GDT: 7/24/11 - DET (53-47) AT MIN (47-53) - 4:10 p.m. ET

Twins aim to break even against Tigers

By Cash Kruth / MLB.com | 7/23/2011 5:50 PM ET

It took a while, but the Twins finally beat the Tigers. After snapping an 11-game losing streak against the Tigers on Saturday, Minnesota goes for two in a row against its division rival behind left-hander Francisco Liriano on Sunday.

The Twins could use a solid outing from Liriano, as they are coming off two consecutive games in which their pitchers didn't make it past the fifth inning. Liriano was effectively wild in his most recent start, walking four but holding the Indians to just one run through six innings in an eventual Twins win.

"I was throwing the ball down and wasn't missing up," Liriano said afterward. "It's a good thing when you're missing down and not up. So I walked a couple guys trying to overthrow and trying to be too perfect. That's one thing I've been doing wrong."

Liriano will face a stiff test against a Tigers squad that has given the left-hander problems throughout his career. He is 4-5 with a 5.06 ERA against Detroit, his highest ERA against any team he's faced at least five times.

While Liriano has struggled against the Tigers, Detroit sends out a pitcher who has fared well against the Twins throughout his short career. Right-hander Rick Porcello comes in with a 4-3 record and 2.67 ERA in nine career starts against the Twins. He's beaten Minnesota twice this year, most recently on June 1, when he held them to two runs over 6 2/3 innings.

Porcello is riding a three-game winning streak, including a solid six-inning victory against Oakland in his most recent start.

"I think we're just using a better mix of off-speed stuff," Porcello said afterward of his recent success. "I think that's keeping guys off balance."

Tigers: Peralta enjoys Target Field
• Tigers shortstop Jhonny Peralta has thrived at Target Field since its debut, hitting .438 with three doubles, five homers and 15 RBIs in 13 career games at the ballpark. Peralta hasn't always enjoyed coming to Minnesota, however. He hit only .225 with three home runs and 17 RBIs in 51 career games at the Metrodome.

"The thing that is different here is the field; before, they had a dome," Peralta said. "This field here, I feel really comfortable. I see the ball really well and make contact. I just feel different here."

• Jose Valverde has converted 25 straight saves to begin the season, the third-longest such streak in team history.

• Reliever Joaquin Benoit is 1-0 with a 1.69 ERA and 22 strikeouts in his last 25 appearances.

Twins: Blyleven to be inducted
• Former Twins pitcher Bert Blyleven will be inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y., on Sunday. The ceremony begins at 12:30 p.m. CT and can be seen on MLB Network and live via stream on MLB.com. Blyleven's speech is scheduled to begin at 1:50 p.m. and will be shown on video boards at Target Field prior to Minnesota's game against the Tigers. Blyleven will join Harmon Killebrew, Rod Carew and Kirby Puckett as Twins Hall of Famers.

• Catcher Joe Mauer, tied with Tony Oliva for eighth on the club's all-time walks list with 148, is now two free passes away from tying Puckett for seventh.

Worth noting
• Minnesota's victory on Saturday was their first over Detroit since Sept. 1, 2010.

• Minnesota's Jason Kubel is hitting .346 with 14 doubles, four home runs and 28 RBIs against the Tigers since 2009. He is 11-for-22 with three doubles and a home run against Porcello.

• Twins reliever Glen Perkins has allowed only one earned run in his past 15 appearances, spanning 13 innings.


Tigers: RHP Rick Porcello (9-6, 4.76 ERA)

After a rough June, Porcello has pitched three quality starts and picked up three wins in July. He gave up three runs over six innings in his last outing, against the Athletics. He has a 2.67 ERA in nine starts against the Twins.


Twins: LHP Francisco Liriano (6-7, 4.56 ERA)

Walking four and plunking another, Liriano was effectively wild as he struck out five and allowed just four hits and a run over six frames in his last outing against the Indians. Liriano has a 1.50 ERA in two starts since the All-Star break.


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/

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On television

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• Direct TV Extra Innings Schedule

On radio

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• XM Channel Schedule


• Monday, July 25:
Tigers (LHP Duane Below (0-0, 1.80 ERA)) AT
White Sox (RHP Philip Humber (8-6, 3.27 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 (LHP Mark Buehrle (7-5, 3.38 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 (RHP Jake Peavy (4-4, 5.19 ERA)),
2:10 p.m. ET (FS-D HD / WXYT 97.1 FM & 1270 AM)

STARTING LINEUPS:

Detroit Tigers
1. Austin Jackson, CF
2. Brennan Boesch, LF
3. Magglio Ordonez, DH
4. Miguel Cabrera, 1B
5. Victor Martinez, C
6. Jhonny Peralta, SS
7. Ryan Raburn, RF
8. Wilson Betemit, 3B
9. Ramon Santiago, 2B

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

DET - Top 1st
B:1 S:1 O:1
Austin Jackson grounds out, third baseman Danny Valencia to first baseman Michael Cuddyer.

