GDT: 5/4/10 - DET (16-11) at MIN (17-9) - 8:10 p.m. ET

GDT: 5/4/10 - DET (16-11) at MIN (17-9) - 8:10 p.m. ET

We must win Tonight
Go away Target field picture... you bring bad luck!

GDT: 5/4/10 - DET (16-11) at MIN (17-9) - 8:10 p.m. ET 3594425403_c88847976d_t

--- at --- GDT: 5/4/10 - DET (16-11) at MIN (17-9) - 8:10 p.m. ET 3594436579_8ec343951c_t

Detroit Tigers at Minnesota Twins
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Target Field, Minneapolis, MN
Game Time - 8:10 p.m. EDT
______________________________________

Willis looks for encore performance vs. Twins

By Jonathan Mayo / MLB.com

When Dontrelle Willis shut down the Twins just five days ago with six scoreless innings, he did so without having to face Joe Mauer or Justin Morneau. When he tries to replicate the performance that resulted in his first win of the season, he'll have to deal with one of the M&M boys and perhaps a replacement bat that's made an immediate impression.

Willis has had a bit of a resurgence here in 2010, having generally pitched solid baseball at the back end of the Tigers' rotation. When he beat Minnesota in Detroit, it was the second of a five-game winning streak that was snapped by the Twins on Monday. And while it might just be early May, given the history between these two teams, Willis understands the need to try to keep pace with Minnesota as best the Tigers can.

"When this same ballclub forced us into a 163rd game [last year], every game is vital," Willis said. "I think this division is going to be a battle. With the White Sox starting to play better and Kansas City always giving us a run for our money, it's going to be a tough division. So we have to win these tough ballgames and really kind of separate ourselves."

To do that, Willis will have to contend with one of those "M's," Justin Morneau. Morneau missed Willis last time as he dealt with a stiff back. The first baseman is back in full swing and carrying a four-game hitting streak after his two-hit night on Monday.

The other 'M,' of course, is Joe Mauer, who's been dealing with a bruised heel for the past few days. But it looks like the Twins have found an able replacement, at least in the short-term in the form of Wilson Ramos. The 22-year-old catcher was brought up when Mauer went down with the injury and they didn't bring him up to watch.

After hitting .400 this spring in big league camp, he was scuffling down in Triple-A. That hasn't seemed to have affected him in any deep way as Ramos made his big league debut on Sunday and went 4-for-5 against the Indians. He had three more hits on Monday night, giving him a 7-for-9 start to his career.

"I don't mind putting him in," Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said. "That's why we called him up. In Spring Training, he had a great spring. We sent him down for a reason so he could start and play every day. If something happened here where we needed him for a few days in a row then we'd bring him up. So that's exactly what happened."

Tigers: Catching musical chairs
To say that Tigers manager Jim Leyland doesn't like the concept of a personal catcher would be a vast undertstatement. That's why it might have been a little bit of a surprise that Alex Avila hadn't caught Justin Verlander this year until Sunday and Gerald Laird hadn't been behind the plate for Max Scherzer until Monday night.

Verlander and Avila clearly clicked, as the right-hander pitched into the ninth inning against the Angels. The Laird-Scherzer combination didn't turn out too well, with Scherzer getting torched for 10 runs on eight hits over 4 1/3 innings on Monday night. That being said, don't expect it necessarily to be Avila catching Scherzer next time around.

"I thought [Avila] did a good job with Verlander," Leyland said. "Justin is his own guy and he shakes a lot, no matter who catches, but I thought Alex did a good job with him.

"The catcher can put down signs until the cows come home, but the pitcher's got to be able to locate the ball. The more pitches you can throw over the plate, and the more control you have over your fastball, the more flexibility the catcher has."

Twins: Mauer still out
Mauer missed his third straight game on Monday night and it's looking less likely that the Tigers will have to deal with getting the MVP catcher out this series.

The bone bruise in his heel is improving slowly, but the Twins obviously don't want to rush him back needlessly.

"We're just going day-to-day with him and let him make sure we get this thing well," Gardenhire said. "That's why we brought another catcher up here so we can get this thing well. It doesn't do any good to put him out there too quick and let him just keep jamming it and let him have a bad heel for a month.

"So we're going to let him get well here. Whether it's a day or two, I don't know."

Worth noting
Tigers outfielder Austin Jackson has gotten on base in 21 straight games.

... Tigers pitchers gave up walks for the first time in three games on Monday (Scherzer walked four), missing a chance to be just the third team since 1920 to go three straight walkless games since at least 1920 (July 19-2, 1984 and July 23-26, 1997).

