GDT: 7/27/08 - DET (52-51) VS CWS (59-43) - 1:05 p.m. ET

DETROIT -- Zach Miner pitched well in his first start this season against the lowly Royals. He faces stiffer competition on Sunday afternoon.

And with much more on the line.

The Tigers have let another key divisional series slip away. With a series loss secured, Miner looks to help prevent a sweep as he toes the rubber for the finale of a three-game set with the White Sox at Comerica Park. A loss would push the Tigers 8 1/2 games back in the American League Central standings.

A repeat performance by Miner could help lessen the sting of this series defeat. He made a seamless transition from the bullpen to the starting rotation, shutting out the Royals over six innings on Monday.

His mindset didn't change, but his game plan did.

"He's different, because he's not coming out of the bullpen, and he's not trying to throw 95 [mph]," Tigers manager Jim Leyland said. "He's pitching. He's using his sinker, using his other pitches more. It's a totally different scenario."

Miner maintained the same concentration that made him an effective reliever the previous two seasons.

"Whether I'm coming out of the bullpen or starting, it's still pitching, and I have to stay locked in and make my pitches," Miner said.

The right-hander has started for the Tigers before. He has 18 Major League starts to his name.

He made his Major League debut as a starter in 2006, winning six of his first seven starts. He went 7-5 as a starter that year with a 4.76 ERA. Last year, he allowed one earned run in a fill-in start at Boston.

Sustained success by Miner could play a big part in deciding Detroit's postseason fate. The team has searched for a reliable No. 5 starter since the implosion of Dontrelle Willis in June. Quality pitching from the back end of the rotation could help the Tigers collect the wins they need to escape their current deficit.

It could also deem a trade for a starter unnecessary and allow the Tigers to hang on to their top prospects.


Pitching matchup

DET: RHP Zach Miner (4-3, 3.73 ERA)
As Jim Leyland said, Miner was just what the doctor ordered. The Tigers needed a No. 5 starter, and Miner filled in the role perfectly Monday. In his first start since early 2007, he pitched six scoreless innings. Miner's control had improved greatly since his last relief outing, as he mixed mainly fastballs and changeups. Leyland wants Miner to improve his breaking ball if he wants to stick in the rotation.

CWS: RHP Javier Vazquez (7-8, 4.57 ERA)
Vazquez literally made one mistake over seven innings during Monday's contest against the Rangers, but that mistake ended up costing him a chance at victory. Vazquez's 2-0 offering to Josh Hamilton with two outs in the third was deposited over the center-field fence for a three-run home run, giving Texas all the runs it would need in a 6-1 victory. Vazquez fanned 10, producing his 36th career double-digit strikeout effort, and he also allowed four hits and walked two. Vazquez has lost three straight decisions and has not won since June 17. He has a 1-1 record with a 3.46 ERA against Detroit this season, with a 0-1 record at Comerica Park.

Tidbits

Saturday's crowd of 45,280 was the largest single-game attendance in Comerica Park history. ... Leyland feels good about Miguel Cabrera's progress at first base. "He's a good first baseman now, but I think he'll be one heck of a first baseman by the end of next spring," Leyland said. "He's getting better all the time." ... The Tigers have decided Curtis Granderson will lead off against all pitchers. For most of the last two seasons, Granderson mainly led off against right-handers. "I've looked at it. I've thought about it. You know what? He's our catalyst," Leyland said. "He's hitting better against lefties than he was. He's a ballplayer. I'm leading him off." ... Gary Sheffield hit career home run No. 488 in the second inning on Saturday. He is five shy of tying Lou Gehrig and Fred McGriff for 25th place on the all-time list. ... Also on Saturday, Justin Verlander surrendered more than three runs in a start for the first time since May 31 at Seattle. ... Willis pitched for the third time at Class A Lakeland. He lasted 4 1/3 innings, allowing three runs on four hits and three walks. He allowed a solo home run in the third inning.

On the Internet

MLB.TV
Gameday Audio
• Gameday
• Official game notes

On television
• FSN-HD

On radio
• 97.1FM/1270AM

Up next

• Mon., July 28: Tigers (Kenny Rogers, 8-6, 4.48) at Indians (Paul Byrd, 4-10, 5.28), 7:05 p.m. ET

• Tue., July 29: Tigers (RHP Armando Galarraga (8-4, 3.27 ERA)) at Indians (LHP Aaron Laffey, (5-7, 4.23 ERA)), 7:05 p.m. ET

• Wed., July 30: Tigers (Nate Robertson (6-8, 5.63 ERA)) at Indians (Cliff Lee (14-2, 2.29 ERA)), 7:05 p.m. ET

STARTING LINEUPS

80 degrees at Game Time: Sunny

Winds 11 mph out of the West


High 84 on Sunday

GO TIGERS

WE NEED A WIN

Let's go Tigers!

Oh snap.

C'mon Gold!

Christina (did I spell your name right?), who is in your avatar NOW?

1 out. Polly on 2nd. Guillen at bat.

2 outs. Maggs at bat.

MAGGS BASEHIT! Polly scores. 1-1

Inning over. Going to the top of the 2nd.

2 outs. Ramirez at bat.

TigersGirl wrote:

Christina (did I spell your name right?), who is in your avatar NOW?

My cousin-in-law Zac.

I'll change it back if you want...

Bottom of the 2nd.

cdurbfan22 wrote:

TigersGirl wrote:

Christina (did I spell your name right?), who is in your avatar NOW?

My cousin-in-law Zac.

I'll change it back if you want...

Oh. I dont care. I was just curious. haha

Sheff at bat....
---
Out.

Thames out. 2 outs.

That was a nice catch.

Pudge doubles!

Renteria. Pudge left on base. Going to the third.

2 outs.

Bottom of the third!

Homerun GRANDY!!!!!

11th homer this season for Curtis



2 - 1 Tigers.

Polly at bat....
----
Walk

Guillen walks. Maggs out. Guys on 2nd and 3rd.

2 run single for Cabrera!!!!! 4 - 1 TIGERS!

Start me up, kids!