GDT: 5/3/10 - DET (16-10) at MIN (16-9) - 8:10 p.m. ET

Twins, Tigers renew old rivalry in new park

By Spencer Fordin / MLB.com

It was a true must-win game, the fate of the season riding on one result. Minnesota and Detroit will face each other in Minnesota on Monday for the first time since engaging in a play-in game for the playoffs last season, a confrontation won by the Twins. The stakes will be somewhat smaller on Monday, but both teams know they will be facing their biggest rival for a playoff berth.

That fact was immediately evident last fall, when the Twins came out on top of a 6-5 game that sent them to the playoffs. And it's clear again, with the two teams separated by a half-game at the top of the American League Central. Minnesota will send Scott Baker to the hill Monday, and he'll be matched up against Detroit's Max Scherzer.

This will also be Detroit's first trip to the brand new Target Field, diluting the rematch aspect a bit.

"I never worried about the Metrodome," said Detroit manager Jim Leyland. "The Metrodome was a miserable place to play for everybody, but I never let it [get to me]. The narrow little place in there where all the coaches were stuffed in there -- the writers couldn't get in there. You couldn't talk to anybody. You're trying to get dressed and somebody's in your face. There were a lot of aggravating things, but I didn't mind playing in the Metrodome."

"It's obviously going to have a different feel. There's no question about that," added Detroit shortstop Adam Everett, a former Twins player in his own right. "And it's going to be exciting playing in the new park and getting to see the surroundings and whatnot. It's going to be fun. I'm looking forward to it. It's going to exceptionally nice that it's not going to be a dome."

Baker, a key member of Minnesota's rotation over the past few seasons, has turned in two quality starts in his first five outings. The right-hander has been hit hard in each of his past two starts -- one of which came against Detroit -- and has allowed at least four earned runs three times. Baker has completed seven innings twice this year, and he's won both times.

Scherzer, who surfaced in Detroit as part of the Edwin Jackson trade to Arizona, faced Minnesota last week and was knocked out in the fourth inning. Prior to that, Scherzer had completed six innings in three of his previous four starts. The hard-throwing right-hander has 20 strikeouts and just seven walks this season. Scherzer allowed 10 hits and six runs to the Twins last week.

Tigers: Deal paying off
Rookie leadoff man Austin Jackson continued to roll on Sunday, when he collected another three hits to pace Detroit's attack. Jackson, who was acquired from the Yankees during the winter in the Curtis Granderson trade, has reached base safely in 20 consecutive games. Jackson is batting .395 (34-for-86) with six extra-base hits and six RBIs over that span.

Jackson has made quite an impact, and he leads all Major League rookies in batting average (.367), runs scored (21) and hits (40). The youngster also ranks among the AL leaders in average, hits and runs. Jackson already has 13 multihit games this season, and the Tigers will keep writing his name into the lineup as often as possible.

Twins: Ramos makes impact
The Twins recalled reserve catcher Wilson Ramos on Sunday, one night after experiencing a bit of a scare. Starting catcher Joe Mauer has been listed as day-to-day due to a bruised left heel, and when backup Drew Butera was shaken up on Saturday night, Minnesota was left without another alternative. At that point, manager Ron Gardenhire began to get creative.

Gardenhire decided that if he didn't have anyone else to catch, second baseman Orlando Hudson might be his best bet.

"I started looking down the bench figuring out who we could put in there," Gardenhire said of the four-time Gold Glove-winner. "That's what we decided. If nothing else, we figured he'd wear hitters down by talking to them all the time."

Ramos, who batted .179 for Triple-A Rochester, will stick around until Mauer returns to peak condition. The rookie netted four hits in his big league debut, and the Twins will likely test him as long as he sticks with the parent club.

Worth noting
The Twins have committed just four errors this season, the fewest in baseball. In fact, Minnesota's defense set an expansion-era record by going 17 games without committing an infield error. ... Minnesota continued an interesting trend by scoring twice in the first inning Sunday. The Twins have now scored 29 percent (38 of 130) of their runs in the first two innings. ... Minnesota placed Pat Neshek on the disabled list in order to make room for Ramos. ... The Tigers are now 11-2 when they score at least five runs, and they're 5-8 when they score four or fewer. ... Detroit is 8-4 against the AL Central this year.



