GDT: 9/20/09 - DET (78-70) AT MIN (76-72) - 2:10 p.m. ET

MINNEAPOLIS -- Nate Robertson can rattle off a laundry list of things he won't miss about the Metrodome when the Twins move out after this season. But this is the kind of game he wouldn't miss.

Though Robertson was politically correct about moving to the bullpen earlier this week, he has long made it clear he'd rather be starting. A couple days and a Jarrod Washburn injury later, not only is Robertson back in Detroit's rotation for the stretch run, he's pitching in what might stand as one of the most critical games of it.

If momentum is only as good as the next day's pitcher, then it rides on Robertson's left shoulder. Win Sunday's series finale against the Twins, and the Tigers leave town with a three-game lead in the American League Central, only one game less than the four-game lead with which they arrived. A loss Sunday drops that lead to one game with six games left in Cleveland and Chicago on this road trip.

Robertson pitched the opening games of the American League Division Series and AL Championship Series in 2006. He has been in this situation before. If the Tigers have any postseason games in their future, Robertson's performance Sunday could play a big role.

"It's going to be a huge game tomorrow," Robertson said after Saturday's loss.

Then he continued.

"And it's going to be a huge game on Tuesday, and Wednesday, and Thursday, and Friday, and so on."

That's the approach with which the Tigers enter Sunday. To them, it's one game, just as Saturday's disappointment was one game.

"It's a tough loss, definitely," catcher Gerald Laird said. "Even so, we have to come back and play [Sunday]. For the most part, if we come in here and win [Sunday], this game will be forgotten. We'll be on the plane with a three-game lead. One game at a time. We win, we're sitting in a good position."

The one thing that makes Sunday's game different is that it'll be Detroit's final game in the Metrodome. After Saturday's lost fly ball, it's unlikely Robertson -- or any of his teammates -- will be giving a tearful farewell.

Robertson tried to add up all the days he had spent under this pressurized roof, and he estimated it at two months of his life, or 60 days. He has left with some sort of sinus problem several times, as have a few of his teammates, which is why the Tigers' medical staff has a decongestant available for all their players whenever they arrive.

Detroit's greater concern this time is Robertson's flexibility after his latest injury. Robertson was bumped from the rotation after pelvic inflammation hampered him in a bad outing last weekend. However, his pitches in his side session Thursday at Comerica Park left pitching coach Rick Knapp and manager Jim Leyland encouraged that he has the flexibility and the bite on his pitches that allowed him to be effective in two starts after returning from the disabled list in late August.

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Pitching matchup

DET: LHP Nate Robertson (1-2, 5.35 ERA)
Robertson's combination of fastball, slider and changeup worked wonders, relatively speaking, before his pelvic injury worsened, so the Tigers are hoping he can get back that form. He's 5-5 with a 4.08 ERA in 11 career starts at the Metrodome.


MIN: RHP Scott Baker (13-8, 4.35 ERA)
Baker had his shortest start since Aug. 19 on Tuesday against Cleveland, lasting just 5 1/3 innings while giving up three runs on five Indians hits. He had to battle just to make it that deep into the game, throwing 101 pitches while striking out five and walking a pair. The fourth inning did him in as Cleveland put up three runs to take a 3-1 lead. Baker didn't factor into the decision, a Twins win. He would have improved to 4-0 against the Indians this season. Baker has posted a 9.58 ERA in two games against Detroit this year, but didn't factor into the decision in either start.

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Tidbits

... Leyland was weighing Saturday whether to start Marcus Thames for Sunday's game. He's 6-for-21 (.286) with four home runs and six RBIs off Baker in his career.
... Orlando Cabrera is 8-for-19 (.421) lifetime off Robertson, but hasn't faced him this year. Likewise, Jason Kubel is 0-for-11 with five strikeouts off Robertson without a matchup so far in 2009.
... Aubrey Huff's RBI single Saturday raised his average to .200 (16-for-80) since joining the Tigers last month. He has 12 RBIs in 29 games.
... Placido Polanco is batting .364 (24-for-66) in September after Saturday's 4-for-5 outburst.

