GDT: 5/5/10 - DET (16-12) at MIN (18-9) - 1:10 p.m. ET

GDT: 5/5/10 - DET (16-12) at MIN (18-9) - 1:10 p.m. ET

This game is dedicated to Ernie Harwell who passed away last night. GDT: 5/5/10 - DET (16-12) at MIN (18-9) - 1:10 p.m. ET 535941

GDT: 5/5/10 - DET (16-12) at MIN (18-9) - 1:10 p.m. ET 3594425403_c88847976d_t

--- at --- GDT: 5/5/10 - DET (16-12) at MIN (18-9) - 1:10 p.m. ET 3594436579_8ec343951c_t

Detroit Tigers at Minnesota Twins
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Target Field, Minneapolis, MN
Game Time - 1:10 p.m. EDT
______________________________________

Tigers, Twins greet finale with heavy hearts

By Rhett Bollinger / MLB.com

After the passing of Hall of Fame broadcaster Ernie Harwell on Tuesday, the Tigers will certainly be playing with heavy hearts on Wednesday when they play the Twins in the final game of a three-game series at Target Field.

After all, the legendary broadcaster called Tigers games for 42 seasons before retiring from that position after the 2002 season.

"Ernie was so engaging," Tigers general manager Dave Dombrowski said. "He had such a genuine gift of making people feel like he was your friend. Ernie made you feel good about life, and brought a smile to everyone he knew. His passion and wisdom during each broadcast gave you insight to his love for the Tigers, and for the state of Michigan."

But just like life, baseball will have to go on for the Tigers when they go up against the Twins on Wednesday.

Tigers right-hander Rick Porcello will try to keep Detroit from being swept by Minnesota when he takes the mound against fellow right-hander Kevin Slowey.

Porcello has struggled with an 8.03 ERA in five starts this season, but he made a mechanical tweak in his last start that changed his release point and made his sinker more effective like it was last season when he posted a 3.96 ERA as a rookie. He recorded eight ground ball outs against the Angels in that start and said he can tell his mechanics are getting back in order.

"When everything's right mechanically, that's the type of pitcher, the balance that I want to have," Porcello said. "I got into a little funk there with my mechanics and it kind of threw everything off, and then all of a sudden I was just trying to get back to my regular mechanics and get my sinker back, because that's always going to be my go-to pitch. So it's almost like I had to put that on hold for a second and just get back to square one and just try to simplify stuff.

Meanwhile, Slowey will try to lead the Twins to their first three-game sweep of the season as they've had trouble closing out sweeps this season in series against the White Sox, Indians and Royals.

But the Twins, who enter the game with 2 1/2-game lead over the Tigers in the AL Central, aren't too worried about their inability to finish out sweeps this season.

"[We'll] take it just like we would every other game," Twins shortstop J.J. Hardy said. "We've been trying to go out there every game and win. I don't think we are going to take [the finale] differently."

Tigers: Remembering Ernie Harwell
The Tigers will be holding a public viewing for Ernie Harwell at Comerica Park on Thursday, starting at 7 a.m. ET. The viewing will be located at Gate A and the public is invited to pay respects to the broadcaster. Following Harwell's wishes, there will not be a public memorial and funeral services will be private. The Tigers will also pay tribute to Harwell prior to the Tigers' game against the Yankees on Monday at Comerica Park. A flag bearing Harwell's initials will be raised on the center field flag pole and will be flown through the end of the current season. Additionally, for the remainder of the season, all uniformed personnel will wear a patch on the right sleeve in memory of Harwell, inscribed with the legendary broadcaster's initials.

Twins: Mauer's MRI reveals no structural damage
Catcher Joe Mauer received good news on Tuesday when an MRI of his injured left heel revealed only a deep soft tissue bruise and no structural damage. Mauer was out of the lineup for the fourth straight game on Tuesday and is listed as day-to-day. The catcher was batting .345 with a one home run and 13 RBIs in 22 games before the injury.

Worth noting
Tigers third baseman Brandon Inge will get the day off on Wednesday, according to Tigers manager Jim Leyland. Combined with Thursday's off-day, it'll give Inge two days off. Don Kelly will start in his place.

... The Tigers are just 5-16 at Minnesota since the start of 2008.

... The Twins scored in the first inning for the fifth consecutive game in Tuesday's walkoff win and have scored at least two runs in each of those five. Minnesota also improved to 8-3 in 11 games played at Target Field and is now 4-1 in its five games.

... The Twins' walk-off win over the Tigers on Tuesday was their first walk-off victory since Oct. 6, 2009 against Detroit, which was the tiebreaker to decide the American League Central champion.

______________________________________

Pitching matchup

DET: RHP Rick Porcello (2-2, 8.03 ERA)
Porcello returns to the site of his AL Central tiebreaker gem looking to regain his old form. Both Porcello and the Tigers believe the 21-year-old is close to getting back his old sinker that opponents would beat into the ground for outs last year. A mechanical tweak to raise his arm angle and change his release point in his delivery helped him work the Angels for nine ground-ball outs over 5 1/3 innings Friday night at Comerica Park. He gave up five runs on eight hits in the process, but much of that damage came around when Torii Hunter jumped on a first-pitch slider for a three-run homer.

