Alvarez thrives after shifting to bullpen

DETROIT -- Jose Alvarez entered Tuesday's game with one out and the bases loaded in a one-run game in the eighth inning. In an 11-pitch at-bat, he was able to get Mike Zunino to ground into an inning-ending double play.

Alvarez has inherited five runners over his last two outings, allowing none of them to score. After making five spot starts for the Tigers this season, he moved to the bullpen in August and hasn't given up a run in his last three appearances spanning 4 2/3 innings.

"He's kind of an interesting guy," manager Jim Leyland said. "He doesn't seem to get too rattled or too excited. I've got to give him credit for that.

"He's got a real good feel for pitching without overpowering stuff. In most cases, he's had good control. You know a left-hander with good control, a very usable fastball, a very usable breaking ball and an excellent changeup, that's got some merit to it."