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Up next (Probable Pitchers)

• 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
• Wednesday: Tigers (Rick Porcello, 13-9, 4.22 ERA) at Indians (TBD), 7:05 p.m. ET

Starting lineup:

TIGERS

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

P: Nate Robertson

Inning 1
Top Half

B:3 S:3 O:1 -
Curtis Granderson swinging.

B:2 S:1 O:1 - Placido Polanco singles on a fly ball to
left fielder Delmon Young. Placido Polanco advances to 2nd, on fielding
error by left fielder Delmon Young.

B:1 S:3 O:2 -
Marcus Thames swinging.

B:1 S:0 O:3 -
Miguel Cabrera grounds out, shortstop Orlando Cabrera to first baseman Michael Cuddyer.

0-0 after .5 inning

Bottom Half

B:1 S:3 O:1 -
Denard Span swinging.

B:2 S:1 O:1 -
Orlando Cabrera singles on a ground ball to center fielder Curtis Granderson.

B:0 S:2 O:1 -
Joe Mauer singles on a line drive to left fielder Carlos Guillen. Orlando Cabrera to 3rd.

B:1 S:2 O:2 - Jason Kubel grounds out, second baseman
Placido Polanco to first baseman Miguel Cabrera. Orlando Cabrera
scores. Joe Mauer to 2nd.
MIN 1, DET 0



B:2 S:3 O:3 -
Michael Cuddyer swinging.

MIN 1, DET 0 after 1 inning

Inning 2
Top Half

B:1 S:2 O:1 -
Magglio Ordonez flies out to right fielder Jason Kubel.

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

B:3 S:2 O:3 -
Brandon Inge flies out to right fielder Jason Kubel.

MIN 1, DET 0 after 1.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:0 S:2 O:1 -
Delmon Young pops out to first baseman Miguel Cabrera in foul territory.

B:3 S:3 O:2 -
Brendan Harris swinging.

B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Matt Tolbert singles on a fly ball to center fielder Curtis Granderson.

B:3 S:1 O:2 -
With Nick Punto batting, Matt Tolbert steals (6) 2nd base.

B:4 S:1 O:2 -
Nick Punto walks.

B:3 S:3 O:3 -
Denard Span swinging.

MIN 1, DET 0 after 2 innings

Inning 3
Top Half

B:1 S:2 O:1 -
Gerald Laird grounds out, third baseman Matt Tolbert to first baseman Michael Cuddyer.

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Ramon Santiago singles on a ground ball to center fielder Denard Span.

B:1 S:1 O:2 -
Curtis Granderson pops out to second baseman Nick Punto.

B:0 S:3 O:3 -
Placido Polanco called out on .
Bottom Half

B:2 S:2 O:1 -
Orlando Cabrera pops out to shortstop Ramon Santiago.

B:0 S:1 O:2 -
Joe Mauer grounds out, first baseman Miguel Cabrera to pitcher Nate Robertson.

B:4 S:1 O:2 -
Jason Kubel walks.

B:0 S:0 O:3 -
Michael Cuddyer flies out to center fielder Curtis Granderson.

MIN 1, DET 0 after 3 innings

Inning 4
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Marcus Thames flies out to right fielder Jason Kubel.

B:1 S:3 O:2 -
Miguel Cabrera swinging.

B:1 S:2 O:2 -
Magglio Ordonez singles on a line drive to left fielder Delmon Young.

B:3 S:1 O:2 -
Carlos Guillen triples (3) on a fly ball to right fielder Jason Kubel. Magglio Ordonez scores. DET 1, MIN 1



B:1 S:0 O:3 -
Brandon Inge grounds out, second baseman Nick Punto to first baseman Michael Cuddyer.
Bottom Half

B:3 S:2 O:0 -
Delmon Young doubles (14) on a line drive to right fielder Magglio Ordonez.

B:2 S:1 O:1 -
Brendan Harris grounds out, second baseman Placido Polanco to first baseman Miguel Cabrera. Delmon Young to 3rd.

