GDT: 7/21/11 - DET (51-46) AT MIN (46-51) - 8:10 p.m. ET

Twins try to cut deficit against Verlander, Tigers

By Jon Star / MLB.com | 7/20/2011 11:00 PM ET

Having achieved a four-game split with one division frontrunner on Wednesday, the Twins will have another shot at carving into their five-game deficit in the American League Central when they welcome the Tigers to Target Field on Thursday. The Twins will be challenged right from the first pitch as Justin Verlander takes the ball in the opener.

With the way that the Tigers' ace has pitched this year, Ron Gardenhire's club will need more of the clutch hitting that led the Twins to a late win against Cleveland in the series finale.

"Every win is a big win," Verlander said. "You do have to beat the teams that are behind you though. But I'm not going to try to do anything better."

Countering Verlander will be Carl Pavano, who recorded a no-decision against the Royals in his lone start since the All-Star break. Pavano held the Royals to three earned runs over seven innings, but it is his ability to go deep into games that may help the Twins best Verlander. Pavano has lasted at least seven innings in 11 straight starts dating back to May 18, a stretch during which he is 4-2 and has tallied eight quality starts.

Beyond the pitching matchup, the series may come down to a battle of wits between two crafty managers, one in Gardenhire and another in Jim Leyland. Gardenhire acknowledged that he admires the Tigers skipper, who he has squared off against for nearly six seasons.

"He's fun," Gardenhire said of Leyland. "He's really intense. If you watch him over there, he's into all parts of the game. One of those baseball minds you like to really sit and listen to and talk to. It's amazing the questions that he has for you, talking about where you play guys and when do you guard the line and how deep do you guard the line for an angle. He throws things at you and you're like, where did that come from?"

Leyland, known for his fiery brand of managing, has his team in a daily battle with the Indians for first place in the division. Gardenhire has attributed much of the Tigers' success to Leyland's complete grasp of the game and his dugout.

"He likes ballplayers," Gardenhire said. "He doesn't really ask you to do too much other than just go out and play the game. I talk to him an awful lot, and he controls. He's got his hand on pretty much everything over there."

Tigers: Betemit to join club
• Detroit traded for veteran third baseman Wilson Betemit on Wednesday. Betemit was batting .281 with a .341 on-base percentage during 203 at bats with the Royals this season. Third baseman Brandon Inge was designated for assignment after Wednesday's game.

• Jose Valverde has converted all 25 of his save opportunities this season, giving him the third-longest conversion streak in Tigers history. With his next save, he will tie Todd Jones, who converted 26 straight saves between April 25 and July 30, 2000. Guillermo Hernandez holds the club mark with 32 consecutive saves (April 6-Sept. 23, 1984).

Twins: Mauer showing positive signs
• Between injuries and subpar play when he was on the field, it is fair to say that Joe Mauer's first half was nothing more than a disappointment. However, Mauer has bounced back in a big way in July. He is hitting .396 (25-for-63) with eight RBIs in 18 games. His average has climbed from .242 to .297 over his last 10 games. Mauer also recently passed Roy Smalley for 11th place on the franchise's all-time hits list (1,051) and RBI list (487).

Worth noting
• Twins' reliever Glen Perkins has allowed just one earned run, four hits and issued one walk over his last 11 innings dating back to June 28. He has struck out 14 over that span.

• Duane Below became the seventh Tigers player to make his Major League debut this season when he started Wednesday. Below is also the sixth pitcher to make his Major League debut in Detroit this year.


Tigers: RHP Justin Verlander (12-5, 2.29 ERA)

In his last start, Verlander struggled for the first time in almost two months, giving up four earned runs in six innings to the White Sox. He is 7-7 in 18 career starts against the Twins with a 3.71 ERA.


Twins: RHP Carl Pavano (6-6, 4.08 ERA)

Delivering a solid start for the Twins on Saturday, Pavano allowed three runs on six hits over seven innings against the Royals. Pavano has thrown seven or more innings in 10 of his last 11 starts dating back to May 18.


Game Information

RECENT RESULTS: The Tigers suffered a 7-5 loss to Oakland last night at Comerica Park. David Purcey (1-2) took the loss in relief for Detroit. Magglio Ordonez led the Tigers with three hits and an RBI, wihle Victor Martinez finished with a double and two RBI. The Tigers begin a seven-game road trip tonight with the first game of a four-game series at Minnesota. Following Sunday afternoon’s game, the club travels to Chicago for a three game series beginning on Monday evening.

