  DETROIT -- Doug Fister wants to make it clear: He isn't trying
to hit batters.  It's debatable whether he's even trying to
brush anybody back. That makes his rash of hit batsmen all the
more surprising.  Through five starts, Fister has hit eight
batters, twice as many as anyone else in the Majors. He's even
hit more batters in his past two starts alone than anyone else
this season and he's the first Tiger since Justin Verlander in
April 2008 -- and just the seventh Tiger since 1916 -- to hit
multiple batters in consecutive starts.  If that pace somehow
keeps up, Fister will hit 56 batters this season, which would
top even the pre-1900 record of 54 set by Phil Knell with the
1891 Columbus Solons of the American Association. Even if Fister
falls off the pace, he could still shatter the post-World War II
record of 21 shared by Kerry Wood (2003 Cubs) and Tom Murphy
(1969 Angels).  Of course, if this pace keeps up, somebody's
going to take umbrage, even though Fister doesn't mean it.
"Unfortunately, I think it'