GDT: 9/22/09 - DET (79-70) AT CLE (61-88) - 7:05 p.m. ET

MINNEAPOLIS -- The Tigers got out of the Metrodome without disaster. Now they have to get through Cleveland without falling into a trap.

As much as Detroit called Sunday's win over Minnesota big, avoiding a series sweep, the Tigers know better than to overlook the games coming up. They know the feeling about that all too well from a few weeks ago, when they swept the Rays at St. Petersburg only to drop three in a row in Kansas City on their way to a 3-9 stretch through Saturday.

That's what got Detroit into this race again. Seven games in front in the American League Central coming out of Tampa Bay. The Tigers are now three games up with 13 games left to play, but they're by no means feeling comfortable.

"We got a game. It feels good," reliever Zach Miner said. "But now, pretty much every game we play the rest of the year is probably the biggest game of the year. We have to take care of business. If we don't, we see how these guys [the Twins] are playing right now.

"We have to assume they're going to keep playing that well against the other teams they face. We just have to do our part, win our games. Obviously, we're going to scoreboard watch, but it really doesn't matter. If we don't take care of business, they're going to get another opportunity to catch us. We have to go out and win some games."

The Tigers' next chances at that will come in the city where they arguably made their case as division front-runners. They not only swept a three-game series from the Indians at Progressive Field in early May, they did it while allowing just three runs for the whole series. At that point, Detroit showed it had the front-line pitching to contend, even though the lineup was struggling to score runs.

Justin Verlander and Edwin Jackson combined for 17 scoreless innings in back-to-back shutouts in Cleveland in May. They'll both pitch there again this week. In Jackson's case, he'll be trying to get back that form when he takes the mound for Tuesday's series opener.

Jackson once trailed only AL Cy Young Award candidate Zack Greinke for the league lead in ERA. But now, Jackson's ERA has risen by a half-run over his past five starts, including back-to-back outings with five runs allowed. He gave up four runs on nine hits over five innings to the Indians last month at Comerica Park, albeit in a victory. His loss to the Royals on Thursday was just his third in his past 12 starts.

Manager Jim Leyland said after Jackson's last start that he seemed to be pitching "without all his ammunition," noting the loss of his devastating slider. Jackson spent a good part of his side session Sunday morning at the Metrodome to try to address it.

Jackson knew what was wrong, but he needed the time and the place to fix it. His energy level and arm strength are fine, but his mechanics were not.

"It was something I wanted to do, get back to what I was doing before," Jackson said. "I was just over-rotating [in his delivery], so I wanted to get back in a straight line, straight to home plate."

By over-rotating, Jackson was turning so much as he delivered that his body was out of line at his release. He feels confident that's no longer the case.

Tuesday's outing should be a good test. A solid performance should put him in line for a strong finish. It would also put the Tigers in line to keep building momentum after the latest Twins showdown -- and before the next one.

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Pitching matchup

DET: RHP Edwin Jackson (12-7, 3.37 ERA)
After stingy pitching with a power fastball and biting slider for the first half of the season, Jackson is struggling with the slider a bit, leaving opponents to jump on his fastball for damage. He has allowed 21 earned runs on 37 hits over 31 1/3 innings in his last five starts. His ERA has risen a half-run in that span, from 2.86 on Aug. 21 to 3.37 now. He'll try not simply to throw the slider now, but throw it with confidence against a hyper-aggressive Indians lineup. He's 3-0 with a 2.74 ERA in four starts against Cleveland this year, including two earned runs allowed over 11 innings at Progressive Field.


CLE: RHP Justin Masterson (4-8, 4.49 ERA)
After allowing just one earned run through six innings in his previous two starts, Masterson struggled in his most recent start against the A's, surrendering five runs on six hits and four walks while striking out six through just four innings. Masterson attributed his less-than-stellar outing to his inability to locate his sinker, which proved especially costly when it resulted in a three-run homer off the bat of Kurt Suzuki. Still adjusting to his role as a starter after relieving in Boston until being traded July 31, Masterson will look to bounce back against the Tigers. In two games (3 1/3 combined innings) this season against Detroit, he has allowed just two hits and one walk while striking out six.