B:2 S:2 O:2 -
Matt Tolbert grounds out, third baseman Brandon Inge to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

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

B:1 S:0 O:2 -
Nick Punto singles on a fly ball to left fielder Carlos Guillen. Delmon Young scores.
MIN 2, DET 1



B:1 S:1 O:3 -
With Denard Span batting, Nick Punto caught stealing 2nd base, catcher Gerald Laird to shortstop Ramon Santiago.

MIN 2, DET 1 after 4 innings

Inning 5
Top Half

B:4 S:2 O:0 -
Gerald Laird walks.

B:1 S:1 O:0 -
Ramon Santiago singles on a sharp ground ball to right fielder Jason Kubel. Gerald Laird to 2nd.

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Coaching visit to mound.

B:2 S:0 O:1 -
Curtis Granderson grounds out to first baseman Michael Cuddyer. Gerald Laird to 3rd. Ramon Santiago to 2nd.

B:1 S:1 O:1 -
Placido Polanco singles on a fly ball to right fielder Jason Kubel. Gerald Laird scores. Ramon Santiago scores.
DET 3, MIN 2



B:1 S:2 O:1 -
Marcus Thames singles on a ground ball to left fielder Delmon Young. Placido Polanco to 2nd.

B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Miguel Cabrera flies out to center fielder Denard Span.

B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Magglio Ordonez singles on a ground ball to center fielder Denard Span. Placido Polanco scores. Marcus Thames to 2nd.
DET 4, MIN 2



B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Pitcher Change: Ron Mahay replaces Scott Baker.

B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Coaching visit to mound.

B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Ryan Raburn replaces Carlos Guillen.

B:2 S:3 O:3 -
Ryan Raburn swinging.
Bottom Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Ryan Raburn remains in the game as the left fielder.

B:0 S:3 O:1 -
Denard Span called out on .

B:4 S:2 O:1 -
Orlando Cabrera walks.

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Coaching visit to mound.

B:0 S:2 O:2 -
Joe Mauer flies out to left fielder Ryan Raburn in foul territory.

B:1 S:3 O:3 -
Jason Kubel called out on .

DET 4, MIN 2 after 5 innings

Inning 6
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Jesse Crain replaces Ron Mahay.

B:1 S:3 O:1 -
Brandon Inge swinging.

B:0 S:1 O:1 -
Gerald Laird singles on a bunt ground ball to pitcher Jesse Crain.

B:1 S:1 O:2 -
Ramon Santiago flies out to left fielder Delmon Young. Gerald Laird to 2nd.

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

B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Pitcher Change: Francisco Liriano replaces Jesse Crain.

B:0 S:1 O:3 -
Curtis Granderson flies out to center fielder Denard Span.
Bottom Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Zach Miner replaces Nate Robertson.

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

B:2 S:2 O:2 -
Delmon Young pops out to second baseman Placido Polanco.

B:3 S:2 O:3 -
Brendan Harris flies out to center fielder Curtis Granderson.

DET 4, MIN 2 after 6 innings

Inning 7
Top Half

B:0 S:1 O:1 -
Placido Polanco grounds out, second baseman Nick Punto to first baseman Michael Cuddyer.

B:3 S:3 O:2 -
Marcus Thames swinging.

B:1 S:1 O:2 -
Miguel Cabrera doubles (32) on a fly ball to right fielder Jason Kubel.

B:2 S:2 O:3 -
Magglio Ordonez grounds out, third baseman Matt Tolbert to first baseman Michael Cuddyer.

Bottom Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Defensive Substitution: Clete Thomas replaces right fielder Magglio Ordonez, batting 5th, playing right field.

B:2 S:2 O:0 -
Matt Tolbert singles on a fly ball to center fielder Curtis Granderson.

B:1 S:2 O:1 - Nick Punto grounds into a force out,
shortstop Ramon Santiago to second baseman Placido Polanco. Matt
Tolbert out at 2nd. Nick Punto to 1st.

B:3 S:3 O:2 -
Denard Span swinging. Nick Punto steals (12) 2nd base.

B:2 S:1 O:3 -
Orlando Cabrera flies out to right fielder Clete Thomas.

DET 4, MIN 2 after 7 innings

Inning 8
Top Half

B:1 S:0 O:0 -
Ryan Raburn homers (13) on a fly ball to left center field.
DET 5, MIN 2



B:4 S:2 O:0 -
Brandon Inge walks.

