GDT: 9/19/09 - DET (78-69) AT MIN (75-72) - 4:10 p.m. ET

MINNEAPOLIS -- Like virtually all his Tigers teammates, Justin Verlander isn't going to miss the Metrodome when the Twins move across downtown to Target Field next year. He'd like it even more if he can ensure there's no October baseball in the dome's future.

As the Tigers prepared for Friday's series opener against the Twins, Verlander and fellow Tigers pitcher Jeremy Bonderman were at a table in the cramped visiting clubhouse trading bad Metrodome memories, from Verlander's 13-strikeout loss earlier this year to the one-out shutout bid Jeremy Bonderman took into the eighth inning here in 2006 before the Twins put up a six-run eighth with help from a couple high choppers.

"I'm not going to miss this place in the least," Verlander said.

He'd like to send out his last start at the Metrodome with a masterful performance and a desperately needed Tigers victory. The challenge, besides Twins hitters, is that as much as the Tigers are tired of the Metrodome, they've had it with Carl Pavano and his performances against them. He's pitching opposite Verlander Saturday with a chance to beat Detroit for the fifth time in as many outings this year.

Minnesota play-by-play man Dick Bremer and Detroit analyst Rod Allen team up for the call on the FOX Saturday Game of the Week broadcast as the Tigers try to break both the Metrodome hex and whatever spell Pavano has on them. When the Twins acquired Pavano from Cleveland, the Tigers had to wonder if he would play a role in their fate down the stretch. They no longer have to wonder.

Take away Pavano, and this would seem like the best matchup of the series for the Tigers. But so far this season, they haven't been able to take him out as a factor in the game.

"Pavano has definitely has had some success off of us," said catcher Gerald Laird, who's expected to catch Verlander on Saturday, "but this is our fifth time facing him, so maybe we can get him. We're all familiar with what he's going to do with us."

Likewise, the Twins don't have to wonder a whole lot what Verlander will try to do. The difference is that with Verlander's power arsenal, knowing his game doesn't make much of a difference.

Unlike many of his teammates, at least Verlander doesn't have a losing record in the Metrodome, going 1-1 with a 3.81 ERA in four starts. That doesn't mean he hasn't had his frustrations here.

Verlander's season-high strikeout game this year came at the Metrodome, where he fanned 13 Twins over 6 1/3 innings of two-run ball May 14. The downfall was that Minnesota pounced on Detroit's bullpen once Verlander left in the seventh, yet its six-run seventh inning came with only one extra-base hit.

No, as Verlander said, he won't miss the artificial-turf choppers, or the popups that are so hard to track against the the backdrop of the Metrodome roof, or the fast infield along which so many ground-ball singles scoot. But he'd love to give his regards on his way out.

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Pitching matchup

DET: RHP Justin Verlander (16-8, 3.34 ERA)
Verlander is winless in his past two starts after being among the AL wins leaders into September, but it was a five-run sixth inning that cost him a chance at a victory Monday against the Blue Jays. He had been dominant up to that point, and still racked up nine strikeouts with no walks over seven innings, but paid for some secondary pitches that Toronto hitters tagged. Now the Tigers turn to their staff ace for a critical start against the second-place Twins, the one division opponent Verlander hasn't beaten this year. He's 1-4 in four starts against Minnesota since 2007. He gave up five runs over six innings in a matchup last month at Comerica Park.


MIN: RHP Carl Pavano (12-11, 4.91 ERA)
Coming off a win against Toronto, Pavano allowed three runs on six hits through six innings of work against his former Monday in a no-decision versus the Indians. On the hook for the loss late in the game, Pavano was bailed out by a six-run inning from the Twins offense. He avoided falling to 0-2 against Cleveland on the season. Pavano has been a Tiger killer during his career, going 4-0 lifetime against Detroit and 1-0 with the Twins.

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Tidbits

... Look for Carlos Guillen to get a start in left field Saturday, even though he's 0-for-9 for his career against Pavano. The recent string of left-handed starting pitchers to face the Tigers have left Guillen out of the lineup frequently over the past week and a half, including Friday against Brian Duensing.
... Curtis Granderson is 5-for-14 off Pavano this year, but also has six strikeouts. His .558 career slugging percentage at the Metrodome ranked fifth among active players entering Friday.
... Jason Kubel is 3-for-6 with two doubles off Verlander this year. Denard Span is 4-for-6 against him.
... The Tigers have committed one error in their last 16 games.