MIN: RHP Kevin Slowey (3-2, 3.77 ERA)
Slowey will be pitching on normal rest after pitching a day ahead last weekend against the Indians, when Nick Blackburn was placed on the family medical emergency list. Slowey mostly stayed out of trouble until the fifth inning, but pulled out the win after allowing just three runs on nine hits and no walks. Slowey fanned six in that outing. Slowey hasn't faced Detroit this season. Last year, the right-hander went 1-0 in two starts, the victory resulting from an eight-hit, two-walk effort in which he allowed a run over six innings.

______________________________________

From MLB Tigers Press Pass

CHECKING OUT THE NEW PLACE: The Tigers will battle the Twins this afternoon at Target Field, the final 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.

JACKSON TABBED ROOKIE OF THE MONTH: Austin Jackson was named the American League Rookie of the Month for April by Major League Baseball. He hit .364 (36x99) with 20 runs scored, six doubles, two triples, a home run and seven RBI in 23 games during the month. Jackson topped all American League players with 36 hits during the month, while he finished second with a .364 batting average and tied for third with 20 runs scored. He is third Tigers player to have won the award, joining Justin Verlander (May of 2006) and Rick Porcello (May of 2009).

ORDONEZ ON THE OFFENSIVE AGAINST THE TWINS: Since joining the Tigers in 2005, Magglio Ordonez is hitting .353 (108x306) with 28 doubles, one triple, 16 home runs and 73 RBI in 82 games against the Twins. He is tops among all active major league players with 28 doubles and 73 RBI against the Twins during this stretch, while he is tied for third with 16 home runs, tied for fifth with a .608 slugging percentage and is ninth with a .353 batting average.

ACTION JACKSON: Austin Jackson has reached base safely in each of his past 22 games dating back to April 11. During the 22-game stretch, he is hitting .404 (38x94) with five doubles, two triples, a home run and six RBI. Jackson is tops among all American League players with a .404 batting average and 38 hits during that stretch.

DAMON GETTING DIALED IN: Johnny Damon enters this afternoon’s game against the Twins hitting .357 (30x84) with nine doubles, a triple, home run and 15 walks over his last 24 games dating back to April 10. He is second in the American League with a .455 onbase percentage during that stretch, while he is fourth with a .357 batting average, tied for fifth with 30 hits and tied for 10th with 15 walks.

AUSTIN ADDING UP THE HITS: Austin Jackson singled last night against the Twins and he has now hit safely in 24 of his first 27 major league games. He is just the third Tigers player since at least 1920 to collect at least one hit in at least 24 of his first 27 career games. Dale Alexander hit safely in 24 of his first 27 career games in 1929, while Coot Veal hit safely in 24 of his first 27 career games in 1958.

JACKSON’S MULTI-HIT MAGIC: Austin Jackson finished Monday 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 27 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 27 career games in 1928.

LEGGING OUT INFIELD HITS: The Tigers enter today’s game at Minnesota tops among all American League clubs with 28 infield hits this season. Austin Jackson is leading the league with nine infield hits, while Johnny Damon is tied for fourth with seven infield hits.

DOUBLE TROUBLE: The Tigers finished with two doubles against the Twins last night, marking the club’s 23rd straight game with at least one double. During the 23-game stretch, Detroit has collected 66 doubles. The Tigers enter this afternoon’s game at Minnesota second among all American League clubs with 76 doubles.

BULLISH BEHAVIOR: Tigers relievers have posted a 1.13 ERA (56.0IP/7ER) over the club’s last 17 games. Club relievers have compiled a 9-4 record and 2.08 ERA (95.0IP/22ER) through the club’s first 28 games this season. Tigers relievers lead the American League with nine victories, a 2.08 ERA and 95.0 innings pitched.

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

On the Internet
GDT: 5/5/10 - DET (16-12) at MIN (18-9) - 1:10 p.m. ET Mlbtv

MLB.TV

Gameday Audio
• Gameday
• Official Press Pass game notes

On television

• GDT: 5/5/10 - DET (16-12) at MIN (18-9) - 1:10 p.m. ET 3568397996_42d6007323_t

On radio

• GDT: 5/5/10 - DET (16-12) at MIN (18-9) - 1:10 p.m. ET 3568395914_9ff694d2bd_t

,

GDT: 5/5/10 - DET (16-12) at MIN (18-9) - 1:10 p.m. ET 3567580565_0f598f1903_t

• XM Channel Schedule
• Direct TV Extra Innings Schedule

______________________________________

Up next (Probable Pitchers)

• 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)

• Sunday, May 9:
Tigers (RHP Max Scherzer (1-2, 6.47 ERA)) at Indians (RHP Mitch Talbot (3-2, 2.88 ERA)), 1:05 PM ET (FS-D HD / 1270 & 97.1)

STARTING LINEUPS:

Detroit AVG
Jackson, A, CF .376
Damon, LF .314
Ordonez, DH .291
Cabrera, M, 1B .355
Boesch, RF .294
Kelly, 3B .200
Avila, C .162
Sizemore, 2B .250
Santiago, SS .315
Totals .282

Minnesota AVG
Span, CF .250
Hudson, O, 2B .297
Morneau, 1B .351
Kubel, DH .203
Cuddyer, RF .309
Young, D, LF .274
Ramos, W, C .583
Casilla, A, SS .222
Punto, 3B .237
Totals .279

Inning 1
Top Half

B:2 S:1 O:1 -
Austin Jackson flies out to right fielder Michael Cuddyer.