B:0 S:1 O:1
Brennan Boesch singles on a ground ball to second baseman Alexi Casilla.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Magglio Ordonez flies out to right fielder Jason Kubel.

B:4 S:1 O:2
Miguel Cabrera walks. Brennan Boesch to 2nd.

B:2 S:2 O:3
Victor Martinez grounds out, third baseman Danny Valencia to first baseman Michael Cuddyer.

MIN - Bot 1st
B:0 S:1 O:1
Ben Revere grounds out, pitcher Rick Porcello to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:1 S:2 O:1
Alexi Casilla singles on a sharp ground ball to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:1 S:1 O:1
Joe Mauer singles on a ground ball to left fielder Brennan Boesch. Alexi Casilla to 3rd.

B:1 S:1 O:3
Michael Cuddyer grounds into double play, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to second baseman Ramon Santiago to first baseman Miguel Cabrera. Joe Mauer out at 2nd.

0 - 0 AFTER 1 INNING

DET - Top 2nd
B:0 S:3 O:1
Jhonny Peralta out swinging.

B:4 S:0 O:1
Ryan Raburn walks.

With Wilson Betemit batting, wild pitch by Francisco Liriano, Ryan Raburn to 2nd.

B:1 S:3 O:2
Wilson Betemit out swinging.

B:2 S:2 O:2
Ramon Santiago singles on a ground ball to third baseman Danny Valencia. Ryan Raburn to 3rd.

With Austin Jackson batting, wild pitch by Francisco Liriano, Ryan Raburn scores. Ramon Santiago to 2nd.
1 - 0

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

Coaching visit to mound.

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

MIN - Bot 2nd
B:3 S:3 O:1
Jason Kubel out swinging.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Danny Valencia lines out to shortstop Jhonny Peralta.

B:2 S:2 O:2
Jim Thome doubles (6) on a line drive to right fielder Ryan Raburn.

B:1 S:1 O:3
Delmon Young pops out to second baseman Ramon Santiago.

1 - 0 AFTER 2 INNINGS

DET - Top 3rd
B:4 S:0 O:0
Magglio Ordonez walks.

B:3 S:3 O:1
Miguel Cabrera out swinging. Magglio Ordonez steals (1) 2nd base.

B:1 S:2 O:1
Victor Martinez singles on a soft ground ball to third baseman Danny Valencia. Magglio Ordonez to 3rd.

B:2 S:1 O:1
Jhonny Peralta singles on a soft fly ball to center fielder Ben Revere. Magglio Ordonez scores. Victor Martinez to 2nd.
2 - 0

B:3 S:1 O:1
Ryan Raburn singles on a ground ball to left fielder Delmon Young. Victor Martinez to 3rd. Jhonny Peralta to 2nd.

Coaching visit to mound.

B:2 S:2 O:1
Wilson Betemit singles on a line drive to right fielder Jason Kubel. Victor Martinez scores. Jhonny Peralta to 3rd. Ryan Raburn to 2nd.
3 - 0

Pitcher Change: Anthony Swarzak replaces Francisco Liriano.

Coaching visit to mound.

B:0 S:0 O:1
Ramon Santiago reaches on force attempt, fielding error by second baseman Alexi Casilla. Jhonny Peralta scores. Ryan Raburn to 3rd. Wilson Betemit to 2nd.
4 - 0

B:0 S:0 O:2
Austin Jackson grounds into a force out, third baseman Danny Valencia to catcher Joe Mauer. Ryan Raburn out at home. Wilson Betemit to 3rd. Ramon Santiago to 2nd. Austin Jackson to 1st.

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

MIN - Bot 3rd
B:0 S:3 O:1
Tsuyoshi Nishioka out swinging.

B:4 S:2 O:1
Ben Revere walks.

With Alexi Casilla batting, Ben Revere steals (15) 2nd base.

B:2 S:2 O:2
Alexi Casilla grounds out, second baseman Ramon Santiago to first baseman Miguel Cabrera. Ben Revere to 3rd.

B:3 S:2 O:3
Joe Mauer flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.

4 - 0 AFTER 3 INNINGS

DET - Top 4th
B:1 S:2 O:1
Magglio Ordonez grounds out, second baseman Alexi Casilla to first baseman Michael Cuddyer.

B:3 S:3 O:2
Miguel Cabrera out swinging.

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

MIN - Bot 4th
B:4 S:0 O:0
Michael Cuddyer walks.

B:2 S:3 O:1
Jason Kubel out swinging.