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Up next (Probable Pitchers)

• Sunday: Tigers (Nate Robertson, 1-2, 5.35 ERA) at Twins (Scott Baker, 13-8, 4.35 ERA), 2:10 p.m. ET
• Monday: Off-day
• Tuesday: Tigers (Edwin Jackson, 12-7, 3.37 ERA) at Indians (Justin Masterson, 4-8, 4.49 ERA), 7:05 p.m. ET

STARTING LINEUPS:

TIGERS

1. Granderson, CF
   
2. Polanco, 2B
   
3. Guillen, LF
   
4. Cabrera, 1B
   
5. Huff, DH
   
6. Ordonez, RF
   
7. Inge, 3B
   
8. Laird, C
   
9. Everett, SS
   

P: Justin Verlander

TWINS

1. Denard Span, CF
   
2. Orlando Cabrera, SS
   
3. Joe Mauer, C (his 9-game hitting streak vs. DET ended last night)
   
4. Jason Kubel, RF
   
5. Michael Cuddyer, 1B
   
6. Delmon Young, LF
   
7. Jose Morales, DH
   
8. Brian Buscher, 3B
   
9. Nick Punto, 2B
   

P: Carl Pavano

I agree, gogetem - tigers hafta roar!! So they're the Faux game of the week. Hate the commentators, love the game (heehee).

You gotta be kidding me-he finally gets to play and I am leaving for work-I must not be living right!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Go Carlos!

Inning 1
Top Half

B:0 S:3 O:1 -
Curtis Granderson called out on .

B:1 S:1 O:1 -
Placido Polanco singles on a line drive to center fielder Denard Span.

B:1 S:2 O:1 -
With Carlos Guillen batting, wild pitch by Carl Pavano, Placido Polanco to 2nd.

B:1 S:3 O:2 -
Carlos Guillen swinging.

B:0 S:2 O:2 -
Miguel Cabrera singles on a pop up to shortstop Orlando Cabrera. Placido Polanco scores.
DET 1, MIN 0



B:0 S:0 O:3 -
Aubrey Huff pops out to shortstop Orlando Cabrera.

DET 1, MIN 0 after .5 inning

Bottom Half

B:1 S:2 O:1 -
Denard Span grounds out to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:3 S:2 O:2 -
Orlando Cabrera pops out to second baseman Placido Polanco.

B:1 S:1 O:2 -
Joe Mauer homers (28) on a fly ball to right field.
DET 1, MIN 1



B:3 S:2 O:3 -
Jason Kubel lines out to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

DET 1, MIN 1 after 1 inning

Inning 2

Top Half


B:2 S:2 O:1 -
Magglio Ordonez grounds out, third baseman Brian Buscher to first baseman Michael Cuddyer.

B:0 S:1 O:1 -
Brandon Inge hit by pitch.

B:1 S:0 O:1 -
Gerald Laird singles on a fly ball to right fielder Jason Kubel. Brandon Inge to 2nd.

B:1 S:1 O:2 - Adam Everett grounds out, second baseman
Nick Punto to first baseman Michael Cuddyer. Brandon Inge to 3rd.
Gerald Laird to 2nd.


B:0 S:0 O:3 -
Curtis Granderson flies out to center fielder Denard Span.

DET 1, MIN 1 after 1.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:2 S:1 O:1 -
Michael Cuddyer flies out to center fielder Curtis Granderson.

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Delmon Young singles on a ground ball to center fielder Curtis Granderson.

B:4 S:1 O:1 -
Jose Morales walks. Delmon Young to 2nd.

B:0 S:3 O:2 -
Brian Buscher swinging.

B:2 S:2 O:3 -
Nick Punto grounds into a force out, first baseman Miguel Cabrera to shortstop Adam Everett. Jose Morales out at 2nd.

DET 1, MIN 1 after 2 innings

Inning 3
Top Half

B:3 S:2 O:0 -
Placido Polanco singles on a line drive to right fielder Jason Kubel.

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Carlos Guillen pops out to third baseman Brian Buscher.

