GDT: 8/16/11 - DET (64-57) VS MIN (53-67) - 7:05 p.m. ET

Blackburn, Verlander face off in Detroit

By Cash Kruth / MLB.com | 8/15/2011 11:56 PM ET

Delmon Young's Tigers debut certainly got off to a powerful start.

On Tuesday, Young -- who on Monday was traded from Minnesota to Detroit -- will try to continue to make a good impression with his new club.

No question the biggest positive for Young in the trade is going from the fourth-place Twins to the first-place Tigers. But there is another plus. Young won't have to face Tigers right-hander Justin Verlander, who takes the hill Tuesday as a leading candidate for the American League Cy Young Award.

"It's going to save me some points in the stats and maybe a couple less strikeouts," Young said of not facing the right-hander. "It's great to play behind a guy like that."

Verlander will oppose Twins righty Nick Blackburn in the second of a three-game series Tuesday. Detroit's ace has done well against the Twins in his career, going 8-7 with a 3.55 ERA. The most recent of those outings came on July 21, when Verlander threw eight innings of one-run ball in Minnesota.

Because of games like those, Twins manager Ron Gardenhire knows what his team is up against in Verlander. He also knows how hot Young -- who hit .298 with 21 home runs and 112 RBIs for the Twins last season -- can get. Gardenhire said he's hoping he doesn't have to deal with Young hitting a hot streak during his team's series in Detroit.

"He had a great year for us last year. He's had a couple different bouts with an ankle injury, a rib injury and a foot injury in Spring Training. All those things come into play," Gardenhire said. "As Delmon would tell you, he's always been a slow starter. It's just carried over a little bit."

Twins: Blackburn on the bump
The Twins turn to Blackburn on Tuesday as they look to win their second straight against Detroit. The right-hander had a solid outing in his last start, allowing one unearned run in 6 2/3 innings against Boston. That start was a nice rebound from his prior three, in which he failed to make it out of the fifth inning in each. He is 4-5 with a 5.03 ERA in 12 games (10 starts) against the Tigers, the most recent coming on May 30, when he allowed five runs on seven hits in six-plus innings.

• Jim Thome became the eighth player in Major League history to join the 600 home run club on Monday. Thome went deep twice in Minnesota's 9-6 win.

• Infielder Tsuyoshi Nishioka had his nine-game hitting streak snapped Monday but is hitting .294 in his last 10 games.

Tigers: Raburn back at second
With the acquisition of Young and second baseman Carlos Guillen on the disabled list, second base belongs to Ryan Raburn for the foreseeable future. Raburn played his 42nd game of the season at second on Monday -- the same amount he's spent in left field -- and manager Jim Leyland said he'll gladly take Raburn's production at second.

"That's a scenario that's OK. Raburn's actually been swinging the bat good," Leyland said. "If he gives us a punch at second base, that would be a plus. If you think you're getting [an All-Star defensive player,] you're not. It's just the way it is. I'm willing to accept that."

• Outfielder Brennan Boesch, who has been dealing with a right thumb injury, said he'll return to the lineup Tuesday.

Worth noting
• The Tigers have won 12 of the last 14 meetings between the two teams. During that time, Minnesota has been outscored, 99-60, while posting a 6.80 ERA.

• Jason Kubel is .331 with 14 doubles and four home runs in his last 40 games against the Tigers.

• Joe Nathan is a perfect 32-for-32 in save opportunities against the Tigers.

Tigers: RHP Justin Verlander (17-5, 2.35 ERA)

Verlander will try to become the Majors' first 18-game winner this year and stretch his winning streak to six if he can continue his recent success against the Twins. He has allowed three runs over seven innings in back-to-back starts.


Twins: RHP Nick Blackburn (7-9, 4.36 ERA)

Blackburn, who had a 11.68 ERA over his previous three starts, looked sharp vs. Boston on Wednesday, allowing one unearned run on six hits over 6 2/3 innings. He said he made a fix with his mechanics and he thinks his sinker will be back on track.


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:

• INF Carlos Guillen (sore left wrist, 15-day disabled list on August 13),
• RHP Al Alburquerque (concussion, 7-day disabled list on August 12).
• RHP Joel Zumaya (right elbow olecranon fracture surgery, 60-day disabled list on March 30).
• LHP Brad Thomas (left elbow inflammation, 60-day DL on May 11)



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• Wednesday, August 17:
Tigers (RHP Brad Penny (8-9, 4.99 ERA)) VS
Twins (RHP Carl Pavano (6-9, 4.55 ERA)),
7:05 p.m. ET (FS-D HD / WXYT 97.1 FM & 1270 AM)

• Thursday, August 18:
OFF DAY

STARTING LINEUP:

TIGERS

Austin Jackson, CF
Brennan Boesch, RF
Delmon Young, LF
Miguel Cabrera, 1B
Victor Martinez, DH
Alex Avila, C
Jhonny Peralta, SS
Don Kelly, 3B
Ramon Santiago, 2B

MIN - Top 1st
B:2 S:2 O:0
Ben Revere singles on a line drive to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:0 S:3 O:1
Trevor Plouffe called out on .

