GDT: 8/12/08 - DET (58-60) VS TOR (60-59) - 7:05 p.m. ET

DETROIT -- Whether Zach Miner will continue to pitch in the Tigers' rotation next season remains unclear. But one thing is certain: Miner has made the most of his starting opportunities.

In four starts since assuming a spot in the rotation, Miner is 3-1 with a 2.31 ERA. His only loss came when he allowed three runs in 5 1/3 innings on Aug. 1 against the Rays, the only time he allowed more than two runs as a starter.

The Tigers have not decided what to do with Miner. His array of pitches makes him a valuable starter, but the late sink on a fastball that tops out at 95 mph could make him a dominant reliever.

"I'm still not sure, to this day, where Zach Miner fits in the best," manager Jim Leyland said. "But he is definitely a big league pitcher -- and a very helpful big league pitcher on a good team, in my opinion."

Right now, though, the Tigers need him to start. And right now, he might be their best starter.

Detroit needs him at his best in Tuesday's second contest of a four-game series with Toronto at Comerica Park. Miner opposes A.J. Burnett, a talented right-hander who this year has avoided injury and posted some of the best numbers of his career.

Burnett enters Tuesday's game with 14 wins -- tied with Colorado's Aaron Cook and the Angels' Joe Saunders for the fourth best in the Majors -- and an American League-best 159 strikeouts.



Pitching matchup

DET: RHP Zach Miner (6-4, 3.57 ERA)
Miner began the season pitching the middle to late innings in the Tigers bullpen, but Thursday's win over the White Sox improved him to 3-1 with a 2.31 ERA in four starts since joining the rotation. His latest outing saw him hold down a power-happy Chicago offense with one earned run allowed over six innings. While other Tigers starters have been up and down, Miner and Armando Galarraga have been surprisingly consistent this summer to help provide some stability to the staff. Miner tossed two scoreless innings against the Blue Jays in April, but he hasn't started against them since 2006, when he held them to two runs in six innings at Rogers Centre.


TOR: RHP A.J. Burnett (14-9, 4.62 ERA)
Burnett continued to improve his ranking among the American League's top pitchers with a solid outing in his last start against the Athletics. Burnett allowed four runs on seven hits while striking out six over six innings of work. The majority of Oakland's damage came via the home run with first baseman Daric Barton hitting a two-run shot and outfielder Ryan Sweeney following three innings later with a solo homer. It wasn't Burnett's sharpest outing of the season but it was still enough to earn his 14th victory of the season. That moved him past Toronto No. 1 starter Roy Halladay for the team lead in wins and at least for the time being put himself in a tie with Angels left-hander Joe Saunders for third most in the AL. Burnett's outing also moved him into second place in the AL in innings pitched (157.2) and first in strikeouts (159). He is 2-1 with an 8.68 ERA over 18 2/3 innings in his career against Detroit.

Tidbits

Miguel Cabrera became the fourth player in the AL this season to crack 90 RBIs. He is tied with Carlos Quentin for third in the league, trailing Justin Morneau (91) and Josh Hamilton (111). ...

Magglio Ordonez extended his hitting streak to 10 games. ...

Brandon Inge's home run Monday night marked his 54th at Comerica Park, the most by any player. ...

Justin Verlander is in the midst of his second four-game losing streak of the season, but he had never allowed more than 19 runs over a four-games stretch in his career. He's allowed 24 during this current streak.

On the Internet

MLB.TV
Gameday Audio
• Gameday
• Official game notes

On television
• FSN-HD

On radio
• 97.1FM/1270AM

Up next

• Wed., Aug 13: Tigers (LHP Kenny Rogers (8-9, 4.92 ERA)) vs. Blue Jays (LHP David Purcey (1-3, 7.40 ERA)), 7:05 p.m. ET

• Thurs., Aug 14: Tigers (RHP Armando Galarraga (10-4, 3.23 ERA)) vs. Blue Jays (RHP Jesse Litsch (8-7, 4.46 ERA)), 1:05 p.m. ET

• Fri., Aug 15: Tigers (LHP Nate Robertson (7-8, 5.84 ERA)) vs. Orioles (LHP Chris Waters (1-0, 4.50 ERA)), 7:05 p.m. ET

STARTING LINEUPS:

Toronto AVG
Inglett, 2B .290
Scutaro, 3B .256
Rios, RF .281
Wells, V, CF .287
Stairs, DH .253
Barajas, C .264
Lind, LF .291
Overbay, 1B .270
McDonald, SS .208

Detroit AVG
:curtis: Granderson, CF .299
:placido: Polanco, 2B .311
Guillen, 3B .287
Ordonez, RF .318
Cabrera, 1B .298
:joyce: Joyce, LF .275
:sheff: Sheffield, DH .219
:edgar: Renteria, SS .261
Inge, C .217

76 degrees at Game Time


Partly Cloudy


Light Variable Wind

Thanks for the wallpapers by the way, gogetem...

laprimamirala wrote:

Thanks for the wallpapers by the way, gogetem...

No problem. When I saw the new ones, I thought I should post them.

Inglett - grounds out

Scutaro - flies out

Rios - single

Wells - batting and Rios steals 2nd

Wells -

:curtis: flies out

:placido: singles

grounds out

los steals 2nd

grounds out

end of 1

0-0

Stairs -

Barajas grounds out

Lind - home run

Jays 1-0

Overbay -

grounds out

:joyce:

:sheff:

Tied 1-1

:edgar: grounds out

end of 2 innings

Tied 1-1 on Sheffs homer

I will be back shortly.
Have some HW and things to do.

GOO TIGERS!!

1 out.

McDonald - 1 pitch line out

GO MINER!