TIGERS ACQUIRE BETEMIT FROM ROYALS: The Tigers acquired third baseman Wilson Betemit from the Kansas City Royals yesterday in exchange for lefthanded pitcher Antonio Cruz and catcher Julio Rodriguez. Betemit saw action in 57 games with the Royals this season, hitting .281 (57x203) with 15 doubles, a triple, three home runs and 27 RBI.

INGE DESIGNATED FOR ASSIGMENT: The Tigers today designated the contract of third baseman Brandon Inge for assignment, creating room on the club’s 25-man roster for the arrival of third baseman Wilson Betemit.

NINE-GAME WINNING STREAK VERSUS THE TWINS: The Tigers have won each of the club’s last nine games against the Twins dating back to September 2, 2010. It matches the longest winning streak by the Tigers over the franchise, marking the fourth time Detroit has posted a nine-game winning streak against the franchise. Prior to the current ninegame winning streak, the last time the Tigers recorded nine-game winning streak over the club was when the Twins were the Washington Senators July 27, 1949-May 6, 1950.

CENTRAL FOCUS: Tonight versus Minnesota marks the eighth game in a stretch in which the Tigers play 14 of the club’s next 16 games against opponents in the American League Central Division. Of Detroit’s final 65 games of the season, 43 are versus teams in the American League Central Division. The Tigers are 19-10 against clubs from the American League Central Division this season, a .655 winning percentage. Detroit is tops among all American League clubs with the .655 winning percentage against the division.

CABRERA SLUGS AGAINST THE TWINS: Miguel Cabrera enters tonight’s game versus Minnesota hitting .296 (68x230) with 16 doubles, 18 home runs and 52 RBI in 62 games during his career against the club. He is fifth among all active major league players with a .600 slugging percentage against the Twins.

BOESCH IS BASHING: Brennan Boesch enters this evening’s game against the Twins hitting .353 (55x156) with 12 doubles, nine home runs and 21 RBI over his last 39 games dating back to June 3. He is third in the American League with a .353 batting average during that stretch, while he is fourth with a .603 slugging percentage, sixth with 55 hits, tied for sixth with 12 doubles and tied for ninth with nine home runs.

VALVERDE’S CONVERTING SAVES: Jose Valverde converted his 25th consecutive save to begin the season on Sunday versus Chicago. His 25 straight saves converted is the third-longest such streak during a single season in Tigers history. Guillermo Hernandez converted 32 straight save opportunities for the Tigers April 6-September 23, 1984, while Todd Jones converted 26 straight save chances for the club April 25-July 30, 2000.

BENOIT ON THE BALL: Joaquin Benoit enters tonight’s game against the Twins with a 1-0 record, 1.69 ERA (21.1IP/4ER), two saves and 22 strikeouts over his last 25 outings for the Tigers dating back to May 20. He has limited opponents to a .250 batting average (19x76) during the stretch.

VICTOR AT THE BAT: Victor Martinez is hitting .337 (59x175) with 13 doubles, two home runs and 29 RBI over his last 47 games dating back to May 27. He is third among all American League players with a .337 batting average during that stretch.

ALL IS WELL WITH ALBURQUERQUE: Al Alburquerque enters tonight’s game against the Twins tops among all American League relievers with a .145 batting average, 14.36 strikeouts per nine innings and 4.60 hits per nine innings, while he is tied for the lead with five wins and is sixth with 50 strikeouts.

RESCHEDULED GAMES: The following is the information on the rescheduled Tigers games postponed at Comerica Park this season:
- Thursday, September 1 versus Kansas City at 1:05 p.m. (rescheduled from May 15)

INJURY UPDATE:

• RHP Joel Zumaya (right elbow olecranon fracture surgery, 60-day disabled list on March 30).


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• Friday, July 22:
Tigers (RHP Max Scherzer (10-5, 4.53 ERA)) AT
Twins (LHP Brian Duensing (7-7, 4.14 ERA)),
8:10 p.m. ET (FS-D HD / WXYT 97.1 FM & 1270 AM)

• Saturday, July 23:
Tigers (RHP Brad Penny (7-6, 4.47 ERA)) AT
Twins (?HP TBA ( ERA)),
4:10 p.m. ET (FOX / WXYT 97.1 FM & 1270 AM)

• Sunday, July 24:
Tigers (RHP Rick Porcello (9-6, 4.76 ERA)) AT
Twins (LHP Francisco Liriano (6-7, 4.56 ERA)),
4:10 p.m. ET (FS-D HD / WXYT 97.1 FM & 1270 AM)

STARTING LINEUPS:


TIGERS

1. Jackson, CF
2. Boesch, LF
3. Ordonez, RF
4. Cabrera, 1B
5. Martinez, C
6. Peralta, SS
7. Guillen, 2B
8. Avila, C
9. Betemit, 3B


TWINS

1. Revere, CF
2. Casilla, 2B
3. Mauer, 1B
4. Cuddyer, RF
5. Thome, DH
6. Valencia, 3B
7. Young, LF
8. Nishioka, SS
9. Butera, C

DET - Top 1st
B:0 S:1 O:1
Austin Jackson grounds out, shortstop Tsuyoshi Nishioka to first baseman Joe Mauer.