With Joe Mauer batting, wild pitch by Justin Verlander, Ben Revere to 2nd.

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

B:3 S:2 O:2
Justin Morneau pops out to third baseman Don Kelly in foul territory.

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

DET - Bot 1st
B:1 S:1 O:1
Austin Jackson grounds out, shortstop Tsuyoshi Nishioka to first baseman Justin Morneau.

B:2 S:0 O:2
Brennan Boesch grounds out, second baseman Trevor Plouffe to first baseman Justin Morneau.

B:2 S:2 O:2
Delmon Young singles on a ground ball to right fielder Jason Kubel.

With Miguel Cabrera batting, passed ball by Drew Butera, Delmon Young to 2nd.

B:1 S:3 O:3
Miguel Cabrera out swinging.

0 - 0 AFTER 1 INNING

MIN - Top 2nd
B:2 S:2 O:0
Danny Valencia doubles (22) on a ground ball to left fielder Delmon Young.

B:0 S:0 O:1
Rene Tosoni flies out to left fielder Delmon Young.

B:0 S:1 O:2
Tsuyoshi Nishioka grounds out, pitcher Justin Verlander to first baseman Miguel Cabrera. Danny Valencia to 3rd.

B:1 S:1 O:3
Drew Butera pops out to second baseman Ramon Santiago.

DET - Bot 2nd
B:2 S:0 O:1
Victor Martinez flies out to right fielder Jason Kubel.

B:4 S:0 O:1
Alex Avila walks.

B:0 S:2 O:1
Jhonny Peralta singles on a line drive to center fielder Ben Revere. Alex Avila to 2nd.

B:0 S:0 O:3
Don Kelly grounds into double play, pitcher Nick Blackburn to shortstop Tsuyoshi Nishioka to first baseman Justin Morneau. Jhonny Peralta out at 2nd.

0 - 0 AFTER 2 INNINGS

MIN - Top 3rd
B:1 S:1 O:1
Ben Revere grounds out, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:3 S:2 O:2
Trevor Plouffe flies out to left fielder Delmon Young.

B:2 S:1 O:2
Joe Mauer singles on a line drive to left fielder Delmon Young.

B:2 S:2 O:3
Justin Morneau grounds out, second baseman Ramon Santiago to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

DET - Bot 3rd
B:2 S:2 O:1
Ramon Santiago grounds out to first baseman Justin Morneau.

B:0 S:0 O:1
Austin Jackson singles on a bunt ground ball to third baseman Danny Valencia.

B:0 S:1 O:1
Brennan Boesch doubles (25) on a line drive to right fielder Jason Kubel. Austin Jackson to 3rd.

B:0 S:1 O:2
Delmon Young reaches on a fielder's choice out, third baseman Danny Valencia to catcher Drew Butera. Austin Jackson out at home.

With Miguel Cabrera batting, wild pitch by Nick Blackburn, Brennan Boesch to 3rd. Delmon Young to 2nd.

B:3 S:2 O:2
Miguel Cabrera singles on a ground ball to left fielder Rene Tosoni. Brennan Boesch scores. Delmon Young scores.
2 - 0

B:1 S:2 O:3
Victor Martinez grounds out, shortstop Tsuyoshi Nishioka to first baseman Justin Morneau.

2 - 0 AFTER 3 INNINGS

MIN - Top 4th
B:0 S:1 O:1
Jason Kubel grounds out, pitcher Justin Verlander to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Danny Valencia flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:2 S:2 O:3
Rene Tosoni pops out to third baseman Don Kelly.

DET - Bot 4th
B:2 S:2 O:0
Alex Avila singles on a ground ball to right fielder Jason Kubel.

With Jhonny Peralta batting, Alex Avila caught stealing 2nd base, catcher Drew Butera to second baseman Trevor Plouffe.

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

B:2 S:0 O:2
Don Kelly singles on a ground ball to second baseman Trevor Plouffe.

B:2 S:2 O:3
Ramon Santiago grounds out, shortstop Tsuyoshi Nishioka to first baseman Justin Morneau.

2 - 0 AFTER 4 INNINGS

MIN - Top 5th
B:0 S:3 O:1
Tsuyoshi Nishioka out swinging.

B:0 S:1 O:2
Drew Butera lines out to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:1 S:1 O:3
Ben Revere flies out to left fielder Delmon Young.

DET - Bot 5th
B:3 S:2 O:0
Austin Jackson singles on a ground ball to left fielder Rene Tosoni.

