GDT: 7/22/11 - DET (52-46) AT MIN (46-52) - 8:10 p.m. ET

Twins seeking answer to Tigers' dominance

By Mark Thompson / MLB.com | 7/22/2011 1:25 AM ET

The Twins were once thought to be goners. On June 1, the club was 20 games under .500 and without its most recognizable player, Joe Mauer.

With the Tigers leading the American League Central, this weekend's four-game series between the two teams carries some extra importance.

"This is a big series here," Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said prior to his club dropping a 6-2 decision to Justin Verlander on Thursday. "It's another four-game series, which is tough. It ought to be entertaining. A good series at home."

With the victory, the Tigers moved a half-game in front of the idle Indians and increased their lead over the Twins to six games.

Climbing from such a deep hole, the Twins recognize they don't have much time remaining to make up ground.

"This is a lot of tough baseball," Gardenhire said. "Cleveland, then you turn around and get these guys, and then you get Texas and then Oakland and Anaheim, which is never an easy trip. So this is a big stretch of baseball for us. We're playing some very good baseball teams. It started with Cleveland and we go from here."

And if the Twins are going to pick up a win on Friday, they'll have to go through Tigers starting pitcher Max Scherzer.

Since starting the season 9-2, Scherzer has gone 1-3 in his last five starts, despite making three quality starts in that stretch.

Scherzer, fresh off his last start in which the 26-year-old threw a season-high-tying eight innings will look to bring some of the same efficiency to the mound against the Twins.

"I felt pretty good, considering I had eight days off," Scherzer said after giving up two earned runs against Chicago. "I was able to find the strike zone, execute pitches. I pitched with all three pitches today."

But in his way of a victory will be Twins starter Brian Duensing, who has gone 3-0 in his last four starts.

In his last start, Duensing (7-7) pitched 6 1/3 innings and gave up three runs on seven hits, and the surging Twins gave him enough backing to pull out the victory.

The last time Duensing faced the Tigers, however, he gave up six runs on nine hits and lasted 4 2/3 innings.

Twins: Kubel to return Friday
• It's been seven weeks since outfielder Jason Kubel has played in the Majors.

Kubel, who suffered a sprained left foot in Detroit on May 30, was reinstated from the disabled following Thursday's contest and will be in the lineup on Friday.

"I called Kubel last night and he's seeing the ball great and feeling good," Gardenhire said. "He hit an opposite-field homer and three hits [on Wednesday] and another hit [Thursday]. He says he feels great and has no problem with his foot."

• Joe Mauer is one walk away from tying Tony Oliva for eighth on the Twins' all-time walks list with 448.

Tigers: Boesch is still bashing
• Brennan Boesch enters Friday's game hitting .350 (56-for-160) with 12 doubles, 10 home runs and 31 RBIs over his last 40 games.

In Thursday's series opener, Boesch hit a two-run homer in the fifth inning off Carl Pavano and went 1-for-4 from the plate.

• Miguel Cabrera is a Twins killer. In 63 career games against the club, Cabrera has hit .300 (70-for-233) with 17 doubles, 18 home runs and 52 RBIs.

Worth noting
• The Tigers have won 10 straight against the Twins, including a 6-0 mark against this season, which doesn't bode well for Minnesota's chances of catching the AL Central division leader.

• The Twins are 202-155 all-time at home against the Tigers, but 0-3 this season in Target Field.


Tigers: RHP Max Scherzer (10-5, 4.53 ERA)

Scherzer pitched his second straight quality start in his last outing, giving up two runs in eight innings against the White Sox, but picked up a loss. He gave up seven runs to the Twins in 6 2/3 innings on May 31.


Twins: LHP Brian Duensing (7-7, 4.14 ERA)

After three long innings to open the game, Duensing settled in nicely during his last start, picking up his seventh win of the season as he allowed three runs on seven hits with two strikeouts over 6 1/3 innings against the Royals.


Game Information

RECENT RESULTS: The Tigers knocked off the Twins 6-2 last night at Target Field. Justin Verlander (13-5) earned the win for Detroit, fanning nine batters as he limited the Twins to one run in eight innings. Jhonny Peralta led the Tigers with three hits, including a double and home run, and three RBI. The Tigers continue a seven-game road trip tonight with the second 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.

TEN-GAME WINNING STREAK VERSUS THE TWINS: The Tigers have won each of the club’s last 10 games against the Twins dating back to September 2, 2010. It marks the longest winning streak by the Tigers over the franchise. Prior to the current 10-game winning streak, the Tigers recorded a nine-game winning streak over the franchise three different times with the last time coming when the Twins were the Washington Senators July 27, 1949-May 6, 1950.

