GDT: 7/23/11 - DET (53-46) AT MIN (46-53) - 4:10 p.m. ET

Baker returns from DL to face division-rival Tigers

By Cash Kruth / MLB.com | 7/23/2011 12:14 AM ET

The Tigers look to continue their dominance against the Twins on Saturday, while Minnesota hopes a fresh pitcher will be Detroit's kryptonite.

Minnesota right-hander Scott Baker (strained right flexor muscle) will return from the disabled list to make his first start since July 5, and will try to snap the Twins' 11-game losing streak against the Tigers.

Baker threw a bullpen session on Wednesday and said he felt good to go. Twins trainer Rick McWane echoed Baker's thoughts on Friday, saying that the right-hander "has no problems." Baker said the bullpen session went as well as could be expected.

"The intensity was about as good as it's going to get just testing it out," Baker said. "Obviously you can't duplicate game intensity. But I did everything I could to test it to make sure the strength was good."

The Tigers, meanwhile, look to extend what already is their longest winning streak against their division rivals, which dates back to Sept. 2, 2010. Prior to their current stretch, the Tigers had recorded a nine-game winning streak against Minnesota three different times, with the last one coming July 27, 1949 to May 6, 1950, when the Twins were the Washington Senators.

After the Tigers recorded their 10th straight win against the Twins on Thursday, skipper Jim Leyland tried to downplay the streak.

"I think it's just one of those things," Leyland said. "I think things go in cycles. We've had some success against them recently, but in fairness, they had a lot of their guys missing in some of that stretch. They still don't have all their guys out there. So I don't put much stock in that."

Tigers: Penny goes for third straight victory
Right-hander Brad Penny takes the mound for the Tigers on Saturday gunning for his third straight victory. Penny has pitched well as of late, posting a 3.38 ERA in his last four starts, working into the seventh inning in each. He last faced the Twins on May 30, allowing five runs on 10 hits in six innings to take a no-decision. He is 2-0 with a 5.79 ERA in four career starts against Minnesota.

• Closer Jose Valverde has converted 25 straight saves, the third-longest mark in franchise history.

Twins: Kubel returns to action
Jason Kubel returned from the 15-day disabled list on Friday, going 1-for-2 with two walks in his first game back. When Kubel was placed on the DL (retroactive to May 31), the Twins were 17-36 and 14 1/2 games back in the American League Central. Now the club is 46-53 and just seven games back of the Tigers.

"We're in a lot better shape coming back than when I left, that's for sure," Kubel said. "So that made it a little easier, sitting back and watching them play. I had a good time watching them play well and win some games. So now to finally be a part of that, I want to keep it going and not look back."

Kubel returned at the perfect time. Since 2009, he is hitting .348 with 14 doubles, four home runs and 28 RBIs against the Tigers.

• Joe Nathan has a .175 ERA in his last 11 games since returning from the DL, allowing only five hits, striking out seven and walking zero. He is two saves away from tying Rick Aguilera (254) for first on the Twins all-time saves list.

Worth noting
• Joe Mauer is ninth on the Twins all-time walks list with 447, one away from tying Tony Oliva and three away from tying Kirby Puckett (450).

• Detroit's Joaquin Benoit is 1-0 with a 1.69 ERA and 22 strikeouts in his last 25 outings.

• Current Tigers are hitting .342 against Baker, with Magglio Ordonez batting .469 with two homers and 11 RBIs against the right-hander.


Tigers: RHP Brad Penny (7-6, 4.47 ERA)

Penny has struggled early in his last two starts, but rebounded to pick up wins in both of them. He has given up three runs or fewer in six of his last eight starts and had at least 10 groundouts in seven of those starts.


Twins: RHP Scott Baker (7-5, 3.01 ERA)

Baker threw a bullpen on Wednesday with no problems and will return to action on Saturday against the Tigers. He last started on July 5, but left that start after five innings due to a right flexor muscle strain.