Pitching matchup

DET: RHP Max Scherzer (1-1, 4.23 ERA)
Scherzer had his first quick hook as a Tiger in his last start, chased in the fourth inning Wednesday by a three-run Twins rally. He'll get his chance at a rematch, this time starting the Tigers' first game at Minnesota's new Target Field, but he'll have to do a better job of keeping the ball in the park. He has given up five home runs over his last four outings, including two to the Twins, while his ratio of groundouts to flyouts is almost even. The good news for him is that he has quality starts in each of his previous three outings on the road.


MIN: RHP Scott Baker (2-2, 5.72 ERA)
Baker is coming off back-to-back disappointing outings and he'll have to face the Tigers for a second straight time after they tagged him for five runs on nine hits over four-plus innings his last time out. The Twins had handed Baker a 6-1 lead heading into the fourth inning on Wednesday night, but Baker would give back nearly all of those runs in a tough inning. The right-hander got a lot of balls up in the zone during his start against Detroit, and he admitted that he didn't feel like he had good stuff at all against the Tigers. He'll try to see if he can turn things around in his next start, this one coming at Target Field. Baker is 1-1 with a 5.68 ERA in two starts at the Twins' new home so far this season.


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Up next (Probable Pitchers)

• Tuesday, May 4:
Tigers (LHP Dontrelle Willis (1-1, 3.75 ERA)) at Twins (RHP Nick Blackburn (1-1, 6.85 ERA)), 8:10 PM ET (FSD PLUS / 1270)

• Wednesday, May 5:
Tigers (RHP Rick Porcello (2-2, 8.03 ERA)) at Twins (RHP Kevin Slowey (3-2, 3.77 ERA)), 1:10 PM ET (FS-D HD / 1270 & 97.1)

STARTING LINEUPS:

Detroit AVG
Jackson, A, CF .367
Damon, DH .326
Ordonez, RF .284
Cabrera, M, 1B .340
Boesch, LF .269
Inge, 3B .255
Raburn, 2B .250
Laird, C .155
Santiago, SS .314
Totals .281

Minnesota AVG
Span, CF .242
Hudson, O, 2B .308
Morneau, 1B .349
Thome, DH .265
Cuddyer, RF .308
Kubel, LF .211
Hardy, SS .228
Ramos, W, C .800
Punto, 3B .265
Totals .277

Inning 1
Top Half

B:0 S:1 O:1 -
Austin Jackson lines out softly to first baseman Justin Morneau.

B:0 S:3 O:2 -
Johnny Damon swinging.

B:0 S:1 O:2 -
Magglio Ordonez singles on a soft line drive to center fielder Denard Span.

B:0 S:1 O:2 - Miguel Cabrera singles on a fly ball to
left fielder Jason Kubel. Magglio Ordonez to 3rd. Miguel Cabrera
advances to 2nd, on throwing error by left fielder Jason Kubel.

B:2 S:3 O:3 -
Brennan Boesch swinging.

0-0 after .5 inning

Bottom Half

B:2 S:3 O:1 -
Denard Span swinging.

B:1 S:0 O:1 -
Orlando Hudson singles on a soft line drive to left fielder Brennan Boesch.

B:4 S:2 O:1 -
Justin Morneau walks. Orlando Hudson to 2nd.

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Jim Thome singles on a line drive to center fielder Austin Jackson. Orlando Hudson scores. Justin Morneau to 3rd.

MIN 1, DET 0


B:2 S:1 O:1 -
Michael Cuddyer homers (4) on a fly ball to left center field. Justin Morneau scores. Jim Thome scores.

MIN 4, DET 0



B:2 S:2 O:2 -
Jason Kubel grounds out, first baseman Miguel Cabrera to pitcher Max Scherzer.

B:1 S:2 O:3 -
J. Hardy flies out to left fielder Brennan Boesch.

MIN 4, DET 0 after 1 inning

light rain during game

Inning 2
Top Half

B:1 S:3 O:1 -
Brandon Inge called out on .

B:0 S:3 O:2 -
Ryan Raburn swinging.

B:0 S:2 O:3 -
Gerald Laird grounds out softly, third baseman Nick Punto to first baseman Justin Morneau.