B:0 S:1 O:1 -
Miguel Cabrera singles on a line drive to right fielder Jason Kubel. Placido Polanco to 2nd.

B:1 S:1 O:1 -
Aubrey Huff singles on a ground ball to left fielder Delmon Young. Placido Polanco scores. Miguel Cabrera to 2nd.
DET 2, MIN 1

B:2 S:1 O:2 - Magglio Ordonez grounds into a force
out, pitcher Carl Pavano to shortstop Orlando Cabrera. Miguel Cabrera
to 3rd. Aubrey Huff out at 2nd. Magglio Ordonez to 1st.

B:2 S:0 O:3 -
Brandon Inge flies out to center fielder Denard Span.

DET 2, MIN 1 after 2.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:1 S:1 O:0 -
Denard Span singles on a line drive to left fielder Carlos Guillen.

B:0 S:1 O:1 -
With Orlando Cabrera batting, Denard Span caught stealing 2nd base, catcher Gerald Laird to second baseman Placido Polanco.

B:2 S:3 O:2 -
Orlando Cabrera swinging.

B:1 S:3 O:3 -
Joe Mauer swinging.

DET 2, MIN 1 after 3 innings

Inning 4
Top Half

B:0 S:2 O:1 -
Gerald Laird flies out to right fielder Jason Kubel.

B:0 S:1 O:2 -
Adam Everett grounds out, pitcher Carl Pavano to third baseman Brian Buscher to first baseman Michael Cuddyer.

B:0 S:1 O:2 -
Injury Delay.

B:0 S:1 O:2 -
Curtis Granderson singles on a line drive to left fielder Delmon Young.

B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Injury Delay. (ball deflected from mitt and hit Grandy in the neck, he is ok)


B:0 S:1 O:2 -
Placido Polanco singles on a ground ball to center fielder Denard Span. Curtis Granderson to 3rd.


B:1 S:3 O:3 -
Carlos Guillen called out on .

DET 2, MIN 1 after 3.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:1 S:2 O:1 -
Jason Kubel grounds out, second baseman Placido Polanco to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Michael Cuddyer flies out to right fielder Magglio Ordonez.

B:2 S:3 O:3 -
Delmon Young swinging.

DET 2, MIN 1 after 4 innings

Inning 5
Top Half

B:2 S:2 O:0 -
Miguel Cabrera singles on a pop up to right fielder Jason Kubel, deflected by second baseman Nick Punto.

B:2 S:0 O:1 - Aubrey Huff grounds into a force out,
shortstop Orlando Cabrera to second baseman Nick Punto. Miguel Cabrera
out at 2nd. Aubrey Huff to 1st.

B:0 S:1 O:1 -
Magglio Ordonez singles on a ground ball to left fielder Delmon Young. Aubrey Huff to 2nd.

B:1 S:2 O:1 -
Brandon Inge singles on a fly ball to right fielder Jason Kubel. Aubrey Huff to 3rd. Magglio Ordonez to 2nd.


B:1 S:2 O:1 -
Coaching visit to mound.

B:1 S:0 O:3 - Gerald Laird grounds into double play,
shortstop Orlando Cabrera to second baseman Nick Punto to first baseman
Michael Cuddyer. Brandon Inge out at 2nd.

DET 2, MIN 1 after 4.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:2 S:2 O:0 -
Jose Morales singles on a fly ball to left fielder Carlos Guillen.

B:0 S:3 O:1 -
Brian Buscher swinging.

B:3 S:2 O:2 -
Nick Punto flies out to center fielder Curtis Granderson.

B:0 S:0 O:3 -
Denard Span flies out to center fielder Curtis Granderson.

DET 2, MIN 1 after 5 innings

Inning 6
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Adam Everett pops out to shortstop Orlando Cabrera.

B:2 S:2 O:2 -
Curtis Granderson grounds out, second baseman Nick Punto to first baseman Michael Cuddyer.

B:0 S:1 O:3 -
Placido Polanco grounds out, third baseman Brian Buscher to first baseman Michael Cuddyer.

DET 2, MIN 1 after 5.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:2 S:2 O:0 -
Orlando Cabrera singles on a line drive to right fielder Magglio Ordonez.