CENTRAL FOCUS: Tonight versus Minnesota marks the ninth 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 64 games of the season, 42 are versus teams in the American League Central Division. The Tigers are 20-10 against clubs from the American League Central Division this season, a .667 winning percentage. Detroit is tops among all American League clubs with the .667 winning percentage against the division.

CABRERA SLUGS AGAINST THE TWINS: Miguel Cabrera enters tonight’s game versus Minnesota hitting .300 (70x233) with 17 doubles, 18 home runs and 52 RBI in 63 games during his career against the club. He is fifth among all active major league players with a .605 slugging percentage against the Twins.

BOESCH IS BASHING: Brennan Boesch enters this evening’s game against the Twins hitting .350 (56x160) with 12 doubles, 10 home runs and 23 RBI over his last 40 games dating back to June 3. He is third in the American League with a .350 batting average and .613 slugging percentage during that stretch, while he is sixth with 56 hits, tied for sixth with 12 doubles and tied for seventh with 10 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 .339 (61x180) with 13 doubles, two home runs and 29 RBI over his last 48 games dating back to May 27. He is third among all American League players with a .339 batting average during that stretch.

TIGERS AGREE TO TERMS WITH TWO DRAFT SELECTIONS: The Tigers today announced the club has agreed to terms with two players selected in the 2011 MLB First-Year Player Draft: first baseman Aaron Westlake from Vanderbilt University (third round) and righthanded pitcher Tommy Collier from San Jacinto College (22nd round). Westlake was tabbed a Second-Team All-American by Baseball America after hitting .344 (86x250) with 18 doubles, 18 home runs and 56 RBI in 66 games. Collier was pitching with Bourne in the Cape Cod League this summer and he compiled a 3-1 record, 1.04 ERA (26.0IP/3ER) and 26 strikeouts in five starts. The Tigers now have agreed to terms with 28 of the club’s selections from this year’s draft.

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).


To track MLB play-by-play, to help post GDT outcomes: http://m.mlb.com/scores/

On the Internet
MLB.TV
Gameday Audio
• Gameday
• Official Press Pass game notes

On television

•
• Direct TV Extra Innings Schedule

On radio

• ,
• XM Channel Schedule



• Saturday, July 23:
Tigers (RHP Brad Penny (7-6, 4.47 ERA)) AT
Twins (RHP Scott Baker (7-5, 3.01 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)

• Monday, July 25:
Tigers (LHP Duane Below (0-0, 1.80 ERA)) AT
White Sox (LHP Mark Buehrle (7-5, 3.38 ERA)),
8:10 p.m. ET (FS-D HD / WXYT 97.1 FM & 1270 AM)

• Tuesday, July 26:
Tigers (RHP Justin Verlander (13-5, 2.24 ERA)) AT
White Sox (RHP Jake Peavy (4-4, 5.19 ERA)),
8:10 p.m. ET (FS-D HD / WXYT 97.1 FM & 1270 AM)

STARTING LINEUPS:

TIGERS

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

TWINS

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

DET - Top 1st
B:3 S:3 O:1
Austin Jackson out swinging.

B:3 S:1 O:1
Ryan Raburn homers (9) on a fly ball to left field.
1 - 0

B:1 S:3 O:2
Magglio Ordonez out swinging.

B:1 S:2 O:3
Miguel Cabrera flies out to left fielder Delmon Young.

MIN - Bot 1st
B:1 S:2 O:1
Ben Revere grounds out, second baseman Carlos Guillen to first baseman Victor Martinez.

B:3 S:2 O:2
Alexi Casilla grounds out to first baseman Victor Martinez.

B:2 S:2 O:3
Joe Mauer grounds out, second baseman Carlos Guillen to first baseman Victor Martinez.

1 - 0 AFTER 1 INNING

DET - Top 2nd
B:1 S:3 O:1
Victor Martinez out on foul tip.

B:1 S:1 O:1
Jhonny Peralta homers (16) on a fly ball to left field.
2 - 0

B:2 S:3 O:2
Carlos Guillen out swinging.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Alex Avila singles on a line drive to center fielder Ben Revere.

B:2 S:3 O:3
Wilson Betemit out swinging.

MIN - Bot 2nd
B:3 S:2 O:0
Michael Cuddyer singles on a line drive to left fielder Ryan Raburn.

B:3 S:2 O:0
Jason Kubel singles on a line drive to center fielder Austin Jackson. Michael Cuddyer to 3rd.