... Twins second baseman Orlando Hudson has a 10-game hitting streak and has hit in 20 of his last 23 games. After starting 1-for-12 he's gone 32-for-96 (.333). His 18 hits since April 23 are the second most in the American League, trailing only Jackson's 23.

______________________________________

Pitching matchup

DET: LHP Dontrelle Willis (1-1, 3.75 ERA)
Not since 2006, his younger years with the Florida Marlins, had Willis thrown six-plus scoreless innings with six or more strikeouts until Thursday, when he commanded the strike zone against a Twins lineup that initially waited for him to throw strikes before trying to attack him early. The Twins get another shot at him Tuesday at Target Field, and they'll likely have Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau back in their lineup after they were missing in the finale. If Willis can continue to get the late movement on his fastball to get opponents to mishit balls, he has a good chance at continued success.

MIN: RHP Nick Blackburn (1-1, 6.85 ERA)
Blackburn is set to come off the family medical emergency list for Tuesday's game. The Twins put Blackburn on the list Friday so he could tend to an undisclosed family situation, moving Kevin Slowey ahead in the rotation. Blackburn has not won since his first start this season, although his last two outings have been no-decisions. Blackburn will have his first shot this season against the Tigers, against whom he was 1-1 in three starts last season. In 19 1/3 innings last season against Detroit, Blackburn allowed eight earned runs against the Tigers, striking out 11 and walking five.

______________________________________

From MLB Tigers Press Pass

CHECKING OUT THE NEW PLACE: The Tigers will battle the Twins tonight at Target Field, the second game of a three-game series in Detroit’s first-ever visit to the new ballpark. Target Field is one of two parks the Tigers will see in 2010 for the first time with a visit to New York’s Citi Field scheduled for June 22-24.

ORDONEZ ON THE OFFENSIVE AGAINST THE TWINS: Since joining the Tigers in 2005, Magglio Ordonez is hitting .351 (106x302) with 28 doubles, one triple, 16 home runs and 72 RBI in 81 games against the Twins. He is tops among all active major league players with 28 doubles and 72 RBI against the Twins during this stretch, while he is tied for third with 16 home runs, is fifth with a .609 slugging percentage and ninth with a .351 batting average.

ACTION JACKSON: Austin Jackson has reached base safely in each of his past 21 games dating back to April 11. During the 21-game stretch, he is hitting .407 (37x91) with five doubles, two triples, a home run and six RBI. Jackson is is tops among all American League players with a .407 batting average and 37 hits during that stretch.

DAMON GETTING DIALED IN: Johnny Damon enters this evening’s game against the Twins hitting .363 (29x80) with nine doubles, a triple, home run and 15 walks over his last 23 games dating back to April 10. He is second in the American League with a .464 onbase percentage during that stretch, while he is third with a .363 batting average, tied for third with 29 hits and tied for eighth with 15 walks.

AUSTIN ADDING UP THE HITS: Austin Jackson collected three hits last night against the Twins and he has now hit safely in 23 of his first 26 major league games. He is just the third Tigers player since at least 1920 to collect at least one hit in at least 23 of his first 26 career games. Dale Alexander hit safely in 24 of his first 26 career games in 1929, while Coot Veal hit safely in 23 of his first 26 career games in 1958.

JACKSON’S MULTI-HIT MAGIC: Austin Jackson finished last night’s game against the Twins with three hits and he is leading the American League with 14 multi-hit games this season. He has collected the 14 multi-hit games in his first 26 career games, becoming the second Tigers player since at least 1920 to accomplish the feat. He joins John Stone with 14 multi-hit games in his first 26 career games in 1928.

DOUBLE TROUBLE: The Tigers finished with three doubles against the Twins last night, marking the club’s 22nd straight game with at least one double. During the 22-game stretch, Detroit has collected 64 doubles. The Tigers enter tonight’s game at Minnesota tops among all American League clubs with 74 doubles.

BULLISH BEHAVIOR: Tigers relievers have posted a 1.02 ERA (53.0IP/6ER) over the club’s last 16 games. Club relievers have compiled a 9-3 record and a 2.05 ERA (92.0IP/21ER) through the club’s first 27 games this season. Tigers relievers lead the American League with nine victories, a 2.05 ERA and 92.0 innings pitched.

CABRERA NOMINATED FOR CLUTCH PERFORMER: Miguel Cabrera is one of six players nominated for the Major League Baseball Clutch Performer of the Month for April. Fans can visit www.pepsiclutch.mlb.com to cast their vote between now and 11:59 p.m. on May 9.

RAMIREZ TABBED EL PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Double A Erie outfielder Wilkin Ramirez was selected the Eastern League Player of the Week for April 26-May 2. He hit .500 (11x22) with eight runs scored, two doubles, three home runs and nine RBI in six games during the week.

