GDT: 9/7/08 - DET (68-74) AT MINN (78-64) - 2:10 p.m. ET

MINNEAPOLIS -- Detroit manager Jim Leyland has talked recently about an interest in moving leadoff hitter Curtis Granderson down in the order to maximize the center fielder's run-producing ability. On Saturday, Granderson demonstrated why in the Tigers' 6-4 victory.

With Detroit trailing, 4-2, in the top of the eighth inning and a runner on first, Granderson tied the game by pulling a Dennys Reyes hanging slider over the right-field baggie.

Leyland has interest in moving Granderson to the middle of the lineup if the Tigers can acquire a leadoff hitter in the future. The skipper indicated on Saturday that this line of thinking was no insult to Granderson.

"I love Granderson at leadoff," Leyland said. "All I was making a point of was that I think he has graduated to the point where he can hit down in the lineup. I like him to lead off a lot. But I also like RBI guys, those are my favorites."

Granderson is batting .305 with 18 home runs and 56 RBIs.

"I don't see it happening any time soon, especially with the guys we have ... power guys, that's the reason they are down in the lineup," Granderson said. "I enjoy being at the top of the lineup."

Still, Granderson said he had no problem moving, that he has no preference to where he bats.

Granderson has scored 51 runs in 48 games since the All-Star break, the most in the American League. He has scored at least 100 runs in back-to-back seasons, the first Tiger to do so since Tony Phillips accomplished the feat in 1992-93.

Leyland was asked prior to Saturday's game if he considers Granderson a "true" leadoff hitter.

"He's getting closer, because he's walking a little more," Leyland said. "But I don't really care about that, I don't want him to go up there worrying about walking. It's great if you can recognize pitches and walk a little bit, but I don't want him to go up there thinking he has to walk and take pitches at 3-2 every at-bat. I don't buy that."


Pitching matchup

DET: RHP Chris Lambert (0-1, 6.75 ERA)
Lambert will get at least one more turn through the Tigers' rotation after he was recalled from Triple-A Toledo for his second Major League start Tuesday against the Angels. He left with three runs allowed on six hits over four innings in a no-decision, but didn't get much help from his defense with a fly ball that fell in between three fielders as part of a two-run opening inning. Sunday will be the first outing on the road for the former first-round pick in the 2004 First-Year Player Draft.

MIN: LHP Glen Perkins (12-3, 4.08 ERA)
Facing the Blue Jays in his last start, Perkins was clearly not at his best. Though he received a no-decision in the Twins' loss, the left-hander allowed four runs on 10 hits over just five innings. He walked one, struck out one and surrendered two home runs. In three starts against the Tigers this year, Perkins is 2-0 with a 2.18 ERA.


Tidbits

Saturday's 6-4 win improved Detroit's record at the Metrodome in 2008 to only 2-6. But the Tigers' manager is one year removed from taming the Twins in their home. "Last year, we were 8-1 in the Metrodome," Leyland said. "We had a [heck] of a run last year in the Metrodome; an unbelievable run, really. But it is a difficult place." ... The Tigers "improved" to 12-59 when they are outhit. ... Magglio Ordonez hit his second triple of the season in the seventh inning. ... The Metrodome's attendance was 42,606.

On the Internet

MLB.TV
Gameday Audio
• Gameday
• Official game notes

On television
• FSND

On radio
• 97.1FM/1270AM

Up next

• Mon., Sept 8: Tigers (RHP Zach Miner (8-4, 3.72 ERA)) vs. Athletics (LHP Gio Gonzalez (1-3, 7.18 ERA)), 7:05 p.m. ET

• Tue., Sept 9: Tigers (LHP Nate Robertson (7-10, 6.30 ERA)) vs. Athletics (LHP Dana Eveland (8-8, 4.28 ERA)), 7:05 p.m. ET

• Wed., Sept 10: Tigers (RHP Armando Galarraga (12-5, 3.39 ERA)) vs. Athletics (RHP Sean Gallagher (4-6, 5.23 ERA)), 1:05 p.m. ET

STARTING LINEUPS:

Detroit AVG
:curtis: Granderson, CF .305
:placido: Polanco, 2B .310
Ordonez, RF .318
Cabrera, 1B .290
:sheff: Sheffield, DH .223
:thames: Thames, LF .235
:edgar: Renteria, SS .269
:hessman: Hessman, 3B .200
:dusty: Ryan, C .000

Minnesota AVG
Span, RF .298
Casilla, 2B .294
Mauer, C .323
Morneau, 1B .310
Kubel, DH .275
Young, LF .288
Buscher, 3B .297
Punto, SS .282
Gomez, CF .252

70 Degrees; dome

LETS GO LAMBERT!!!!

is the Twins' new stadium indoor/outdoor?

