GDT: 7/1/08 - DET (42-40) AT Minn (45-38) - 8:10 p.m. ET

MINNEAPOLIS -- Rockies burner Willy Taveras entered Saturday's contest against the Tigers leading the majors with 36 steals. He had been caught only twice. But in the next two days, against a separate pair of Tigers battery mates, he was held without a theft while being caught stealing on each day.

"Obviously, we have a great throwing catcher, and our times are pretty good home," manager Jim Leyland said. "And if you throw it accurate, he ain't gonna steal it."

In the third inning on Saturday, Taveras was gunned down on an attempted steal with Ivan Rodriguez at catcher and Justin Verlander on the mound; the Tigers won, 7-6. On Sunday, in the fourth inning, Taveras was again thrown out trying to run, this time with Dane Sardinha at catcher and Kenny Rogers pitching; the Tigers won, 4-3.

"We knew he was going to go at some point for sure," Leyland said. "There is a lot to be said about not outrunning the ball -- you can't do it."

The Tigers will face a similar speed threat in the next two games against Minnesota. Twins center fielder Carlos Gomez is considered to be one of the fastest players in the game. He is not yet at Taveras' level as a baserunner, however -- Gomez has 21 steals and has been thrown out eight times this season. Gomez was able to steal third base in the fifth inning on Monday with Rodriguez behind the plate and Armando Galarraga on the mound.

"You got a kid here that is still learning, but he can fly, this kid here can absolutely fly," Leyland said of Gomez. "I don't know who is faster, but this guy can fly, and Taveras can absolutely fly."

Leyland said Rodriguez, who has gunned down 16 runners this year, will probably get a rest in one of the next two games against Minnesota.

Twins manager Ron Gardenhire is cognizant of Rodriguez's arm strength, saying before Monday's game: "Pudge is as good as they get. He's a Gold Glover and a future Hall of Famer. You've got a guy that can still throw the ball. The reports are that he's throwing everywhere, like we've always known. He'll throw behind the bases, throw behind at first, throw behind at third. So you have to be aware with him out there. He's a solid defensive player. Our game is running, too. So we'll try to get situations and try to get breaking balls. We'll see what happens. It makes it interesting going into the series."



Pitching matchup

DET: LHP Nate Robertson (6-6, 5.23 ERA)
Robertson, one of the Tigers' most consistent pitchers during their recent hot streak, allowed no earned runs for the second time in three starts on Thursday, though he wiggled out of trouble all afternoon. He allowed a season-high 11 hits in 6 1/3 innings, but stranded 10 runners (four in scoring position) with the help of key strikeouts and double plays. He kept the ball down, which translated into 11 of his 14 outs coming on the ground. In two starts against the Twins this season, he has allowed seven runs on 13 hits in 12 2/3 innings.

MIN: RHP Scott Baker (4-2, 3.57 ERA)
Some early troubles plagued Baker in his last start as he gave up three runs over his first three innings to the Padres. But while it wasn't the prettiest of outings, Baker managed to settle down to hold them to just those three runs on six hits over six innings. The Twins are still hoping to see Baker's pitch counts go down, as he threw 101 over that span. Next up for Baker will be his third start of the year against Detroit. He is 0-0, having allowed just four runs over 10 innings in the first two starts. He's had success at the Metrodome this season, going 2-0 with a 2.28 ERA in five starts there.


Tidbits

Said Leyland of the White Sox : "They are doing good. Obliviously, that's why they are five games ahead of us and [1 1/2] in front of Minnesota -- been leading most of the year." ... Leyland was happy for Jim Thome, who hit the 522nd home run of his career on Sunday, passing Willie McCovey and Ted Williams for 16th on the all-time list: "He's one of the all-time great guys in the game. Very professional, all the way. Comes to beat your butt. Will talk to you before the game and tries to kick your butt during the game. That's what he's supposed to do."

On the Internet

MLB.TV
Gameday Audio
• Gameday
• Official game notes

On television
• FSND

On radio
• 97.1FM/1270AM

Up next

• Wed., July 2: Tigers (RHP Eddie Bonine (2-0, 3.98 ERA)) at Twins (RHP Nick Blackburn (6-4,
4.05 ERA)), 1:10 p.m. ET

• Thurs., July 3: Tigers (RHP Justin Verlander (4-9, 4.42 ERA)) at Mariners (RHP Carlos Silva (4-9, 5.69 ERA)), 10:10 p.m. ET

• Fri., July 4: Tigers (LHP Kenny Rogers (6-5, 4.59 ERA)) at Mariners (LHP Erik Bedard (5-4, 3.79 ERA)), 4:10 p.m. ET

• Sat., July 5: Tigers (RHP Armando Galarraga (7-2, 3.40 ERA)) at Mariners (TBA), 10:10 p.m. ET

STARTING LINEUPS

Detroit AVG
:curtis: Granderson, CF .301
:placido: Polanco, 2B .322
Guillen, 3B .292
:thames: Thames, 1B .277
:joyce: Joyce, RF .222
:sheff: Sheffield, DH .226
Thomas, LF .329
:edgar: Renteria, SS .271
:pudge: Rodriguez, C .277

Minnesota AVG
Gomez, CF .265
Casilla, 2B .316
Redmond, C .286
Morneau, 1B .308
Monroe, DH .208
Young, LF .281
Harris, SS .249
Punto, 3B .262
Span, RF .286






GO TIGERS

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omg WE CAN ACTUALLY BEAT 'EM!!! LET's ROCK DIS HOUSE, BOYS!!!! we can party later

laprimamirala wrote:

omg WE CAN ACTUALLY BEAT 'EM!!! LET's ROCK DIS HOUSE, BOYS!!!! we can party later

The only way is up guys! Watch my signature! Go for gold! Let us sweep the Twins!
Go Nate!

See the Tigers dont have success against the Twinkies thus far in the season, cuz we were still getting fit in with Miggy and Rent in the lineup, now we have don that and will be kickin ass!

Let's go Tigers!!!

Live blog is up and running!

Robertson: 4 innings, 6 runs

Spoiler:

catbox_9 wrote:

Robertson: 4 innings, 6 runs

Spoiler:

:haha:

I love Nate but I swear I am going to have grey hair by the time I turn 20.

mrsrabelo wrote:

catbox_9 wrote:

Robertson: 4 innings, 6 runs

Spoiler:

:haha:

I love Nate but I swear I am going to have grey hair by the time I turn 20.

LOL. Anger won't turn your hair gray so that's a better strategy.

Yay GDT!!! Lets get these guys out, then score some runs in the 7th!

We are using the regular gdt for posts everyone

walk for Span

2nd stollen by span.

Span, steals 2nd

not nice Span

You know what's sad? Even if Maggs gets voted in to the All-Star Game, He probably can't play in it.

TigersGirl wrote:

You know what's sad? Even if Maggs gets voted in to the All-Star Game, He probably can't play in it.

That sucks, he will be off the DL one day before, I think

get it together

walk

GoGetEmTigers wrote:

TigersGirl wrote:

You know what's sad? Even if Maggs gets voted in to the All-Star Game, He probably can't play in it.

That sucks, he will be off the DL one day before, I think

I think so too. But he said in an interview that my mom read he won't play in it.

here comes Chuck

for a DP

Maggs is smart, why risk getting hurt again.

Walk. bases loaded.

Leyland must be having a headache with that walk

He also said he really just wants to help his team. He won't hurt himself trying to play the All-Star Game.

foul

Seay warming up

DP!!!!

Wow, nice dp

Yea smilies for everyone!