MIN 4, DET 0 after 1.5 innings

Get it together, Max!

Bottom Half

B:1 S:2 O:0 -
Wilson Ramos singles on a soft line drive to left fielder Brennan Boesch.

B:4 S:2 O:0 -
Nick Punto walks. Wilson Ramos to 2nd.

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

B:1 S:2 O:0 -
Denard Span triples (2) on a line drive to right fielder Magglio Ordonez. Wilson Ramos scores. Nick Punto scores.

MIN 6, DET 0


B:0 S:1 O:1 -
Orlando Hudson grounds out, shortstop Ramon Santiago to first baseman Miguel Cabrera. Denard Span scores.

MIN 7, DET 0


B:1 S:0 O:1 -
Justin Morneau singles on a line drive to right fielder Magglio Ordonez.


B:0 S:1 O:2 -
Jim Thome flies out to left fielder Brennan Boesch.

B:0 S:0 O:3 -
Michael Cuddyer pops out to first baseman Miguel Cabrera in foul territory.

MIN 7, DET 0 after 2 innings

Inning 3
Top Half

B:1 S:3 O:1 -
Ramon Santiago swinging.

B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Austin Jackson flies out to right fielder Michael Cuddyer.

B:4 S:1 O:2 -
Johnny Damon walks.

B:2 S:2 O:3 -
Magglio Ordonez flies out to right fielder Michael Cuddyer.

MIN 7, DET 0 after 2.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Jason Kubel flies out to right fielder Magglio Ordonez.

B:2 S:2 O:1 -
J. Hardy doubles (4) on a line drive to right fielder Magglio Ordonez.

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

B:3 S:1 O:3 -
Nick Punto grounds out to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

MIN 7, DET 0 after 3 innings

Inning 4
Top Half

B:1 S:1 O:0 -
Miguel Cabrera singles on a line drive to right fielder Michael Cuddyer.

B:2 S:2 O:0 -
Brennan Boesch doubles (5) on a fly ball to right fielder Michael Cuddyer. Miguel Cabrera scores.

MIN 7, DET 1

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Brandon Inge pops out to second baseman Orlando Hudson.


B:0 S:3 O:2 -
Ryan Raburn swinging.

B:0 S:0 O:3 -
Gerald Laird flies out to right fielder Michael Cuddyer.

MIN 7, DET 1 after 3.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:0 S:1 O:1 -
Denard Span grounds out, first baseman Miguel Cabrera to pitcher Max Scherzer.

B:1 S:2 O:2 -
Orlando Hudson flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:0 S:0 O:3 -
Justin Morneau grounds out, second baseman Ryan Raburn to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

MIN 7, DET 1 after 4 innings

Inning 5
Top Half

B:4 S:2 O:0 -
Ramon Santiago walks.

B:1 S:0 O:0 -
Austin Jackson singles on a line drive to right fielder Michael Cuddyer. Ramon Santiago to 2nd.

B:2 S:1 O:0 -
With Johnny Damon batting, wild pitch by Scott Baker, Ramon Santiago to 3rd. Austin Jackson to 2nd.

B:2 S:2 O:1 - Johnny Damon grounds out, first baseman Justin Morneau to pitcher Scott Baker. Ramon Santiago scores. Austin Jackson to 3rd.

MIN 7, DET 2


B:0 S:1 O:2 -
Magglio Ordonez grounds out to first baseman Justin Morneau. Austin Jackson scores.

MIN 7, DET 3



B:0 S:2 O:3 -
Miguel Cabrera lines out to center fielder Denard Span.

MIN 7, DET 3 after 4.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:3 S:1 O:1 -
Jim Thome flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:4 S:0 O:1 -
Michael Cuddyer walks.

B:3 S:1 O:1 -
With Jason Kubel batting, wild pitch by Max Scherzer, Michael Cuddyer to 2nd.

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

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

B:1 S:0 O:1 -
J. Hardy singles on a soft fly ball to left fielder Brennan Boesch. Michael Cuddyer scores. Jason Kubel to 2nd.

MIN 8, DET 3


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

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Pitcher Change: Brad Thomas replaces Max Scherzer.

B:1 S:0 O:1 -
Wilson Ramos doubles (2) on a fly ball to right fielder Magglio Ordonez. Jason Kubel scores. Hardy to 3rd.