______________________________________

To track MLB play-by-play, to help post GDT outcomes: http://m.mlb.com/scores/

On the Internet
GDT: 5/4/10 - DET (16-11) at MIN (17-9) - 8:10 p.m. ET Mlbtv

MLB.TV

Gameday Audio
• Gameday
• Official Press Pass game notes

On television

• GDT: 5/4/10 - DET (16-11) at MIN (17-9) - 8:10 p.m. ET 3568397996_42d6007323_t

Plus

On radio

• GDT: 5/4/10 - DET (16-11) at MIN (17-9) - 8:10 p.m. ET 3568395914_9ff694d2bd_t

• XM Channel Schedule
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______________________________________

Up next (Probable Pitchers)

• 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)

• Thursday, May 6: Off
• Friday, May 7:
Tigers (RHP Jeremy Bonderman (1-1, 5.74 ERA)) at Indians (LHP David Huff (1-4, 4.60 ERA)), 7:05 PM ET (FS-D HD / 1270 & 97.1)

• Saturday, May 8:
Tigers (RHP Justin Verlander (2-2, 4.50 ERA)) at Indians (RHP Justin Masterson (0-3, 5.40 ERA)), 1:05 PM ET (FS-D HD / 1270 & 97.1)

STARTING LINEUPS:

Detroit AVG
Jackson, A, CF .377
Damon, DH .316
Ordonez, RF .283
Cabrera, M, 1B .349
Boesch, LF .300
Inge, 3B .255
Sizemore, 2B .265
Laird, C .145
Everett, SS .171
Totals .280

Minnesota AVG
Span, CF .250
Hudson, O, 2B .306
Morneau, 1B .356
Thome, DH .264
Cuddyer, RF .308
Young, D, LF .261
Hardy, SS .240
Ramos, W, C .778
Punto, 3B .250
Totals .279

Inning 1
Top Half

B:4 S:1 O:0 -
Austin Jackson walks.

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
On-field Delay.

B:0 S:1 O:1 - Johnny Damon grounds into a force out,
third baseman Nick Punto to second baseman Orlando Hudson. Austin
Jackson out at 2nd. Johnny Damon to 1st.

B:1 S:0 O:3 - Magglio Ordonez grounds into double
play, pitcher Nick Blackburn to shortstop J. Hardy to first baseman
Justin Morneau. Johnny Damon out at 2nd.

0-0 after .5 inning

SAD DAY, Ernie Harwell has passed away at the age of 92.

GDT: 5/4/10 - DET (16-11) at MIN (17-9) - 8:10 p.m. ET 489392

GDT: 5/4/10 - DET (16-11) at MIN (17-9) - 8:10 p.m. ET 245627

Bottom Half

B:0 S:3 O:1 -
Denard Span GDT: 5/4/10 - DET (16-11) at MIN (17-9) - 8:10 p.m. ET 166205

swinging.

B:4 S:1 O:1 -
Orlando Hudson walks.

B:3 S:3 O:2 -
Justin Morneau called out on GDT: 5/4/10 - DET (16-11) at MIN (17-9) - 8:10 p.m. ET 166205

. Orlando Hudson steals (3) 2nd base.

B:1 S:0 O:2 -
Jim Thome doubles (4) on a fly ball to center fielder Austin Jackson. Orlando Hudson scores.

MIN 1, DET 0

B:4 S:1 O:2 -
Michael Cuddyer walks.

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

B:2 S:2 O:2 -
Delmon Young singles on a ground ball to right fielder Magglio Ordonez. Jim Thome scores. Michael Cuddyer to 3rd.
MIN 2, DET 0

B:2 S:1 O:3 -
J. Hardy grounds into a force out, shortstop Adam Everett to second baseman Scott Sizemore. Delmon Young out at 2nd.

MIN 2, DET 0 after 1 inning

Inning 2
Top Half

B:1 S:2 O:0 -
Miguel Cabrera singles on a ground ball to center fielder Denard Span.

B:0 S:1 O:1 - Brennan Boesch grounds into a force out,
pitcher Nick Blackburn to shortstop J. Hardy. Miguel Cabrera out at
2nd. Brennan Boesch to 1st.

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

MIN 2, DET 0 after 1.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:0 S:3 O:1 -
Wilson Ramos GDT: 5/4/10 - DET (16-11) at MIN (17-9) - 8:10 p.m. ET 166205

swinging.

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

B:2 S:2 O:1 -
Denard Span singles on a ground ball to left fielder Brennan Boesch. Nick Punto to 2nd.