B:2 S:2 O:1
Danny Valencia grounds out, third baseman Wilson Betemit to first baseman Victor Martinez. Michael Cuddyer scores. Jason Kubel to 2nd.
2 - 1

B:2 S:2 O:2
Jim Thome flies out to left fielder Ryan Raburn.

B:1 S:2 O:3
Delmon Young grounds out softly, third baseman Wilson Betemit to first baseman Victor Martinez.

2 - 1 AFTER 2 INNINGS

DET - Top 3rd
B:0 S:0 O:0
Austin Jackson singles on a bunt ground ball to first baseman Michael Cuddyer.

B:3 S:2 O:1
Ryan Raburn flies out to center fielder Ben Revere.

B:0 S:0 O:1
Magglio Ordonez singles on a ground ball to right fielder Jason Kubel. Austin Jackson to 2nd.

B:3 S:2 O:2
Miguel Cabrera grounds out, shortstop Tsuyoshi Nishioka to first baseman Michael Cuddyer. Austin Jackson to 3rd. Magglio Ordonez to 2nd.

B:4 S:2 O:2
Victor Martinez walks.

Coaching visit to mound.

B:2 S:1 O:2
Jhonny Peralta singles on a line drive to center fielder Ben Revere. Austin Jackson scores. Magglio Ordonez scores. Victor Martinez to 2nd.
4 - 1

B:1 S:1 O:3
Carlos Guillen grounds into a force out, shortstop Tsuyoshi Nishioka to second baseman Alexi Casilla. Jhonny Peralta out at 2nd.

MIN - Bot 3rd
B:2 S:3 O:1
Tsuyoshi Nishioka out on foul tip.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Ben Revere pops out to shortstop Jhonny Peralta.

B:1 S:0 O:2
Alexi Casilla doubles (19) on a fly ball to right fielder Magglio Ordonez.

B:0 S:1 O:3
Joe Mauer grounds out, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Victor Martinez.

4 - 1 AFTER 3 INNINGS

DET - Top 4th
B:0 S:0 O:1
Alex Avila lines out to right fielder Jason Kubel.

B:2 S:3 O:2
Wilson Betemit out swinging.

B:2 S:2 O:3
Austin Jackson grounds out, second baseman Alexi Casilla to first baseman Michael Cuddyer.

MIN - Bot 4th
B:2 S:3 O:1
Michael Cuddyer out swinging.

B:2 S:1 O:2
Jason Kubel flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:0 S:0 O:3
Danny Valencia pops out to second baseman Carlos Guillen.

4 - 1 AFTER 4 INNINGS

DET - Top 5th
B:1 S:0 O:0
Ryan Raburn singles on a ground ball to second baseman Alexi Casilla.

B:0 S:1 O:0
Magglio Ordonez singles on a soft line drive to right fielder Jason Kubel. Ryan Raburn to 3rd.

B:3 S:3 O:1
Miguel Cabrera called out on .

B:2 S:0 O:2
Victor Martinez reaches on a fielder's choice out, third baseman Danny Valencia to catcher Joe Mauer to third baseman Danny Valencia to pitcher Brian Duensing. Ryan Raburn out at home. Magglio Ordonez to 3rd on the throw.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Jhonny Peralta doubles (18) on a fly ball to left fielder Delmon Young. Magglio Ordonez scores. Victor Martinez to 3rd.
5 - 1

Pitcher Change: Alex Burnett replaces Brian Duensing.

Coaching visit to mound.

B:2 S:1 O:2
Carlos Guillen singles on a ground ball to center fielder Ben Revere. Victor Martinez scores. Jhonny Peralta scores.
7 - 1

B:4 S:2 O:2
Alex Avila walks. Carlos Guillen to 2nd.

B:1 S:3 O:3
Wilson Betemit called out on .

MIN - Bot 5th
B:3 S:2 O:0
Jim Thome singles on a ground ball to right fielder Magglio Ordonez.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Delmon Young grounds into double play, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to second baseman Carlos Guillen to first baseman Victor Martinez. Jim Thome out at 2nd.

Injury Delay.

B:2 S:3 O:3
Tsuyoshi Nishioka out swinging.

7 - 1 AFTER 5 INNINGS

DET - Top 6th
B:0 S:3 O:1
Austin Jackson out on foul tip.

B:1 S:1 O:1
Ryan Raburn hit by pitch.

B:2 S:0 O:2
Magglio Ordonez flies out to center fielder Ben Revere.

