GDT: 9/26/08 - DET (72-86) VS TB (96-63) - 7:05 p.m. ET

DETROIT -- Jim Leyland knows how the last couple weeks have looked in the Tigers' struggle down the standings. He understands how fans feel about it. But as the Tigers head into the final weekend of their disappointing season, he sees his club giving energy.

With the playoffs long since out of reach, however, he's trying to be realistic.

"These guys are trying," Leyland said. "But for somebody to say that it's the exact same [intensity] as if you're fighting for something or if you're having a pretty good season, it's not the same. That's nature. Are you trying to do your job as best you can? Yes. Is your heart in it the exact same way? No, it's not. That's the way it is.

"We're trying. I don't see anybody not trying. Nobody here has quit. But is the mental cycle the same? No, it's not. I'm sorry. If somebody wants to look at that as being negative, they can look at it however they want. But it's not being negative. It's being realistic."

The Tigers had no shortage of energy when they jumped on the Rays early in Thursday afternoon's series opener. The resulting 7-5 win likely won't prevent the Rays from clinching the American League East title, but it at least delayed the coronation. Depending on what happens later with the Red Sox, they could end up with another shot Friday.

It isn't the postseason implication the Tigers hoped to have at this point in the year, but they're trying to make the most of it.

"If you're not going to make it, you've got to play spoiler," catcher Dusty Ryan said. "It's nice to play spoiler as long as we can. There was talk in the clubhouse about how we don't want people celebrating on our field, so we're going to do what we can."

Ryan hit one of five Tigers home runs in the series opener. He's expected back behind the plate as the series continues Friday night. Even if the spoiler role is gone, however, the Tigers will still have their influence on at least one race. Miguel Cabrera remains tied with Carlos Quentin for the AL home run lead at 36, with Alex Rodriguez one back. Magglio Ordonez is just about out of contention in the AL batting race, nine points behind leader Joe Mauer heading into Thursday night.

Besides that, of course, is the simple desire to finish strong. It isn't the same as what the Tigers hoped to have on the line this weekend. But don't tell Leyland they're not trying with three games left.

"I'm going to try to win every one of them," Leyland said. "That's what we do. This [season] hasn't just been disappointing. It's been unbelievably disappointing. But you know what, you sit around and pout about it, feel sorry for yourself and all that, that's all bull. ...

"I'm embarrassed, but it's not because of a lack of effort. I haven't seen one guy dog it. I'll argue that until the cows come home. I haven't seen one guy that hasn't given an effort."


Pitching matchup

DET: RHP Justin Verlander (10-17, 4.87 ERA)
Verlander said after his last start that he had some of the best stuff he has had at this late stage of a season. The results haven't caught up. Saturday's loss at Cleveland, where he gave up four runs on five hits and four walks in four innings, was his fourth straight defeat since his last victory Aug. 22 at Kansas City. He moved into the Major League lead in losses by himself with the highest single-season total by a Tigers pitcher since the infamous 43-119 season of 2003. Much of those struggles, however, have been against AL Central teams, and he has a chance to close out on a high note in his first start against the Rays since Aug. 6, 2006.

TB: RHP Andy Sonnanstine (13-8, 4.27 ERA)
Sonnanstine is coming off Sunday afternoon's loss in which the right-hander allowed four runs (two earned) in 6 2/3 innings. The 4-1 loss to Minnesota came just a night removed from the Rays' playoff-clinching win and Sonnanstine was the hard-luck pitcher in the flat game. The right-hander fanned four and walked two in the performance, but remains winless since Aug. 18. He will be facing Detroit for the second time this season, winning Aug. 2, when he tossed six innings of two-run baseball.

Tidbits

Ramon Santiago is expected to get another start at shortstop on Friday in place of Edgar Renteria, who missed Thursday's game with a strained left pectoral muscle. Renteria was examined by the team's medical staff after complaining of chest pains, but there was nothing serious. ... Placido Polanco is expected to be back in the lineup after he was rested on Thursday with back soreness. ... The Tigers will have their annual team photo taken on Friday. Owner Mike Ilitch is expected to appear at Comerica Park to take part in the photo.

On the Internet

MLB.TV
Gameday Audio
• Gameday
• Official game notes

On television
• FSN-HD


On radio
• 97.1FM/1270AM

Up next

• Saturday: Tigers (LHP Dontrelle Willis, (0-2, 10.61 ERA)) vs. Rays (RHP Matt Garza, (11-9, 3.66 ERA)), 7:05 p.m. ET

• Sunday: Tigers (RHP Zach Miner, (8-5, 4.26 ERA)) vs. Rays (RHP James Shields, (14-8, 3.57 ERA)), 1:05 p.m. ET

STARTING LINEUPS:

Tampa Bay
Iwamura, 2B
Upton, CF
Pena, 1B
Longoria, 3B
Floyd, DH
Navarro, C
Gross, RF
Hinske, LF
Bartlett, SS

Detroit
:curtis: Granderson, CF
:placido: Polanco, 2B
Ordonez, RF
Cabrera, 1B
:sheff: Sheffield, DH
:thames: Thames, LF
Larish, 3B
:dane: Sardinha, C
Santiago, SS

dontcha just love bein' the SPOILER?

I have to work a little tonight but will keep checking in.

Iwamura - flies out

Upton - walk

stolen base for Upton

Pena -

Longoria -

0-0

cmon guys! spoil 'em before they chomp on us!

:curtis: walked

:placido: walk

Sonnanstine does not walk people

2 rbi double

:placido: injured sliding into home.

2-0

Maggs now has 100 rbi's!

gidp - 2 outs

Maggs hit in 99 and 100....2-0 Tigers
Polly twisted his ankle sliding into home...injured

poor guy! I thought it was his back!

HR SHEFF!!!!

#498!!!!

:sheff: home run # 498

3-0

:thames:

after 1 inning

3-0

Wonder who will step up for Polly

replaces :placido: at 2nd due to injury.

O/T: Cheryl Tiegs CANNOT be 61 years old....

GO RYAN!!

Floyd - ground out

Navarro - flies out

Gross - pops out
1-2-3 -- 7 pitch inning!

Maybe Justin CAN do it....

singles

laprimamirala wrote:

Maybe Justin CAN do it....

hope so!