B:1 S:2 O:2 - Orlando Hudson grounds out, pitcher
Dontrelle Willis to second baseman Scott Sizemore to first baseman
Miguel Cabrera. Nick Punto to 3rd. Denard Span to 2nd.

B:0 S:1 O:3 -
Justin Morneau grounds out, second baseman Scott Sizemore to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

MIN 2, DET 0 after 2 innings

Inning 3
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Scott Sizemore grounds out, shortstop J. Hardy to first baseman Justin Morneau.

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

B:1 S:2 O:3 -
Adam Everett pops out to second baseman Orlando Hudson.

Bottom Half

B:2 S:3 O:1 -
Jim Thome GDT: 5/4/10 - DET (16-11) at MIN (17-9) - 8:10 p.m. ET 166205

swinging.

B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Michael Cuddyer grounds out, pitcher Dontrelle Willis to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:2 S:2 O:3 -
Delmon Young flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.

MIN 2, DET 0 after 3 innings

Inning 4
Top Half

B:0 S:1 O:0 -
Austin Jackson singles on a ground ball to right fielder Michael Cuddyer.

B:1 S:0 O:0 -
Johnny Damon singles on a ground ball to right fielder Michael Cuddyer. Austin Jackson to 2nd.

B:1 S:0 O:0 -
Magglio Ordonez singles on a line drive to center fielder Denard Span. Austin Jackson scores. Johnny Damon to 3rd.

MIN 2, DET 1

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Miguel Cabrera singles on a ground ball to left fielder Delmon Young. Johnny Damon scores. Magglio Ordonez to 2nd.

DET 2, MIN 2

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

B:1 S:1 O:1 -
Brennan Boesch pops out to shortstop J. Hardy on the infield fly rule.

B:1 S:1 O:2 -
Brandon Inge lines out to center fielder Denard Span.

B:1 S:1 O:3 -
Scott Sizemore flies out to right fielder Michael Cuddyer.

DET 2, MIN 2 after 4 innings

Inning 4
Top Half

B:0 S:1 O:0 -
Austin Jackson singles on a ground ball to right fielder Michael Cuddyer.

B:1 S:0 O:0 -
Johnny Damon singles on a ground ball to right fielder Michael Cuddyer. Austin Jackson to 2nd.

B:1 S:0 O:0 -
Magglio Ordonez singles on a line drive to center fielder Denard Span. Austin Jackson scores. Johnny Damon to 3rd.

MIN 2, DET 1

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Miguel Cabrera singles on a ground ball to left fielder Delmon Young. Johnny Damon scores. Magglio Ordonez to 2nd.

DET 2, MIN 2

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

B:1 S:1 O:1 -
Brennan Boesch pops out to shortstop J. Hardy on the infield fly rule.

B:1 S:1 O:2 -
Brandon Inge lines out to center fielder Denard Span.

B:1 S:1 O:3 -
Scott Sizemore flies out to right fielder Michael Cuddyer.

DET 2, MIN 2 after 3.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:2 S:1 O:1 -
J. Hardy flies out to right fielder Magglio Ordonez.

B:1 S:0 O:2 -
Wilson Ramos grounds out, shortstop Adam Everett to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:3 S:2 O:3 -
Nick Punto flies out to right fielder Magglio Ordonez.

DET 2, MIN 2 after 4 innings

Inning 5
Top Half

B:1 S:1 O:0 -
Injury Delay. (Laird fouls a ball off his shin)

B:3 S:2 O:1 -
Gerald Laird grounds out, third baseman Nick Punto to first baseman Justin Morneau.

B:0 S:1 O:1 -
Adam Everett hits a ground-rule double (3) on a line drive down the left-field line, on fan interference.

B:1 S:0 O:2 -
Austin Jackson grounds out, shortstop J. Hardy to first baseman Justin Morneau. Adam Everett to 3rd.

B:1 S:0 O:3 -
Johnny Damon flies out to center fielder Denard Span.

DET 2, MIN 2 after 4.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Defensive Substitution: Alex Avila replaces catcher Gerald Laird, batting 8th, playing catcher.

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

B:1 S:0 O:2 -
Orlando Hudson grounds out, shortstop Adam Everett to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:1 S:3 O:3 -
Justin Morneau called out on GDT: 5/4/10 - DET (16-11) at MIN (17-9) - 8:10 p.m. ET 166205

.

DET 2, MIN 2 after 5 innings

Inning 6
Top Half

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

B:1 S:3 O:1 -
Miguel Cabrera GDT: 5/4/10 - DET (16-11) at MIN (17-9) - 8:10 p.m. ET 166205

swinging.