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Tidbits

...Left-hander Jarrod Washburn should get a good idea whether his 2009 season is indeed over Tuesday, when he visits Dr. Lewis Yocum for a consultation on his injured left knee, which knocked him out of his last outing and has bothered him to some degree all season.
... Magglio Ordonez is batting .386 (22-for-57) in 17 September games.

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Up next (Probable Pitchers)

• Wednesday: Tigers (Rick Porcello, 13-9, 4.22 ERA) at Indians (David Huff, 10-8, 5.98 ERA), 7:05 p.m. ET
• Thursday: Tigers (Justin Verlander, 16-9, 3.44 ERA) at Indians (Jeremy Sowers, 6-10, 4.92 ERA), 7:05 p.m. ET
• Friday: Tigers (Nate Robertson, 2-2, 5.13 ERA) at White Sox (Jake Peavy, 7-6, 4.05 ERA), 8:11 p.m. ET

STARTING LINEUP:

Detroit AVG
Raburn, LF .276
Polanco, 2B .283
Ordonez, RF .290
Cabrera, M, 1B .332
Thames, DH .254
Inge, 3B .234
Granderson, CF .248
Laird, C .227
Everett, SS .239

Cleveland AVG
Brantley, LF .338
Cabrera, A, SS .306
Choo, RF .300
Peralta, J, 3B .264
Hafner, DH .268
LaPorta, 1B .261
Valbuena, 2B .235
Marson, C .243
Crowe, CF .230

that's right, gogetem - this is it! Now let's go tigers!!!!

Current Conditions

Progressive Field

Cloudy 75 F

Humidity: 74 %

Wind: from the SSE at 12 mph

Barometer: 30.09 in

last updated: 9/22/09 6:45 PM EDT

Inning 1
Top Half

B:1 S:0 O:0 -
Ryan Raburn singles on a ground ball to center fielder Trevor Crowe.

B:1 S:0 O:1 -
Placido Polanco lines out to center fielder Trevor Crowe.

B:0 S:1 O:1 -
Magglio Ordonez doubles (20) on a line drive to center fielder Trevor Crowe. Ryan Raburn to 3rd.

B:2 S:1 O:2 -
Miguel Cabrera lines out to second baseman Luis Valbuena.

B:0 S:0 O:3 -
Marcus Thames grounds out, shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera to first baseman Matt LaPorta.

0-0 after .5 inning

Bottom Half

B:2 S:1 O:0 -
Michael Brantley singles on a line drive to left fielder Ryan Raburn.


B:1 S:0 O:2 - Asdrubal Cabrera lines into double play,
second baseman Placido Polanco to first baseman Miguel Cabrera. Michael
Brantley doubled off 1st.


B:1 S:2 O:2 -
Shin-Soo Choo doubles (36) on a line drive to center fielder Curtis Granderson.


B:3 S:1 O:3 -
Jhonny Peralta pops out to second baseman Placido Polanco.

0-0 after 1 inning

Inning 2
Top Half

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


B:2 S:1 O:1 -
Curtis Granderson flies out to center fielder Trevor Crowe.


B:1 S:1 O:3 - Gerald Laird grounds into double play,
second baseman Luis Valbuena to shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera to first
baseman Matt LaPorta. Brandon Inge out at 2nd.

0-0 after 1.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:1 S:0 O:1 -
Travis Hafner flies out to left fielder Ryan Raburn.

B:3 S:0 O:1 -
Matt LaPorta singles on a sharp ground ball to left fielder Ryan Raburn.

B:1 S:1 O:2 -
Luis Valbuena flies out to center fielder Curtis Granderson.

B:4 S:1 O:2 -
Lou Marson walks. Matt LaPorta to 2nd.

B:1 S:0 O:2 -
Coaching visit to mound.

B:3 S:1 O:3 - Trevor Crowe singles on a line drive to
left fielder Ryan Raburn. Matt LaPorta out at home on the throw, left
fielder Ryan Raburn to catcher Gerald Laird.