B:4 S:2 O:0 -
Coaching visit to mound.

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Jon Rauch replaces Francisco Liriano.

B:0 S:1 O:0 -
Gerald Laird singles on a line drive to center fielder Denard Span. Brandon Inge to 2nd.

B:0 S:0 O:1 - Ramon Santiago out on a sacrifice bunt,
pitcher Jon Rauch to first baseman Michael Cuddyer. Brandon Inge to
3rd. Gerald Laird to 2nd.

B:4 S:0 O:1 -
Jon Rauch intentionally walks Curtis Granderson.

B:3 S:2 O:1 -
Injury Delay.

B:3 S:2 O:2 -
Placido Polanco out on a sacrifice fly to right fielder Jason Kubel. Brandon Inge scores. Gerald Laird to 3rd.
DET 6, MIN 2



B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Aubrey Huff replaces Marcus Thames.

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

Bottom Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Aubrey Huff remains in the game as the designated hitter.

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Bobby Seay replaces Zach Miner.

B:1 S:0 O:0 -
Joe Mauer singles on a fly ball to left fielder Ryan Raburn.

B:2 S:1 O:2 - Jason Kubel grounds into double play,
shortstop Ramon Santiago to second baseman Placido Polanco to first
baseman Miguel Cabrera. Joe Mauer out at 2nd.

B:0 S:1 O:3 -
Michael Cuddyer grounds out, shortstop Ramon Santiago to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

DET 6, MIN 2 after 8 innings

Inning 9
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Bob Keppel replaces Jon Rauch.

B:0 S:1 O:1 -
Miguel Cabrera grounds out, third baseman Matt Tolbert to first baseman Michael Cuddyer.

B:2 S:2 O:1 -
Clete Thomas singles on a line drive to right fielder Jason Kubel.

B:1 S:0 O:2 -
Ryan Raburn grounds out, third baseman Matt Tolbert to first baseman Michael Cuddyer. Clete Thomas to 2nd.

B:0 S:1 O:2 -
Brandon Inge hit by pitch.

B:1 S:2 O:3 -
Gerald Laird flies out to right fielder Jason Kubel.

DET 6, MIN 2 after 8.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Fernando Rodney replaces Bobby Seay.

B:2 S:2 O:1 -
Delmon Young grounds out to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Jose Morales replaces Brendan Harris.

B:4 S:1 O:1 -
Jose Morales walks.

B:0 S:1 O:2 - Matt Tolbert grounds into a force out,
shortstop Ramon Santiago to second baseman Placido Polanco. Jose
Morales out at 2nd. Matt Tolbert to 1st.

B:0 S:2 O:3 -
Nick Punto grounds out, second baseman Placido Polanco to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

Tigers WIN 6-2

September 20, 2009

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9		R	H	E
Detroit	0	0	0	1	3	0	0	2	0		6	13	0
Minnesota	1	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0		2	7	1