B:1 S:2 O:2
Miguel Cabrera singles on a ground ball to center fielder Ben Revere, deflected by shortstop Tsuyoshi Nishioka. Ryan Raburn to 3rd.

B:0 S:2 O:2
Victor Martinez singles on a line drive to center fielder Ben Revere. Ryan Raburn scores. Miguel Cabrera to 2nd.
8 - 1

B:0 S:3 O:3
Jhonny Peralta called out on .

MIN - Bot 6th
Defensive Substitution: Don Kelly replaces right fielder Magglio Ordonez, batting 3rd, playing right field.

B:2 S:1 O:1
Ben Revere grounds out softly, third baseman Wilson Betemit to first baseman Victor Martinez.

B:2 S:1 O:2
Alexi Casilla flies out to right fielder Don Kelly.

B:3 S:1 O:3
Joe Mauer lines out to third baseman Wilson Betemit.

8 - 1 AFTER 6 INNINGS

DET - Top 7th
Pitcher Change: Jose Mijares replaces Alex Burnett.

B:1 S:2 O:1
Carlos Guillen grounds out, second baseman Alexi Casilla to first baseman Michael Cuddyer.

B:3 S:2 O:2
Alex Avila grounds out, second baseman Alexi Casilla to first baseman Michael Cuddyer.

B:3 S:2 O:2
Wilson Betemit singles on a line drive to right fielder Jason Kubel.

B:0 S:1 O:3
Austin Jackson grounds out, shortstop Tsuyoshi Nishioka to first baseman Michael Cuddyer.

MIN - Bot 7th
Defensive Substitution: Ramon Santiago replaces second baseman Carlos Guillen, batting 7th, playing second base.

B:2 S:3 O:1
Michael Cuddyer out swinging.

B:4 S:2 O:1
Jason Kubel walks.

B:1 S:2 O:2
Danny Valencia flies out to right fielder Don Kelly.

B:0 S:1 O:3
Jim Thome flies out to left fielder Ryan Raburn.

8 - 1 AFTER 7 INNINGS

DET - Top 8th
B:2 S:2 O:1
Ryan Raburn pops out to first baseman Michael Cuddyer in foul territory.

B:0 S:2 O:2
Don Kelly flies out to left fielder Delmon Young.

B:2 S:2 O:3
Miguel Cabrera flies out to left fielder Delmon Young.

MIN - Bot 8th
Pitcher Change: Al Alburquerque replaces Max Scherzer.

B:4 S:0 O:0
Delmon Young walks.

B:2 S:2 O:1
Tsuyoshi Nishioka grounds into a force out, second baseman Ramon Santiago to shortstop Jhonny Peralta. Delmon Young out at 2nd. Tsuyoshi Nishioka to 1st.

B:2 S:3 O:2
Ben Revere out swinging.

B:0 S:2 O:2
Alexi Casilla singles on a pop up to shortstop Jhonny Peralta. Tsuyoshi Nishioka to 3rd.

B:1 S:2 O:3
Joe Mauer flies out to left fielder Ryan Raburn.

8 - 1 AFTER 8 INNINGS

DET - Top 9th
Pitcher Change: Glen Perkins replaces Jose Mijares.

B:2 S:1 O:1
Victor Martinez grounds out, shortstop Tsuyoshi Nishioka to first baseman Michael Cuddyer.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Jhonny Peralta pops out to first baseman Michael Cuddyer in foul territory.

B:0 S:0 O:3
Ramon Santiago pops out to catcher Joe Mauer in foul territory.

MIN - Bot 9th
Pitcher Change: Lester Oliveros replaces Al Alburquerque.

B:1 S:2 O:1
Michael Cuddyer grounds out, second baseman Ramon Santiago to first baseman Victor Martinez.

B:4 S:2 O:1
Jason Kubel walks.

Offensive Substitution: Pinch runner Jason Repko replaces Jason Kubel.

B:1 S:1 O:1
Danny Valencia singles on a ground ball to left fielder Ryan Raburn. Jason Repko to 2nd.

Coaching visit to mound.

B:2 S:2 O:1
Jim Thome singles on a ground ball to center fielder Austin Jackson. Jason Repko scores. Danny Valencia to 3rd.
8 - 2

Offensive Substitution: Pinch runner Luke Hughes replaces Jim Thome.

Coaching visit to mound.

Pitcher Change: Jose Valverde replaces Lester Oliveros.

B:1 S:1 O:3
Delmon Young grounds into double play, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to second baseman Ramon Santiago to first baseman Victor Martinez. Luke Hughes out at 2nd.