0-0 after 2 innings

Inning 3
Top Half

B:1 S:0 O:1 -
Adam Everett flies out to right fielder Shin-Soo Choo.

B:2 S:2 O:1 -
Ryan Raburn homers (14) on a fly ball to right center field.
DET 1, CLE 0

B:3 S:2 O:2 -
Placido Polanco flies out to right fielder Shin-Soo Choo.

B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Magglio Ordonez singles on a line drive to right fielder Shin-Soo Choo.

B:2 S:2 O:3 - Miguel Cabrera grounds into a force out,
third baseman Jhonny Peralta to shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera to second
baseman Luis Valbuena. Magglio Ordonez out at 2nd.

DET 1, CLE 0 after 2.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:2 S:1 O:1 -
Michael Brantley grounds out, shortstop Adam Everett to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

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

B:3 S:2 O:3 -
Shin-Soo Choo flies out to right fielder Magglio Ordonez.

DET 1, CLE 0 after 3 innings

Inning 4
Top Half

B:0 S:1 O:1 -
Marcus Thames grounds out, third baseman Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Matt LaPorta.

B:2 S:1 O:2 -
Brandon Inge grounds out, shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera to first baseman Matt LaPorta.

B:0 S:0 O:3 -
Curtis Granderson bunt grounds out, second baseman Luis Valbuena to first baseman Matt LaPorta.

DET 1, CLE 0 after 3.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:1 S:2 O:1 -
Jhonny Peralta grounds out, third baseman Brandon Inge to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:4 S:1 O:1 -
Travis Hafner walks.

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Andy Marte replaces Matt LaPorta.

B:1 S:0 O:2 -
Andy Marte pops out to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:2 S:0 O:3 -
Luis Valbuena flies out to left fielder Ryan Raburn.

DET 1, CLE 0 after 4 innings

Inning 5
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Andy Marte remains in the game as the first baseman.

B:1 S:2 O:1 -
Gerald Laird lines out to right fielder Shin-Soo Choo.

B:0 S:1 O:2 -
Adam Everett pops out to shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera.

B:4 S:1 O:2 -
Ryan Raburn walks.

B:3 S:2 O:3 -
With Placido Polanco batting, Ryan Raburn caught stealing 2nd base, catcher Lou Marson to second baseman Luis Valbuena.

DET 1, CLE 0 after 4.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Lou Marson grounds out sharply, pitcher Edwin Jackson to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:2 S:1 O:1 -
Trevor Crowe singles on a ground ball to second baseman Placido Polanco.

B:0 S:1 O:3 - Michael Brantley grounds into double
play, shortstop Adam Everett to first baseman Miguel Cabrera. Trevor
Crowe out at 2nd.

DET 1, CLE 0 after 5 innings

Inning 6
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Placido Polanco singles on a line drive to right fielder Shin-Soo Choo.

B:3 S:1 O:0 -
Magglio Ordonez singles on a ground ball to left fielder Michael Brantley. Placido Polanco to 2nd.

B:2 S:1 O:2 - Miguel Cabrera grounds into double play,
second baseman Luis Valbuena to shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera to first
baseman Andy Marte. Placido Polanco to 3rd. Magglio Ordonez out at 2nd.


B:1 S:2 O:3 -
Marcus Thames grounds out, third baseman Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Andy Marte.

DET 1, CLE 0 after 5.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:2 S:2 O:1 -
Asdrubal Cabrera grounds out, shortstop Adam Everett to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:3 S:2 O:1 -
Shin-Soo Choo singles on a sharp ground ball to left fielder Ryan Raburn.

B:1 S:1 O:3 - Jhonny Peralta grounds into double play,
third baseman Brandon Inge to second baseman Placido Polanco to first
baseman Miguel Cabrera. Shin-Soo Choo out at 2nd.

DET 1, CLE 0 after 6 innings

Inning 7
Top Half

B:1 S:1 O:1 -
Brandon Inge grounds out, third baseman Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Andy Marte.