Game Information



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
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• Gameday
• Official Press Pass game notes

On television

• FOX
• Direct TV Extra Innings Schedule

On radio

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• XM Channel Schedule



• 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)

• Wednesday, July 27:
Tigers (RHP Max Scherzer (11-5, 4.35 ERA)) AT
White Sox (LHP John Danks (3-8, 3.92 ERA)),
2:10 p.m. ET (FS-D HD / WXYT 97.1 FM & 1270 AM)

STARTING LINEUPS:

TIGERS

1. Andy Dirks, CF
   
2. Brennan Boesch, LF
   
3. Magglio Ordonez, RF
   
4. Miguel Cabrera, 1B
   
5. Victor Martinez, DH
   
6. Jhonny Peralta, SS
   
7. Carlos Guillen, 2B
   
8. Alex Avila, C
   
9. Don Kelly, 3B
   

P: Brad Penny

TWINS

1. Ben Revere, CF
   
2. Alexi Casilla, 2B
   
3. Joe Mauer, C
   
4. Michael Cuddyer, 1B
   
5. Jason Kubel, DH
   
6. Danny Valencia, 3B
   
7. Delmon Young, LF
   
8. Trevor Plouffe, RF
   
9. Tsuyoshi Nishioka, SS
   

P: Scott Baker

DET - Top 1st
B:1 S:2 O:1
Andy Dirks flies out to center fielder Ben Revere.

B:1 S:3 O:2
Brennan Boesch out swinging.

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

B:1 S:2 O:2
Miguel Cabrera singles on a fly ball to center fielder Ben Revere. Magglio Ordonez to 3rd.

B:0 S:0 O:3
Victor Martinez pops out to shortstop Tsuyoshi Nishioka.

MIN - Bot 1st
B:4 S:2 O:0
Ben Revere walks.

B:2 S:1 O:1
Alexi Casilla flies out to right fielder Magglio Ordonez.

B:0 S:1 O:2
Joe Mauer grounds out softly to first baseman Miguel Cabrera. Ben Revere to 2nd.

B:0 S:2 O:2
Michael Cuddyer singles on a ground ball to left fielder Brennan Boesch. Ben Revere scores.
MIN 1 - 0

B:1 S:1 O:3
Jason Kubel grounds out softly to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

MIN 1 - 0 AFTER 1 INNING

DET - Top 2nd
B:1 S:0 O:1
Jhonny Peralta pops out to shortstop Tsuyoshi Nishioka.

B:3 S:2 O:2
Carlos Guillen flies out to center fielder Ben Revere.

B:3 S:2 O:3
Alex Avila flies out to center fielder Ben Revere.

MIN - Bot 2nd
B:2 S:0 O:0
Danny Valencia homers (12) on a fly ball to left field.
MIN 2 - 0

B:1 S:0 O:1
Delmon Young grounds out, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Trevor Plouffe flies out to right fielder Magglio Ordonez.

B:1 S:3 O:3
Tsuyoshi Nishioka out on foul tip.

MIN 2 - 0 AFTER 2 INNINGS

DET - Top 3rd
B:1 S:2 O:1
Don Kelly pops out to second baseman Alexi Casilla.

B:3 S:3 O:2
Andy Dirks out swinging.

B:2 S:3 O:3
Brennan Boesch s out swinging.

MIN - Bot 3rd
B:3 S:1 O:0
Ben Revere singles on a line drive to left fielder Brennan Boesch.

With Alexi Casilla batting, Ben Revere steals (14) 2nd base.

B:4 S:1 O:0
Alexi Casilla walks.

Coaching visit to mound.

B:2 S:1 O:2
Joe Mauer grounds into double play, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to second baseman Carlos Guillen to first baseman Miguel Cabrera. Ben Revere to 3rd. Alexi Casilla out at 2nd.

B:1 S:1 O:3
Michael Cuddyer grounds out, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.


MIN 2 - 0 AFTER 3 INNINGS

DET - Top 4th
B:4 S:1 O:0
Magglio Ordonez walks.

B:1 S:1 O:1
Miguel Cabrera pops out to shortstop Tsuyoshi Nishioka.

B:2 S:3 O:2
Victor Martinez out swinging.

B:2 S:0 O:3
Jhonny Peralta pops out to shortstop Tsuyoshi Nishioka.

MIN - Bot 4th
B:1 S:0 O:0
Jason Kubel singles on a line drive to right fielder Magglio Ordonez.

With Danny Valencia batting, wild pitch by Brad Penny, Jason Kubel to 2nd.

B:4 S:0 O:0
Danny Valencia walks.

B:2 S:1 O:0
Delmon Young doubles (14) on a fly ball to center fielder Andy Dirks. Jason Kubel scores. Danny Valencia scores.
MIN 4 - 0

B:2 S:3 O:1
Trevor Plouffe out swinging.

B:2 S:2 O:1
Tsuyoshi Nishioka singles on a ground ball to shortstop Jhonny Peralta. Delmon Young advances to 3rd, on throwing error by shortstop Jhonny Peralta.

B:2 S:0 O:3
Ben Revere grounds into double play, second baseman Carlos Guillen to shortstop Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Miguel Cabrera. Tsuyoshi Nishioka out at 2nd.