B:3 S:2 O:2 -
Johnny Damon pops out to second baseman Orlando Hudson.

B:2 S:1 O:3 -
Magglio Ordonez grounds out, shortstop Alexi Casilla to first baseman Justin Morneau.

0-0 after .5 inning

can we get it together today?

and the Tigers will have the Yankees next -- -- this is not the way to postseason!!!

yes i'm a little grumpy about it -- and today is be not grumpy day

Porcello, will you find the zone - -- puh-leeeeze?

ok...at least it's 2 runs, now...

and RIP Earl Halliwell..i remember listening to him

Bottom Half

B:0 S:1 O:0 -
Denard Span singles on a ground ball to right fielder Brennan Boesch.

B:4 S:1 O:0 -
Orlando Hudson walks. Denard Span to 2nd.

B:0 S:1 O:0 -
Justin Morneau doubles (8) on a fly ball to center fielder Austin Jackson. Denard Span scores. Orlando Hudson to 3rd.

MIN 1, DET 0

B:2 S:3 O:1 -
Jason Kubel GDT: 5/5/10 - DET (16-12) at MIN (18-9) - 1:10 p.m. ET 166205

GDT: 5/5/10 - DET (16-12) at MIN (18-9) - 1:10 p.m. ET 166205

swinging.

B:3 S:2 O:2 - Michael Cuddyer grounds out, shortstop
Ramon Santiago to first baseman Miguel Cabrera. Orlando Hudson scores.
Justin Morneau to 3rd.

MIN 2, DET 0

B:1 S:0 O:3 -
Delmon Young flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.

MIN 2, DET 0 after 1 inning

msgol wrote:: and RIP Earl Halliwell..i remember listening to him

me too.

Ernie Harwell was one of the best and will be greatly missed.

Inning 2
Top Half

B:2 S:2 O:0 -
Miguel Cabrera singles on a sharp line drive to shortstop Alexi Casilla.

B:2 S:1 O:2 - Brennan Boesch grounds into double play,
shortstop Alexi Casilla to second baseman Orlando Hudson to first
baseman Justin Morneau. Miguel Cabrera out at 2nd.

B:1 S:3 O:3 -
Don Kelly GDT: 5/5/10 - DET (16-12) at MIN (18-9) - 1:10 p.m. ET 166205

swinging.

MIN 2, DET 0 after 1.5 innings

well porcello may be settling down...let's see what happens go team

ah, good inning...
now it's Rally!

Bottom Half

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Wilson Ramos grounds out, pitcher Rick Porcello to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:2 S:3 O:2 -
Alexi Casilla called out on GDT: 5/5/10 - DET (16-12) at MIN (18-9) - 1:10 p.m. ET 166205

.

B:0 S:1 O:3 -
Nick Punto grounds out, third baseman Don Kelly to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

(8 pitch inning for Rick)

MIN 2, DET 0 after 2 innings

Last edited by GoGetEmTigers on Wed May 05, 2010 2:49 pm; edited 1 time in total

GDT: 5/5/10 - DET (16-12) at MIN (18-9) - 1:10 p.m. ET 573366

home run

GDT: 5/5/10 - DET (16-12) at MIN (18-9) - 1:10 p.m. ET 46108

Inning 3
Top Half

B:1 S:2 O:0 -
Alex Avila homers (1) on a fly ball to right field.

MIN 2, DET 1

what'd i say?? go team

B:1 S:2 O:1 -
Scott Sizemore pops out to second baseman Orlando Hudson.

good eye Ramon!

woo-hoo - action jackson!! go austin!

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

B:1 S:3 O:2 -
Austin Jackson called out on GDT: 5/5/10 - DET (16-12) at MIN (18-9) - 1:10 p.m. ET 166205

.

oh man

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

MIN 2, DET 1 after 2.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:4 S:1 O:0 -
Denard Span walks.

B:0 S:1 O:1 - Orlando Hudson grounds into a force out,
third baseman Don Kelly to shortstop Ramon Santiago to second baseman
Scott Sizemore. Denard Span out at 2nd. Orlando Hudson to 1st.

B:1 S:0 O:2 -
Justin Morneau flies out to left fielder Johnny Damon.

Subject: Re: GDT: 5/5/10 - DET (16-12) at MIN (18-9) - 1:10 p.m. ET