B:1 S:0 O:1 -
Curtis Granderson singles on a line drive to center fielder Trevor Crowe.

B:4 S:0 O:1 -
Gerald Laird walks. Curtis Granderson to 2nd.

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

B:1 S:1 O:1 -
Cleveland Indians left fielder Matt LaPorta left the game due to an injured groin.

B:2 S:1 O:2 -
Adam Everett flies out to left fielder Michael Brantley.

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

B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Pitcher Change: Chris Perez replaces Aaron Laffey.


B:0 S:3 O:3 -
Ryan Raburn on foul tip.

DET 1, CLE 0 after 6.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:0 S:2 O:1 -
Travis Hafner grounds out, third baseman Brandon Inge to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:1 S:0 O:2 -
Andy Marte pops out to shortstop Adam Everett.

B:1 S:1 O:2 -
Luis Valbuena singles on a sharp ground ball to right fielder Magglio Ordonez.

B:4 S:0 O:2 -
Lou Marson walks. Luis Valbuena to 2nd.

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

B:1 S:3 O:3 -
Trevor Crowe swinging.

DET 1, CLE 0 after 7 innings

Inning 8
Top Half

B:4 S:0 O:0 -
Placido Polanco walks.

B:4 S:1 O:0 -
Magglio Ordonez walks. Placido Polanco to 2nd.

B:4 S:1 O:0 -
Coaching visit to mound.

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Offensive Substitution: Pinch runner Clete Thomas replaces Magglio Ordonez.

B:0 S:1 O:0 - Miguel Cabrera doubles (33) on a line
drive to left fielder Michael Brantley. Placido Polanco scores. Clete
Thomas to 3rd.
DET 2, CLE 0

B:1 S:2 O:1 - Marcus Thames out on a sacrifice fly to
right fielder Shin-Soo Choo in foul territory. Clete Thomas scores.
Miguel Cabrera to 3rd on the throw.
DET 3, CLE 0

B:3 S:3 O:2 -
Brandon Inge swinging.

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


B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Pitcher Change: Tony Sipp replaces Chris Perez.

B:0 S:0 O:3 -
Curtis Granderson pops out to second baseman Luis Valbuena.

DET 3, CLE 0 after 7.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Clete Thomas remains in the game as the right fielder.

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Bobby Seay replaces Edwin Jackson.


B:2 S:2 O:1 -
Michael Brantley grounds out, third baseman Brandon Inge to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

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

B:2 S:2 O:1 -
Shin-Soo Choo singles on a line drive to right fielder Clete Thomas. Asdrubal Cabrera to 2nd.

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

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Pitcher Change: Brandon Lyon replaces Bobby Seay.

B:1 S:1 O:2 -
Jhonny Peralta flies out to right fielder Clete Thomas.

B:4 S:2 O:2 -
Travis Hafner walks. Asdrubal Cabrera to 3rd. Shin-Soo Choo to 2nd.

B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Jamey Carroll replaces Andy Marte.

B:4 S:1 O:2 -
Jamey Carroll walks. Asdrubal Cabrera scores. Shin-Soo Choo to 3rd. Travis Hafner to 2nd.
DET 3, CLE 1



B:4 S:1 O:2 -
Coaching visit to mound.

B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Offensive Substitution: Pinch runner Niuman Romero replaces Travis Hafner.

B:1 S:3 O:3 -
Luis Valbuena swinging.

DET 3, CLE 1 after 8 innings

Inning 9
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Niuman Romero remains in the game as the designated hitter.

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Defensive Substitution: Chris Gimenez replaces Jamey Carroll, batting 6th, playing first base.

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


B:1 S:0 O:1 -
Adam Everett bunt grounds out to catcher Lou Marson. Adam Everett out on batter interference.

B:4 S:0 O:1 -
Ryan Raburn walks. Gerald Laird to 2nd.


B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Placido Polanco flies out to center fielder Trevor Crowe.

B:3 S:2 O:3 -
Clete Thomas grounds out to first baseman Chris Gimenez.

DET 3, CLE 1 after 8.5 innings