MIN 4 - 0 AFTER 4 INNINGS

DET - Top 5th
B:1 S:1 O:0
Carlos Guillen singles on a line drive to right fielder Trevor Plouffe.

With Alex Avila batting, Carlos Guillen caught stealing 2nd base, catcher Joe Mauer to shortstop Tsuyoshi Nishioka.

B:0 S:3 O:2
Alex Avila out swinging.

B:0 S:2 O:3
Don Kelly flies out to left fielder Delmon Young.

MIN - Bot 5th
B:0 S:0 O:1
Alexi Casilla grounds out to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:1 S:3 O:2
Joe Mauer out swinging.

B:2 S:2 O:3
Michael Cuddyer lines out softly to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

MIN 4 - 0 AFTER 5 INNINGS

DET - Top 6th
Pitcher Change: Anthony Swarzak replaces Scott Baker.

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

B:2 S:1 O:1
Brennan Boesch singles on a line drive to right fielder Trevor Plouffe.

B:1 S:2 O:2
Magglio Ordonez grounds out softly, third baseman Danny Valencia to first baseman Michael Cuddyer. Brennan Boesch to 2nd.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Miguel Cabrera doubles (24) on a fly ball to right fielder Trevor Plouffe. Brennan Boesch scores.
MIN 4 - 1

B:2 S:1 O:3
Victor Martinez flies out to left fielder Delmon Young.

MIN - Bot 6th
B:0 S:2 O:1
Jason Kubel flies out to left fielder Brennan Boesch.

B:2 S:1 O:2
Danny Valencia grounds out, third baseman Don Kelly to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:2 S:3 O:3
Delmon Young out on foul tip.

MIN 4 - 1 AFTER 6 INNINGS

DET - Top 7th
B:0 S:2 O:0
Jhonny Peralta singles on a soft line drive to left fielder Delmon Young.

Pitcher Change: Phil Dumatrait replaces Anthony Swarzak.

Coaching visit to mound.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Carlos Guillen grounds into double play, shortstop Tsuyoshi Nishioka to second baseman Alexi Casilla to first baseman Michael Cuddyer. Jhonny Peralta out at 2nd.

B:4 S:0 O:2
Alex Avila walks.

Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Wilson Betemit replaces Don Kelly.

B:1 S:3 O:3
Wilson Betemit out swinging.

MIN - Bot 7th
Wilson Betemit remains in the game as the third baseman.

B:0 S:1 O:1
Trevor Plouffe flies out to right fielder Magglio Ordonez.

B:2 S:2 O:1
Tsuyoshi Nishioka singles on a line drive to left fielder Brennan Boesch.

B:0 S:0 O:3
Ben Revere grounds into double play, second baseman Carlos Guillen to shortstop Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Miguel Cabrera. Tsuyoshi Nishioka out at 2nd.

MIN 4 - 1 AFTER 7 INNINGS

DET - Top 8th
Defensive Substitution: Jason Repko replaces right fielder Trevor Plouffe, batting 8th, playing right field.

Pitcher Change: Glen Perkins replaces Phil Dumatrait.

Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Ryan Raburn replaces Andy Dirks.

B:0 S:1 O:0
Ryan Raburn doubles (15) on a line drive to left fielder Delmon Young.

B:0 S:0 O:1
Brennan Boesch grounds out to first baseman Michael Cuddyer. Ryan Raburn to 3rd.

B:0 S:3 O:2
Magglio Ordonez out swinging.

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

MIN - Bot 8th
Ryan Raburn remains in the game as the center fielder.

Pitcher Change: David Purcey replaces Brad Penny.

B:1 S:2 O:1
Alexi Casilla grounds out, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:4 S:2 O:1
Joe Mauer walks.

B:4 S:2 O:1
Michael Cuddyer walks. Joe Mauer to 2nd.

B:2 S:3 O:2
Jason Kubel called out on .

Coaching visit to mound.

Pitcher Change: Lester Oliveros replaces David Purcey.

B:0 S:1 O:3
Danny Valencia flies out to right fielder Magglio Ordonez.

MIN 4 - 1 AFTER 8 INNINGS

DET - Top 9th
Pitcher Change: Joe Nathan replaces Glen Perkins.

B:1 S:2 O:1
Victor Martinez pops out to shortstop Tsuyoshi Nishioka.

B:0 S:0 O:1
Jhonny Peralta doubles (19) on a line drive to left fielder Delmon Young.

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

B:1 S:0 O:3
Alex Avila grounds out, first baseman Michael Cuddyer to pitcher Joe Nathan.