B:0 S:1 O:1
Brennan Boesch grounds into a force out, second baseman Trevor Plouffe to shortstop Tsuyoshi Nishioka. Austin Jackson out at 2nd. Brennan Boesch to 1st.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Delmon Young flies out to center fielder Ben Revere.
0 2
B:4 S:2 O:2
Miguel Cabrera walks. Brennan Boesch to 2nd.

B:2 S:1 O:2
Victor Martinez singles on a line drive to right fielder Jason Kubel. Brennan Boesch scores. Miguel Cabrera to 3rd.
3 - 0

B:0 S:0 O:2
Alex Avila singles on a line drive to right fielder Jason Kubel. Miguel Cabrera scores. Victor Martinez to 2nd.
4 - 0

Coaching visit to mound.

B:0 S:1 O:2
Jhonny Peralta singles on a line drive to left fielder Rene Tosoni. Victor Martinez scores. Alex Avila to 3rd. Jhonny Peralta to 2nd on the throw.
5 - 0

Coaching visit to mound.

Pitcher Change: Phil Dumatrait replaces Nick Blackburn.

B:0 S:0 O:3
Don Kelly grounds out, shortstop Tsuyoshi Nishioka to first baseman Justin Morneau.

5 - 0 AFTER 5 INNINGS

MIN - Top 6th
B:2 S:1 O:1
Trevor Plouffe flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.

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

B:2 S:3 O:2
Justin Morneau called out on .

B:0 S:0 O:3
Jason Kubel grounds out, third baseman Don Kelly to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

DET - Bot 6th
B:2 S:0 O:0
Ramon Santiago homers (3) on a fly ball to left field.
6 - 0

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

B:0 S:0 O:1
Brennan Boesch grounds into a force out, second baseman Trevor Plouffe to shortstop Tsuyoshi Nishioka. Austin Jackson out at 2nd. Brennan Boesch to 1st.

Coaching visit to mound.

Pitcher Change: Anthony Swarzak replaces Phil Dumatrait.

B:3 S:2 O:2
Delmon Young singles on a ground ball to center fielder Ben Revere. Brennan Boesch to 3rd. Delmon Young out at 2nd, center fielder Ben Revere to second baseman Trevor Plouffe.

B:1 S:2 O:3
Miguel Cabrera singles on a ground ball to right fielder Jason Kubel. Brennan Boesch scores. Miguel Cabrera out at 2nd, right fielder Jason Kubel to shortstop Tsuyoshi Nishioka.

7 - 0 AFTER 6 INNINGS

MIN - Top 7th
B:1 S:3 O:1
Danny Valencia called out on .

B:1 S:3 O:2
Rene Tosoni called out on .

B:0 S:1 O:3
Tsuyoshi Nishioka pops out to third baseman Don Kelly in foul territory.

DET - Bot 7th
B:0 S:0 O:1
Victor Martinez flies out to center fielder Ben Revere.

B:4 S:0 O:1
Alex Avila walks.

B:0 S:3 O:2
Jhonny Peralta called out on .

B:3 S:2 O:3
Don Kelly flies out to center fielder Ben Revere.

7 - 0 AFTER 7 INNINGS

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

B:1 S:1 O:1
Ben Revere singles on a ground ball to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:0 S:1 O:1
Trevor Plouffe singles on a line drive to center fielder Austin Jackson. Ben Revere to 2nd.

Coaching visit to mound.

B:0 S:3 O:2
Joe Mauer out swinging.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Justin Morneau singles on a line drive to right fielder Brennan Boesch. Ben Revere scores. Trevor Plouffe to 3rd.
7 - 1

Coaching visit to mound.

Pitcher Change: Phil Coke replaces Justin Verlander.

B:0 S:0 O:3
Jason Kubel flies out to left fielder Delmon Young.

DET - Bot 8th
Pitcher Change: Jose Mijares replaces Anthony Swarzak.

B:1 S:0 O:0
Ramon Santiago doubles (7) on a fly ball to center fielder Ben Revere.

B:4 S:1 O:0
Austin Jackson walks.

B:0 S:2 O:2
Brennan Boesch grounds into double play, shortstop Tsuyoshi Nishioka to first baseman Justin Morneau. Ramon Santiago to 3rd. Austin Jackson out at 2nd.

B:0 S:0 O:3
Delmon Young flies out to left fielder Rene Tosoni.

7 - 1 AFTER 8 INNINGS

MIN - Top 9th
Pitcher Change: Joaquin Benoit replaces Phil Coke.

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

B:4 S:0 O:1
Rene Tosoni walks.

B:0 S:2 O:2
Tsuyoshi Nishioka grounds out, third baseman Don Kelly to second baseman Ramon Santiago. Rene Tosoni out at 2nd. Tsuyoshi Nishioka to 1st.
Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Jim Thome replaces Drew Butera.

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