii Hunter ended a 0-for-11 skid over his last three games by going 2 for 4 with a double, run and RBI Saturday against the Rangers. It was the first time Hunter scored since May 8.

Hunter has slowed after an April in which he hit .313/.354/.416 with a home run in 178 plate appearances.

Tigers starting pitcher Anibal Sanchez couldn't make it out of the third inning Saturday, allowing six runs (five earned) on nine hits and two walks in 2 2/3 innings while striking out two. It was the first time this season Sanchez lasted fewer than five innings or allowed more than three earned runs.

Sanchez struck out 42 in his previous four starts (all quality starts). He'll look to rebound against the Twins next week.

Tigers starting pitcher Rick Porcello is 2-0 with a 3.24 ERA and 24 strikeouts in 25 innings over his last four starts, and he's crediting his changeup.

"My changeup has been coming around nicely," Porcello told MLB.com "I've been able to get some swings and misses off it lately, especially with two strikes. I'm throwing it to both righties and lefties. It's been a nice pitch for me this year."

Porcello is 2-2 with a 5.92 ERA and 1.32 WHIP in 38 innings this season.

Tigers pitching coach Jeff Jones said that starting pitcher Justin Verlander is "trying to get back to the basics" after allowing seven earned runs in his last start, the Detroit Free Press reports.

"He wants to get back to the basics and quit thinking so much about the delivery -- just repeat his delivery, hit his spot with each pitch and not think about the process," Jones told the Free Press after Verlander's bullpen session Saturday. "Between starts, he wants to get away from thinking about the process and focus on hitting the glove and getting all of his pitches working. He was very good today."

Verlander is 4-4 with a 3.17 ERA and 60 strikeouts in 54 innings.

Tigers manager Jim Leyland is optimistic that center fielder Austin Jackson, who is on the disabled list with a strained left hamstring, will be able to return May 28, the first day he's eligible to come off the disabled list, MLive.com reports.

"He's doing good," Leyland said. "He should be on time."

Jackson could go on a one- or two-game rehab assignment before returning to the Tigers.