MIN 9, DET 3


B:2 S:2 O:2 -
Nick Punto out on a sacrifice fly to center fielder Austin Jackson. J. Hardy scores.

MIN 10, DET 3


B:3 S:2 O:3 -
Denard Span grounds out, second baseman Ryan Raburn to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

MIN 10, DET 3 after 5 innings

Inning 6
Top Half

B:2 S:0 O:1 -
Brennan Boesch grounds out to first baseman Justin Morneau.

B:0 S:1 O:1 -
Brandon Inge doubles (11) on a line drive to left fielder Jason Kubel.

B:0 S:1 O:2 -
Ryan Raburn grounds out, second baseman Orlando Hudson to first baseman Justin Morneau. Brandon Inge to 3rd.

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

MIN 10, DET 3 after 5.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Orlando Hudson pops out to shortstop Ramon Santiago.

B:2 S:1 O:1 -
Justin Morneau singles on a ground ball to right fielder Magglio Ordonez.

B:1 S:1 O:2 - Jim Thome grounds into a force out,
second baseman Ryan Raburn to shortstop Ramon Santiago. Justin Morneau
out at 2nd. Jim Thome to 1st.

B:0 S:0 O:3 -
Michael Cuddyer grounds out, pitcher Brad Thomas to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

MIN 10, DET 3 after 6 innings

Inning 7
Top Half

B:2 S:1 O:1 -
Ramon Santiago pops out to third baseman Nick Punto in foul territory.

B:1 S:2 O:1 -
Austin Jackson doubles (8) on a fly ball to right fielder Michael Cuddyer.

B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Johnny Damon flies out to center fielder Denard Span. Austin Jackson to 3rd.

B:2 S:0 O:3 -
Magglio Ordonez grounds out, third baseman Nick Punto to first baseman Justin Morneau.


Bottom Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Defensive Substitution: Adam Everett replaces right fielder Magglio Ordonez, batting 3rd, playing shortstop.

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Defensive Substitution: Don Kelly replaces first baseman Miguel Cabrera, batting 4th, playing first base.

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Defensive switch from second base to right field for Ryan Raburn.

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Defensive switch from shortstop to second base for Ramon Santiago.

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Jason Kubel grounds out to pitcher Brad Thomas.

B:1 S:2 O:2 -
J. Hardy grounds out, third baseman Brandon Inge to first baseman Don Kelly.

B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Wilson Ramos doubles (3) on a line drive to left fielder Brennan Boesch.

B:2 S:0 O:3 -
Nick Punto grounds out, second baseman Ramon Santiago to first baseman Don Kelly.

MIN 10, DET 3 after 7 innings

Inning 8
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Alex Burnett replaces Scott Baker.

B:1 S:3 O:1 -
Don Kelly called out on .

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Brennan Boesch singles on a line drive to left fielder Jason Kubel.

B:2 S:0 O:3 - Brandon Inge grounds into double play,
third baseman Nick Punto to second baseman Orlando Hudson to first
baseman Justin Morneau. Brennan Boesch out at 2nd.

MIN 10, DET 3 after 7.5 innings

Bottom Half

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

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Alexi Casilla replaces Orlando Hudson.

B:2 S:0 O:2 - Alexi Casilla grounds into double play,
third baseman Brandon Inge to second baseman Ramon Santiago to first
baseman Don Kelly. Denard Span out at 2nd.

B:2 S:3 O:3 -
Justin Morneau called out on .

MIN 10, DET 3 after 8 innings

Inning 9
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Alexi Casilla remains in the game as the second baseman.

B:2 S:1 O:1 -
Ryan Raburn flies out to right fielder Michael Cuddyer.

B:0 S:1 O:2 -
Gerald Laird grounds out, shortstop J. Hardy to first baseman Justin Morneau.

B:4 S:1 O:2 -
Ramon Santiago walks.

B:1 S:1 O:2 -
Austin Jackson triples (3) on a line drive to right fielder Michael Cuddyer. Ramon Santiago scores.

MIN 10, DET 4



B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Alex Avila replaces Johnny Damon.

B:1 S:3 O:3 -
Alex Avila called out on .

MIN 10, DET 4 final score