B:1 S:1 O:1
Danny Valencia doubles (19) on a ground ball to left fielder Brennan Boesch. Michael Cuddyer to 3rd.

B:1 S:0 O:2
Jim Thome grounds out, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Miguel Cabrera. Michael Cuddyer scores. Danny Valencia to 3rd.
4 - 1

B:1 S:1 O:2
Delmon Young doubles (15) on a line drive to left fielder Brennan Boesch. Danny Valencia scores.
4 - 2

Coaching visit to mound.

B:2 S:3 O:3
Tsuyoshi Nishioka called out on .

4 - 2 AFTER 4 INNINGS

DET - Top 5th
B:1 S:2 O:1
Jhonny Peralta grounds out, second baseman Alexi Casilla to first baseman Michael Cuddyer.

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

B:4 S:1 O:2
Wilson Betemit walks.

B:0 S:0 O:3
Ramon Santiago lines out to right fielder Jason Kubel.

MIN - Bot 5th
B:1 S:0 O:1
Ben Revere bunt grounds out, pitcher Rick Porcello to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:2 S:2 O:2
Alexi Casilla grounds out, second baseman Ramon Santiago to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:1 S:0 O:3
Joe Mauer flies out to left fielder Brennan Boesch.

4 - 2 AFTER 5 INNINGS

DET - Top 6th
B:2 S:2 O:0
Austin Jackson doubles (14) on a line drive to left fielder Delmon Young.

B:1 S:2 O:1
Brennan Boesch flies out to center fielder Ben Revere.

B:0 S:2 O:2
Magglio Ordonez flies out to right fielder Jason Kubel. Austin Jackson to 3rd.

With Miguel Cabrera batting, wild pitch by Anthony Swarzak, Austin Jackson scores.
5 - 2

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

Pitcher Change: Chuck James replaces Anthony Swarzak.

Coaching visit to mound.

B:2 S:2 O:2
Victor Martinez singles on a fly ball to center fielder Ben Revere. Miguel Cabrera to 2nd.

B:1 S:2 O:3
Jhonny Peralta flies out to left fielder Delmon Young.

MIN - Bot 6th
B:0 S:1 O:1
Michael Cuddyer grounds out, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

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

B:1 S:1 O:3
Danny Valencia flies out to left fielder Brennan Boesch in foul territory.

5 - 2 AFTER 6 INNINGS

DET - Top 7th
B:3 S:3 O:1
Ryan Raburn out swinging.

B:2 S:2 O:2
Wilson Betemit flies out to center fielder Ben Revere.

B:4 S:2 O:2
Ramon Santiago walks.

B:0 S:3 O:3
Austin Jackson out swinging.

MIN - Bot 7th
Pitcher Change: Al Alburquerque replaces Rick Porcello.

B:2 S:3 O:1
Jim Thome out swinging.

B:2 S:2 O:1
Delmon Young singles on a line drive to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:1 S:3 O:2
Tsuyoshi Nishioka out swinging.

B:3 S:2 O:3
Ben Revere grounds out, pitcher Al Alburquerque to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

5 - 2 AFTER 7 INNINGS

DET - Top 8th
Pitcher Change: Alex Burnett replaces Chuck James.

B:0 S:3 O:1
Brennan Boesch out swinging.

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

B:1 S:2 O:3
Miguel Cabrera lines out to third baseman Danny Valencia.

MIN - Bot 8th
Defensive Substitution: Don Kelly replaces left fielder Brennan Boesch, batting 2nd, playing right field.

Defensive switch from right field to left field for Ryan Raburn.

Pitcher Change: Joaquin Benoit replaces Al Alburquerque.

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

B:0 S:2 O:2
Joe Mauer flies out to left fielder Ryan Raburn.

B:3 S:2 O:3
Michael Cuddyer flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.

5 - 2 AFTER 8 INNINGS

DET - Top 9th
Pitcher Change: Matt Capps replaces Alex Burnett.

B:0 S:0 O:0
Victor Martinez singles on a sharp ground ball to center fielder Ben Revere.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Jhonny Peralta grounds into double play, third baseman Danny Valencia to second baseman Alexi Casilla to first baseman Michael Cuddyer. Victor Martinez out at 2nd.

B:2 S:0 O:3
Ryan Raburn flies out to center fielder Ben Revere.

MIN - Bot 9th
Pitcher Change: Jose Valverde replaces Joaquin Benoit.

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

B:1 S:0 O:1
Danny Valencia singles on a soft fly ball to right fielder Don Kelly.

With Jim Thome batting, Danny Valencia advances to 2nd on defensive indifference.

B:2 S:2 O:2
Jim Thome grounds out to first baseman Miguel Cabrera. Danny Valencia to 3rd.

B:1 S:3 O:3
Delmon Young out swinging.