Indoor? I think?

Astro turf sucketh the big one...as Span found out last night trying to catch one of Magglio's hits!

• Tue., Sept 9: Tigers (LHP Nate Robertson (7-10, 6.30 ERA)) vs. Athletics (LHP Dana Eveland (8-8, 4.28 ERA)), 7:05 p.m. ET


Why is he starting again!?!?!?!

gdennis59 wrote:

• Tue., Sept 9: Tigers (LHP Nate Robertson (7-10, 6.30 ERA)) vs. Athletics (LHP Dana Eveland (8-8, 4.28 ERA)), 7:05 p.m. ET


Why is he starting again!?!?!?!

They're hoping he can set a record for most HR allowed in a game this time.

catbox_9 wrote:

gdennis59 wrote:

• Tue., Sept 9: Tigers (LHP Nate Robertson (7-10, 6.30 ERA)) vs. Athletics (LHP Dana Eveland (8-8, 4.28 ERA)), 7:05 p.m. ET


Why is he starting again!?!?!?!

They're hoping he can set a record for most HR allowed in a game this time.

What is the record?

gdennis59 wrote:

• Tue., Sept 9: Tigers (LHP Nate Robertson (7-10, 6.30 ERA)) vs. Athletics (LHP Dana Eveland (8-8, 4.28 ERA)), 7:05 p.m. ET


Why is he starting again!?!?!?!

We literally have no one left. Kenny is probably out for the season with his hip, and I don't think they trust Clay enough to start.

Well after his bullpen stuff, I think he might be ready to give us 4 or 5 good innings of ball.

laprimamirala wrote:

is the Twins' new stadium indoor/outdoor?

Outdoors

Click here for facts on new stadium.

Quote :

Will there be a roof?

The Twins-Hennepin County ballpark bill, passed by the 2006 legislature, calls for the construction of an open-air facility.

Will the grass be real?
Yes, the playing field in the new ballpark will be natural grass.

For pics see:
http://minnesota.twins.mlb.com/min/photogallery/year_2007/month_04/day_11/cf1892986.html

and:
http://mlb.mlb.com/min/photogallery/year_2007/month_10/day_30/cf2288893.html

laprimamirala wrote:

gdennis59 wrote:

• Tue., Sept 9: Tigers (LHP Nate Robertson (7-10, 6.30 ERA)) vs. Athletics (LHP Dana Eveland (8-8, 4.28 ERA)), 7:05 p.m. ET


Why is he starting again!?!?!?!

We literally have no one left. Kenny is probably out for the season with his hip, and I don't think they trust Clay enough to start.

Here is Leyland's schedule for pitchers:
Chris Lambert - Sun - 9/7 - at MINN

Zach Miner - Mon - 9/8 - vs OAK
Nate Robertson - Tue - 9/9 - vs OAK
Armando Galarraga - Wed - 9/10 - vs OAK

Thurs - 9/11 - OFF

Justin Verlander - Fri - 9/12 - vs CHI
Kenny Rogers - Sat - 9/13 - vs CHI <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
Zach Miner - Sun - 9/14 - vs CHI

I would rather Glover maybe start and throw in some reliever early.

Leyland is also thinking of having Willis and Garcia pitch in one game with Willis pitching so many innings and then Garcia pitch the rest of the game.

:curtis:

:placido: grounds out

Come on Tigers!!!!

Win it!!!

singles

Woo Maggs!
Keep that avg up!!!

singles

:sheff: flies out - 3 outs

I think I need a Hessman jersey...

Go Tigers!

We need to get rid of Sheff. I say Inge at 3rd Hess DH, and Ryan catching next year!

Span -

Casilla - pops out

Mauer - grounds out

end of 1

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gdennis59 wrote:

We need to get rid of Sheff. I say Inge at 3rd Hess DH, and Ryan catching next year!

That would require giving Inge 500 AB then. And he's currently hitting .196 since April 18th (80 games).