GDT: 4/15/08 - Minnesota (6-7) @ Detroit (3-10) - 7:05 p.m.

DETROIT -- The Tigers have a chance at a pair of firsts in their game on Tuesday night against the Twins at Comerica Park.

First, after Monday's 11-9 come-from-behind victory, they can put together their first winning streak. In addition, with it being just a two-game set, the Tigers can earn their first series sweep of this season.

And if the Tigers' offense can give an encore performance to Monday's effort, both should be more probable than possible.

Tigers hitters finally lived up to the preseason hype. They scored six runs on six hits -- four for extra bases -- and batted around in an inning for the first time this season. All this against a Minnesota pitching staff that is ranked sixth in the American League in ERA.

"I've always said hitting is contagious," manager Jim Leyland said. "Everybody gets going. ... We broke loose, hit some balls hard, hit them all over the place."

After the game, reporters asked Leyland if such a win could change a season, especially for a team struggling as badly as Detroit has been these first few weeks. The skipper said that it was a nice win, but no, it couldn't fully right the ship.

"Whoever pitches the best that day wins," he said. "If we pitch better, we'll keep winning."

Leyland's theory will be tested right away, as the Twins send right-hander Scott Baker and his 1.80 lifetime ERA at Comerica Park to the hill. The Tigers counter with left-hander Nate Robertson, who has struggled in two starts.

But with the suddenly red-hot Tigers lumber leading the way, a much-needed series sweep could be close behind.



Pitching matchup

DET: LHP Nate Robertson (0-1, 7.84 ERA)
Robertson looked sharp through three innings in his last start, against the Red Sox, consistently painting the inside corner with his fastball and slider, but he started leaving balls over the plate in the fourth. He gave up all four of his earned runs in that inning and took the loss. Robertson has started 18 career games against the Twins, going 7-8 with a solid 3.73 ERA. He looks to become just the second Tigers starter to earn a win this season.


MIN: RHP Scott Baker (2-0, 4.63 ERA)
Baker pitched five innings and allowed three runs -- all on solo home runs -- in his last start, against the American League Central-leading White Sox. This after allowing three runs over 6 2/3 innings in his first start this season against the Royals. In his fourth Major League season, Baker is 1-1 with a 1.80 ERA in two starts at Comerica Park.


Tidbits
Not a team built to burn up the basepaths, the Tigers have gone 8-for-8 in stolen-base attempts this season. They have been successful in their last 18 attempts, dating back to last September. ...Magglio Ordonez has a .429 career batting average (9-for-21) against Baker, with two doubles and a home run. ... Outfielder Clete Thomas' .344 average ranks second among American League rookies.


Tickets

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

On television
• FSN+

On radio
• 97.1 FM/WXYT 1270


Up next

• Wednesday: Tigers (Armando Galarraga, 0-0, -.--) at Indians (C.C. Sabathia, 0-2, 11.57), 7:05 p.m. ET

• Thursday: Tigers (Justin Verlander, 0-2, 6.52 ERA) at Indians (Fausto Carmona, 1-1, 2.20 ERA), 7:05 p.m. ET

• Friday: Tigers (Kenny Rogers, 0-3, 6.75) at Blue Jays (A.J. Burnett, 1-0, 6.61), 7:07 p.m. ET

Tonight's Starting Lineup:

Minnesota AVG
Gomez, CF .246
Harris, 2B .351
Mauer, C .238
Morneau, 1B .222
Young, LF .280
Kubel, RF .286
Monroe, DH .133
Lamb, 3B .184
Tolbert, SS .435



Detroit AVG

Thomas, CF .344

:placido: Polanco, 2B .159

:sheff: Sheffield, DH .212

Ordonez, RF .275

Cabrera, 3B .205

Guillen, 1B .359

:edgar: Renteria, SS .264

:pudge: Rodriguez, C .222

:thames: Thames, LF .167

Tigers do it again on Tuesday

Go out on the field and play the 1st like the 8th yesterday!

I would feel like

I'll be there!!

Yes I am Detroit bound today and Saturday (Saturday will be Def Leppard, Styx and REO)
Too bad I have to actually work in between!

I am the only one who voted "Yes"??
C'mon guys!!

Prediction: Robertson will have a decent 1-3 innings (something like 3 hits, 1 run or fewer) then fall apart in the 4th and 5th innings (something like 8 hits, 3-4 runs).

Happens far too many times.

swiss_tiger wrote:

I am the only one who voted "Yes"??
C'mon guys!!

No, I am gonna trust that they got on fire last night and it will keep going!

bobrob2004 wrote:

Prediction: Robertson will have a decent 1-3 innings (something like 3 hits, 1 run or fewer) then fall apart in the 4th and 5th innings (something like 8 hits, 3-4 runs).

Happens far too many times.

he'd better have his backup staff at the ready!!!

GoGetEmTigers wrote:

swiss_tiger wrote:

I am the only one who voted "Yes"??
C'mon guys!!

No, I am gonna trust that they got on fire last night and it will keep going!

Thanks GoGetEm! Me too, let us use this win and surf on its wave to another one!

I voted yes gogetem and I will be at tonights game too. Yesterday's game was awesome! My friend and I got to sit to the left of homeplate for about 4 innings. It was fantastic!

LETS GO TIGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I believe in them! I'm just afraid of jinx'en....I am going to be able to get some good pictures too!
6th row behind the dugout.

I was going to take a Bring Back Sean Casey sign, but my fiance did not think that would be a good idea.

rickimouse wrote:

I was going to take a Bring Back Sean Casey sign, but my fiance did not think that would be a good idea.

maybe a bunch of us thinkin' it will help...and I know we're out there!

rickimouse wrote:

I was going to take a Bring Back Sean Casey sign, but my fiance did not think that would be a good idea.

congrats on the fiance part!

Thanks!
We get along well since we like all the same teams. (Actually I don't think he would have asked me out otherwise)
I could never marry an Indians fan

rickimouse wrote:

Thanks!
We get along well since we like all the same teams. (Actually I don't think he would have asked me out otherwise)
I could never marry an Indians fan

Smart lady!!! You tell em rickimouse!

kinda like being the same-or close-religion! It really helps!

rickimouse wrote:

Thanks!
We get along well since we like all the same teams. (Actually I don't think he would have asked me out otherwise)
I could never marry an Indians fan

I would be glad to find a girl that's interested in baseball at all here in Switzerland!

but I think there is a time difference!

:haha:

bobrob2004 wrote:

Prediction: Robertson will have a decent 1-3 innings (something like 3 hits, 1 run or fewer) then fall apart in the 4th and 5th innings (something like 8 hits, 3-4 runs).

Happens far too many times.

That's my prediction!

laprimamirala wrote:

but I think there is a time difference!

:lol: not so sure about that.

bobrob2004 wrote:

Prediction: Robertson will have a decent 1-3 innings (something like 3 hits, 1 run or fewer) then fall apart in the 4th and 5th innings (something like 8 hits, 3-4 runs).

Happens far too many times.

It should be routine enough now that it should be planned for!

Hey guys! Lets hope for a tigers win today!!