B:3 S:2 O:2
Brennan Boesch flies out to right fielder Michael Cuddyer.

B:0 S:2 O:3
Magglio Ordonez pops out to first baseman Joe Mauer in foul territory.

MIN - Bot 1st
B:1 S:2 O:1
Ben Revere grounds out softly, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Alexi Casilla grounds out, second baseman Carlos Guillen to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:3 S:1 O:3
Joe Mauer grounds out, second baseman Carlos Guillen to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

0 - 0 AFTER 1 INNING

DET - Top 2nd
B:2 S:1 O:0
Miguel Cabrera singles on a soft fly ball to center fielder Ben Revere.

B:1 S:2 O:2
Victor Martinez grounds into double play, second baseman Alexi Casilla to shortstop Tsuyoshi Nishioka to first baseman Joe Mauer. Miguel Cabrera out at 2nd.

B:1 S:2 O:3
Jhonny Peralta grounds out, shortstop Tsuyoshi Nishioka to first baseman Joe Mauer.

MIN - Bot 2nd
B:2 S:1 O:0
Michael Cuddyer triples (1) on a fly ball to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:3 S:3 O:1
Jim Thome out swinging.

B:1 S:3 O:2
Danny Valencia out swinging.

B:2 S:1 O:3
Delmon Young grounds out, second baseman Carlos Guillen to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

0 - 0 AFTER 2 INNINGS

DET - Top 3rd
B:2 S:2 O:1
Carlos Guillen grounds out to first baseman Joe Mauer.

B:1 S:2 O:1
Alex Avila singles on a line drive to center fielder Ben Revere.

B:2 S:2 O:2
Wilson Betemit pops out to shortstop Tsuyoshi Nishioka.

B:1 S:3 O:3
Austin Jackson out swinging.

MIN - Bot 3rd
B:0 S:1 O:1
Tsuyoshi Nishioka grounds out softly, pitcher Justin Verlander to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:2 S:2 O:2
Drew Butera pops out to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:2 S:2 O:3
Ben Revere flies out to left fielder Brennan Boesch.

0 - 0 AFTER 3 INNINGS

DET - Top 4th
B:0 S:2 O:0
Brennan Boesch hit by pitch.

B:0 S:1 O:1
Magglio Ordonez grounds out, third baseman Danny Valencia to first baseman Joe Mauer. Brennan Boesch to 2nd.

B:4 S:1 O:1
Miguel Cabrera walks.

B:0 S:0 O:1
Victor Martinez singles on a line drive to right fielder Michael Cuddyer. Brennan Boesch to 3rd. Miguel Cabrera to 2nd.

B:0 S:0 O:1
Jhonny Peralta singles on a line drive to right fielder Michael Cuddyer. Brennan Boesch scores. Miguel Cabrera to 3rd. Victor Martinez to 2nd.
1 - 0

B:1 S:0 O:3
Carlos Guillen grounds into double play, pitcher Carl Pavano to shortstop Tsuyoshi Nishioka to first baseman Joe Mauer. Jhonny Peralta out at 2nd.

MIN - Bot 4th
B:1 S:3 O:1
Alexi Casilla called out on .

B:3 S:2 O:1
Joe Mauer singles on a line drive to left fielder Brennan Boesch.

B:2 S:2 O:2
Michael Cuddyer flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:3 S:3 O:3
Jim Thome out swinging.

1 - 0 AFTER 4 INNINGS

DET - Top 5th
B:2 S:0 O:1
Alex Avila grounds out to first baseman Joe Mauer.

B:0 S:2 O:1
Wilson Betemit singles on a ground ball to right fielder Michael Cuddyer.

B:1 S:3 O:2
Austin Jackson out swinging.

B:2 S:1 O:2
Brennan Boesch homers (14) on a fly ball to right center field. Wilson Betemit scores.
3 - 0

B:0 S:0 O:3
Magglio Ordonez lines out to third baseman Danny Valencia.

MIN - Bot 5th
B:1 S:2 O:1
Danny Valencia flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:3 S:3 O:2
Delmon Young out swinging.