B:1 S:0 O:2 - Brennan Boesch grounds into a force out,
second baseman Orlando Hudson to shortstop J. Hardy. Magglio Ordonez
out at 2nd. Brennan Boesch to 1st.

B:1 S:1 O:2 -
Brandon Inge singles on a ground ball to shortstop J. Hardy. Brennan Boesch to 2nd.

B:0 S:1 O:3 -
Scott Sizemore grounds into a force out, fielded by third baseman Nick Punto. Brennan Boesch out at 3rd.

DET 2, MIN 2 after 5.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:3 S:3 O:1 -
Jim Thome GDT: 5/4/10 - DET (16-11) at MIN (17-9) - 8:10 p.m. ET 166205

on foul tip.

B:2 S:0 O:1 -
Michael Cuddyer doubles (6) on a fly ball to center fielder Austin Jackson.

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

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Pitcher Change: Joel Zumaya replaces Dontrelle Willis.

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Delmon Young singles on a soft ground ball to third baseman Brandon Inge. Michael Cuddyer to 3rd.

B:0 S:2 O:1 -
J. Hardy singles on a ground ball to center fielder Austin Jackson. Michael Cuddyer scores. Delmon Young to 2nd.

MIN 3, DET 2

B:3 S:2 O:3 - Wilson Ramos grounds into double play,
shortstop Adam Everett to second baseman Scott Sizemore to first
baseman Miguel Cabrera. J. Hardy out at 2nd.

MIN 3, DET 2 after 6 innings

Inning 7
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Detroit Tigers catcher Gerald Laird left the game due to an injured leg.

B:1 S:0 O:1 -
Alex Avila grounds out, second baseman Orlando Hudson to first baseman Justin Morneau.

B:0 S:2 O:2 -
Adam Everett flies out to right fielder Michael Cuddyer.

B:1 S:0 O:3 -
Austin Jackson grounds out, second baseman Orlando Hudson to first baseman Justin Morneau.

MIN 3, DET 2 after 6.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:2 S:3 O:1 -
Nick Punto GDT: 5/4/10 - DET (16-11) at MIN (17-9) - 8:10 p.m. ET 166205

swinging.

B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Denard Span grounds out to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:2 S:3 O:3 -
Orlando Hudson GDT: 5/4/10 - DET (16-11) at MIN (17-9) - 8:10 p.m. ET 166205

swinging.

MIN 3, DET 2 after 7 innings

Inning 8
Top Half

B:2 S:2 O:1 -
Johnny Damon grounds out, shortstop J. Hardy to first baseman Justin Morneau.

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

B:2 S:1 O:3 -
Miguel Cabrera grounds out to first baseman Justin Morneau.

MIN 3, DET 2 after 7.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Phil Coke replaces Joel Zumaya.

B:1 S:2 O:0 -
Justin Morneau singles on a ground ball to pitcher Phil Coke.

B:2 S:1 O:1 -
Jim Thome flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.

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

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Pitcher Change: Ryan Perry replaces Phil Coke.

B:1 S:1 O:3 - Michael Cuddyer grounds into double
play, third baseman Brandon Inge to second baseman Scott Sizemore to
first baseman Miguel Cabrera. Justin Morneau out at 2nd.

MIN 3, DET 2 after 8 innings

Inning 9
Top Half

B:0 S:1 O:0 -
Brennan Boesch homers (2) on a fly ball to right field.
DET 3, MIN 3

B:0 S:3 O:1 -
Brandon Inge GDT: 5/4/10 - DET (16-11) at MIN (17-9) - 8:10 p.m. ET 166205

swinging.

B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Scott Sizemore grounds out, pitcher Nick Blackburn to first baseman Justin Morneau.

B:1 S:0 O:2 -
Alex Avila doubles (3) on a fly ball to left fielder Delmon Young.

B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Ramon Santiago replaces Adam Everett.

B:0 S:0 O:3 - Ramon Santiago singles on a ground ball
to shortstop J. Hardy. Alex Avila out at home, shortstop J. Hardy to
third baseman Nick Punto.

DET 3, MIN 3 after 8.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Ramon Santiago remains in the game as the shortstop.

B:1 S:2 O:1 -
Delmon Young grounds out softly, shortstop Ramon Santiago to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:3 S:1 O:1 -
J. Hardy triples (1) on a fly ball to center fielder Austin Jackson.

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

B:1 S:1 O:1 -
With Wilson Ramos batting, wild pitch by Ryan Perry, J. Hardy scores.

MIN 4, DET 3 final score

Subject: Re: GDT: 5/4/10 - DET (16-11) at MIN (17-9) - 8:10 p.m. ET