Detroit AB- R-- H-- RBI- BB- SO- LOB -AVG- Granderson, CF 4 0 0 0 1 1 4 .248 Polanco, 2B 4 1 2 3 0 1 1 .283 Thames, DH 4 0 1 0 0 2 1 .254 --b-Huff, A, PH-DH 1 0 0 0 0 1 2 .245 Cabrera, M, 1B 5 0 1 0 0 1 3 .332 Ordonez, RF 4 1 2 1 0 0 1 .290 --Thomas, C, RF 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 .244 Guillen, C, LF 2 0 1 1 0 1 0 .237 --a-Raburn, PH-LF 3 1 1 1 0 1 3 .276 Inge, 3B 3 1 0 0 1 1 1 .234 Laird, C 4 1 2 0 1 0 2 .227 Santiago, SS 3 1 2 0 0 0 1 .263 Totals 38 6 13 6 3 9 19 a-Struck out for Guillen, C in the 5th. b-Struck out for Thames in the 8th. BATTING 2B: Cabrera, M (32, Liriano). 3B: Guillen, C (3, Baker, S). HR: Raburn (13, 8th inning off Liriano, 0 on, 0 out). TB: Polanco 2; Thames; Cabrera, M 2; Ordonez 2; Thomas, C; Guillen, C 3; Raburn 4; Laird 2; Santiago 2. RBI: Guillen, C (34), Polanco 3 (68), Ordonez (41), Raburn (40). 2-out RBI: Guillen, C; Ordonez. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Cabrera, M; Inge; Raburn; Granderson; Ordonez; Huff, A; Laird. S: Santiago. SF: Polanco. Team RISP: 2-for-12. Team LOB: 11. FIELDING DP: (Santiago-Polanco-Cabrera, M).		Minnesota AB- R-- H- RBI- BB- SO- LOB- AVG Span, CF 4 0 0 0 0 4 3 .306 Cabrera, O, SS 3 1 1 0 1 0 1 .269 Mauer, C 4 0 2 0 0 0 1 .374 Kubel, RF 3 0 0 1 1 1 3 .301 Cuddyer, 1B 4 0 0 0 0 1 2 .272 Young, D, LF 4 1 1 0 0 0 0 .268 Harris, B, DH 3 0 0 0 0 1 1 .261 --a-Morales, J, PH-DH 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 .367 Tolbert, 3B 4 0 2 0 0 0 2 .215 Punto, 2B 3 0 1 1 1 0 2 .227 Totals 32 2 7 2 4 7 15 a-Walked for Harris, B in the 9th. BATTING 2B: Young, D (14, Robertson, N). TB: Cabrera, O; Mauer 2; Young, D 2; Tolbert 2; Punto. RBI: Kubel (87), Punto (33). 2-out RBI: Punto. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Cuddyer; Span; Cabrera, O. GIDP: Kubel. Team RISP: 1-for-7. Team LOB: 7. BASERUNNING SB: Punto (12, 2nd base off Miner/Laird), Tolbert (6, 2nd base off Robertson, N/Laird). CS: Punto (3, 2nd base by Robertson, N/Laird). FIELDING E: Young, D (4, fielding).
Detroit IP-- H- R- ER- BB- SO- HR- ERA Robertson, N (W, 2-2) 5.0 5 2 2 3 6 0 5.13 Miner (H, 7) 2.0 1 0 0 0 1 0 4.41 Seay 1.0 1 0 0 0 0 0 3.54 Rodney 1.0 0 0 0 1 0 0 3.82		Minnesota IP-- H- R- ER- BB- SO- HR- ERA Baker, S (L, 13-9) 4.2 8 4 4 1 5 0 4.43 Mahay 0.1 0 0 0 0 1 0 4.53 Crain 0.2 1 0 0 0 1 0 5.04 Liriano 1.1 2 2 2 1 1 1 5.79 Rauch 1.0 1 0 0 1 1 0 3.92 Keppel 1.0 1 0 0 0 0 0 4.96
Liriano pitched to 2 batters in the 8th. IBB: Granderson (by Rauch). HBP: Inge (by Keppel). Pitches-strikes: Robertson, N 98-62, Miner 36-21, Seay 8-5, Rodney 16-10, Baker, S 86-57, Mahay 5-3, Crain 9-7, Liriano 27-16, Rauch 20-10, Keppel 16-11. Groundouts-flyouts: Robertson, N 4-4, Miner 1-4, Seay 3-0, Rodney 3-0, Baker, S 4-5, Mahay 0-0, Crain 0-1, Liriano 2-1, Rauch 1-1, Keppel 2-1. Batters faced: Robertson, N 22, Miner 7, Seay 3, Rodney 4, Baker, S 23, Mahay 1, Crain 3, Liriano 7, Rauch 5, Keppel 5. Inherited runners-scored: Mahay 2-0, Liriano 1-0, Rauch 1-1. Umpires: HP: Chris Guccione. 1B: Mike Winters. 2B: Jerry Layne. 3B: Tony Randazzo. Weather: 69 degrees, dome. Wind: Indoors. T: 3:12. Att: 36,335. September 20, 2009

Great, Nate!! Verlander had decent outing, too. Unfortunate for that 88th inning yesterday, but that's the home field advantage for you (ball in roof, if ya know what I mean.)
Now, let's go Tigers - and Jackson!!!