B:1 S:1 O:3
Tsuyoshi Nishioka grounds out, second baseman Carlos Guillen to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

3 - 0 AFTER 5 INNINGS

DET - Top 6th
B:1 S:0 O:0
Miguel Cabrera doubles (23) on a ground ball to left fielder Delmon Young.

B:0 S:0 O:0
Victor Martinez singles on a line drive to right fielder Michael Cuddyer. Miguel Cabrera to 3rd.

B:2 S:2 O:0
Jhonny Peralta doubles (17) on a ground ball to left fielder Delmon Young. Miguel Cabrera scores. Victor Martinez to 3rd.
4 - 0

B:0 S:1 O:1
Carlos Guillen out on a sacrifice fly to left fielder Delmon Young. Victor Martinez scores.
5 - 0

B:2 S:2 O:2
Alex Avila flies out to center fielder Ben Revere.

B:0 S:0 O:3
Wilson Betemit pops out to third baseman Danny Valencia in foul territory.

MIN - Bot 6th
B:1 S:3 O:1
Drew Butera called out on .

B:1 S:2 O:2
Ben Revere lines out to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:2 S:2 O:2
Alexi Casilla singles on a sharp ground ball to right fielder Magglio Ordonez.

B:0 S:1 O:2
Joe Mauer singles on a line drive to left fielder Brennan Boesch. Alexi Casilla to 2nd.

B:2 S:0 O:2
Michael Cuddyer singles on a fly ball to right fielder Magglio Ordonez. Alexi Casilla scores. Joe Mauer to 3rd.
5 - 1

B:0 S:3 O:3
Jim Thome called out on .

5 - 1 AFTER 6 INNINGS

DET - Top 7th
Pitcher Change: Chuck James replaces Carl Pavano.

B:4 S:2 O:0
Austin Jackson walks.

B:3 S:2 O:1
Brennan Boesch flies out to left fielder Delmon Young.

Coaching visit to mound.

B:0 S:2 O:1
Magglio Ordonez singles on a ground ball to left fielder Delmon Young. Austin Jackson to 2nd.

Offensive Substitution: Pinch runner Don Kelly replaces Magglio Ordonez.

B:1 S:2 O:2
Miguel Cabrera flies out to center fielder Ben Revere.

B:3 S:0 O:3
Victor Martinez flies out to center fielder Ben Revere.

MIN - Bot 7th
Don Kelly remains in the game as the right fielder.

B:0 S:2 O:1
Danny Valencia grounds out, third baseman Wilson Betemit to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:0 S:2 O:2
Delmon Young grounds out, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:1 S:3 O:3
Tsuyoshi Nishioka out swinging.

5 - 1 AFTER 7 INNINGS

DET - Top 8th
B:0 S:0 O:0
Jhonny Peralta homers (15) on a fly ball to left field.
6 - 1

B:2 S:1 O:0
Carlos Guillen singles on a line drive to left fielder Delmon Young.

B:0 S:0 O:1
Alex Avila flies out to left fielder Delmon Young.

B:0 S:3 O:2
Wilson Betemit called out on .

B:2 S:3 O:3
Austin Jackson out swinging.

MIN - Bot 8th
B:3 S:3 O:1
Drew Butera called out on .

B:0 S:0 O:2
Ben Revere grounds out to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:3 S:2 O:3
Alexi Casilla flies out to right fielder Don Kelly.

6 - 1 AFTER 8 INNINGS

DET - Top 9th
Pitcher Change: Phil Dumatrait replaces Chuck James.

B:3 S:3 O:1
Brennan Boesch called out on .

B:0 S:0 O:2
Don Kelly grounds out sharply to first baseman Joe Mauer.

B:4 S:2 O:2
Miguel Cabrera walks.

With Victor Martinez batting, wild pitch by Phil Dumatrait, Miguel Cabrera to 2nd.

B:1 S:2 O:3
Victor Martinez flies out to center fielder Ben Revere.

MIN - Bot 9th
Defensive Substitution: Andy Dirks replaces left fielder Brennan Boesch, batting 2nd, playing left field.

Pitcher Change: Phil Coke replaces Justin Verlander.

B:1 S:2 O:1
Joe Mauer grounds out, first baseman Miguel Cabrera to pitcher Phil Coke.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Michael Cuddyer lines out softly to second baseman Carlos Guillen.

B:4 S:2 O:2
Jim Thome walks.

Offensive Substitution: Pinch runner Jason Repko replaces Jim Thome.

B:1 S:2 O:2
Danny Valencia singles on a soft ground ball to third baseman Wilson Betemit. Jason Repko scores. Throwing error by third baseman Wilson Betemit.
6 - 2

B:0 S:1 O:3
Delmon Young grounds out, pitcher Phil Coke to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.