B:3 S:2 O:1 -
Joe Mauer grounds out to first baseman Miguel Cabrera. Orlando Cabrera to 2nd.

B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Jason Kubel grounds out, shortstop Adam Everett to first baseman Miguel Cabrera. Orlando Cabrera to 3rd.

B:2 S:2 O:3 -
Michael Cuddyer grounds out, second baseman Placido Polanco to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

DET 2, MIN 1 after 6 innings

Tigers need some safety runs now!

Inning 7
Top Half

B:3 S:2 O:1 -
Carlos Guillen flies out to center fielder Denard Span.

B:2 S:0 O:2 -
Miguel Cabrera flies out to left fielder Delmon Young.

B:2 S:3 O:3 -
Aubrey Huff called out on .

DET 2, MIN 1 after 6.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Defensive Substitution: Don Kelly replaces left fielder Carlos Guillen, batting 3rd, playing left field.

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Delmon Young singles on a ground ball to third baseman Brandon Inge.

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Offensive Substitution: Pinch runner Carlos Gomez replaces Delmon Young.

B:1 S:0 O:1 -
Jose Morales flies out to left fielder Don Kelly.

B:1 S:1 O:2 -
With Brian Buscher batting, Carlos Gomez caught stealing 2nd base, catcher Gerald Laird to shortstop Adam Everett.

B:2 S:1 O:3 -
Brian Buscher grounds out, second baseman Placido Polanco to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

DET 2, MIN 1 after 7 innings

Inning 8
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Defensive switch from center field to left field for Denard Span.

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Carlos Gomez remains in the game as the center fielder.

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Jesse Crain replaces Carl Pavano.

B:3 S:2 O:1 -
Magglio Ordonez grounds out to first baseman Michael Cuddyer.

B:1 S:1 O:2 -
Brandon Inge flies out to right fielder Jason Kubel.

B:0 S:0 O:3 -
Gerald Laird grounds out, second baseman Nick Punto to first baseman Michael Cuddyer.

DET 2, MIN 1 after 7.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Defensive Substitution: Clete Thomas replaces right fielder Magglio Ordonez, batting 6th, playing right field.

B:0 S:3 O:1 -
Nick Punto swinging.

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Denard Span singles on a line drive to left fielder Don Kelly.

B:3 S:2 O:1 -
Orlando Cabrera doubles (32) on a fly ball to left fielder Don Kelly. Denard Span to 3rd.

B:3 S:2 O:1 -
Coaching visit to mound.

B:4 S:0 O:1 -
Justin Verlander intentionally walks Joe Mauer.

B:1 S:1 O:1 - Jason Kubel singles on a soft fly ball
to left fielder Don Kelly. Denard Span scores. Orlando Cabrera scores.
Joe Mauer to 2nd.
MIN 3, DET 2



B:1 S:1 O:1 -
Coaching visit to mound.

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Pitcher Change: Brandon Lyon replaces Justin Verlander.


B:1 S:1 O:1 -
Michael Cuddyer homers (28) on a fly ball to left center field. Joe Mauer scores. Jason Kubel scores.
MIN 6, DET 2




B:1 S:1 O:2 -
Carlos Gomez flies out to right fielder Clete Thomas.


B:0 S:3 O:3 -
Jose Morales swinging, catcher Gerald Laird to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

MIN 6, DET 2 after 8 innings

Inning 9
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Defensive Substitution: Matt Tolbert replaces third baseman Brian Buscher, batting 8th, playing third base.

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Jose Mijares replaces Jesse Crain.

B:2 S:2 O:1 -
Adam Everett flies out to left fielder Denard Span.

B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Curtis Granderson pops out to second baseman Nick Punto in foul territory.

B:3 S:2 O:2 -
Placido Polanco doubles (30) on a fly ball to left fielder Denard Span.

B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Pitcher Change: Matt Guerrier replaces Jose Mijares.

B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Ryan Raburn replaces Don Kelly.

B:1 S:0 O:3 -
Ryan Raburn grounds out, pitcher Matt Guerrier to first baseman Michael Cuddyer.

Toy Tigers lose 2-6

September 19, 2009

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9		R	H	E
Detroit	1	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0		2	12	0
Minnesota	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	5	X		6	10	0

Detroit AB- R-- H- RBI- BB- SO- LOB -AVG- Granderson, CF 5 0 1 0 0 1 2 .250 Polanco, 2B 5 2 4 0 0 0 0 .282 Guillen, C, LF 4 0 0 0 0 2 4 .235 --Kelly, LF 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .241 --a-Raburn, PH 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 .275 Cabrera, M, 1B 4 0 3 1 0 0 0 .333 Huff, A, DH 4 0 1 1 0 1 2 .245 Ordonez, RF 4 0 1 0 0 0 2 .288 --Thomas, C, RF 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .241 Inge, 3B 3 0 1 0 0 0 2 .235 Laird, C 4 0 1 0 0 0 3 .224 Everett, SS 4 0 0 0 0 0 2 .239 Totals 38 2 12 2 0 4 18 a-Grounded out for Kelly in the 9th. BATTING 2B: Polanco (30, Mijares, Jo). TB: Granderson; Polanco 5; Cabrera, M 3; Huff, A; Ordonez; Inge; Laird. RBI: Cabrera, M (92), Huff, A (84). 2-out RBI: Cabrera, M. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Granderson 2; Inge; Guillen, C; Raburn. GIDP: Laird. Team RISP: 3-for-11. Team LOB: 10.		Minnesota AB- R-- H- RBI- BB- SO- LOB -AVG Span, CF-LF 4 1 2 0 0 0 1 .309 Cabrera, O, SS 4 1 2 0 0 1 0 .269 Mauer, C 3 2 1 1 1 1 1 .373 Kubel, RF 4 1 1 2 0 0 1 .303 Cuddyer, 1B 4 1 1 3 0 0 1 .274 Young, D, LF 3 0 2 0 0 1 0 .268 --1-Gomez, C, PR-CF 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .235 Morales, J, DH 3 0 1 0 1 1 1 .367 Buscher, 3B 3 0 0 0 0 2 3 .235 --Tolbert, 3B 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .207 Punto, 2B 3 0 0 0 0 1 3 .226 Totals 32 6 10 6 2 7 11 1-Ran for Young, D in the 7th. BATTING 2B: Cabrera, O (32, Verlander). HR: Mauer (28, 1st inning off Verlander, 0 on, 2 out), Cuddyer (28, 8th inning off Lyon, 2 on, 1 out). TB: Span 2; Cabrera, O 3; Mauer 4; Kubel; Cuddyer 4; Young, D 2; Morales, J. RBI: Mauer (88), Kubel 2 (86), Cuddyer 3 (83). 2-out RBI: Mauer. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Punto; Cuddyer. Team RISP: 2-for-6. Team LOB: 4. BASERUNNING CS: Gomez, C (7, 2nd base by Verlander/Laird), Span (10, 2nd base by Verlander/Laird). FIELDING DP: (Cabrera, O-Punto-Cuddyer).
Detroit IP-- H- R- ER- BB- SO- HR- ERA Verlander (L, 16-9) 7.1 9 5 5 2 6 1 3.44 Lyon 0.2 1 1 1 0 1 1 2.97		Minnesota IP-- H- R- ER- BB- SO- HR- ERA Pavano 7.0 11 2 2 0 4 0 4.82 Crain (W, 6-4) 1.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5.11 Mijares, Jo 0.2 1 0 0 0 0 0 2.15 Guerrier 0.1 0 0 0 0 0 0 2.21
WP: Pavano. IBB: Mauer (by Verlander). HBP: Inge (by Pavano). Pitches-strikes: Verlander 128-82, Lyon 11-9, Pavano 101-70, Crain 11-7, Mijares, Jo 13-8, Guerrier 2-1. Groundouts-flyouts: Verlander 7-7, Lyon 0-1, Pavano 9-8, Crain 2-1, Mijares, Jo 0-2, Guerrier 1-0. Batters faced: Verlander 31, Lyon 3, Pavano 32, Crain 3, Mijares, Jo 3, Guerrier 1. Inherited runners-scored: Lyon 2-2, Guerrier 1-0. Umpires: HP: Tony Randazzo. 1B: Chris Guccione. 2B: Mike Winters. 3B: Jerry Layne. Weather: 70 degrees, dome. Wind: Indoors. T: 2:48. Att: 43,338. September 19, 2009

I just have nothing to say!!!!!