GDT: 8/31/10 - DET (65-66) AT MIN (75-56) - 8:10 p.m. ET

Tigers to tussle with division-leading Twins

By Alex Espinoza / MLB.com

While the Twins' recent road trip didn't go quite as planned, they return in roughly the same condition as they left: in first place in the AL Central by 4 1/2 games over the White Sox. Minnesota lost its first three contests at Texas to start the road swing, but won three of four to close it out.

Despite a bevy of injuries to key players this season, the Twins have maintained a lead on the rest of the division since Aug. 12.

"We want the team concept here," Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said. "If you become good team player here, do the little things that help us win, you'll have your foot in the door. That's all we preach, grab an oar and row the boat."

For Tuesday's series opener against the Tigers, the Twins will turn to Brian Duensing. Since joining the Minnesota rotation on July 23, Duensing has quietly been one of the team's most reliable arms. After making 39 relief appearances to start the season, the 27-year-old lefty is 4-1 with a 2.66 ERA in seven starts.

"Things are working out so far," Duensing said. "Hopefully, they keep going on."

While the Tigers appeared to have faded from the playoff picture, they have heated up lately, winning seven of their past nine games. Detroit has tabbed Armando Galarraga for Tuesday's tilt.

Galarraga has allowed just one run over his past two outings, a span of 13 1/3 innings, striking out 12 while allowing eight hits and two walks. But the 28-year-old right-hander struggled in his only appearance against the Twins this season, when he allowed six earned runs on seven hits and two walks over four innings on June 29.

Twins: Two Twins ready for Galarraga
Joe Mauer and Denard Span have an extensive history of success against Galarraga in their careers. Mauer is batting .450 (9-for-20) with two home runs, 10 RBIs and five walks against him, while Span is hitting .563 (9-for-16) with four RBIs and two walks.

Denard Span is riding a five-game hitting streak and is batting .364 with a double, two RBIs and one walk during that streak. ... Despite Sunday's loss, the Twins have won 16 of their last 25 games on the road. ... Danny Valencia went 0-for-3 on Sunday to snap his six-game hitting streak.

Tigers: Leyland not ready to hang it up
At age 65, Jim Leyland still has a passion for managing. Leyland, who is signed through the 2011 season, said he would like a contract extension to grow with the team he deems to have promising future.

"When my energy runs out, they won't have to tell me to go home -- I'll go home," Leyland said. "I have a reset point, and I don't see it happening in the near future. I feel good, I enjoy what I'm doing, I love the organization.

Worth noting:
This three-game series marks Detroit's final trip to Target Field this season. The two teams will square off on Sept. 24-26 in Detroit. The Twins hold a 7-5 advantage in the season series so far.



Pitching matchup

TIGERS: RHP Armando Galarraga (4-5, 4.04 ERA)
Galarraga will be looking for better results than his last start at Target Field, on June 29, when he allowed six runs in four-plus innings en route to a loss. The right-hander has a 3.48 ERA in August.

TWINS: LHP Brian Duensing (7-2, 2.19 ERA)
Duensing suffered his first loss as a starter this year, giving up four runs on six hits in six innings to the Rangers. He's 4-1 since joining the rotation on July 23 and has won nine of his 11 decisions as a starter dating back to last season.




INJURY UPDATE:
• RHP Zach Miner (Partial tear in right elbow, 60-day DL on March 26, Had successful Tommy John surgery May 28, Out for Season),
• LHP Bobby Seay (Torn rotator cuff, 60-day DL on March 26, Doctors recommended surgery, Out for Season),
• OF Magglio Ordonez (right ankle fracture, 15-day DL on July 25, Had surgery surgery Aug. 25, Out for Season),
• INF Danny Worth (bruised left heel, 15-day DL on August 4, Out for Season),
• RHP Joel Zumaya (non-displaced fracture of the olecranon, 60-day DL on June 29, Underwent elbow surgery July 12, Out for Season).
• Carlos Guillen (Bruised left knee, 15-day DL on August 23)
• Gerald Laird c - Aug 28: (tweaked his back) Day-To-Day
• Jeremy Bonderman sp - Aug 28: (rib-cage inflammation beneath his throwing arm) Day-To-Day

Out for Season
Expected Back
Day-To-Day



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Up next (Probable Pitchers)


• Wednesday, September 1,
TIGERS (RHP Max Scherzer (10-9, 3.60 ERA)) AT TWINS (LHP Francisco Liriano (12-7, 3.41 ERA)), 8:10 p.m. ET (FS-D HD / AM 1270 & 97.1 FM)

• Thursday, September 2,
TIGERS (RHP Justin Verlander (14-8, 3.58 ERA)) AT TWINS (RHP Scott Baker (12-9, 4.55 ERA)), 8:10 p.m. ET (FS-D HD & MLBN / AM 1270 & 97.1 FM)

STARTING LINEUPS:

Detroit AVG
Jackson, A, CF .307
Rhymes, 2B .316
Raburn, LF .254
Cabrera, M, 1B .342
Peralta, J, SS .245
Inge, 3B .254
Damon, DH .270
Wells, C, RF .286
Avila, C .216
Totals .270

Minnesota AVG
Span, CF .269
Hudson, O, 2B .284
Mauer, C .327
Kubel, RF .259
Cuddyer, 1B .273
Young, D, DH .305
Valencia, 3B .320
Repko, LF .221
Hardy, SS .261
Totals .278

Bottom Half

• B:0 S:0 O:0 - Pitcher Change: Phil Coke replaces Armando Galarraga.
  
• B:4 S:2 O:0 -J. Hardy walks.
  
• B:0 S:0 O:0 -Offensive Substitution: Pinch runner Alexi Casilla replaces J. Hardy.
  
• B:1 S:1 O:1 -Denard Span out on a sacrifice bunt, pitcher Phil Coke to second baseman Will Rhymes. Alexi Casilla to 2nd.
  
• B:1 S:1 O:1 -Coaching visit to mound.
  
• B:0 S:3 O:2 -Orlando Hudson out swinging.
  
• B:2 S:2 O:2 -Joe Mauer hit by pitch.
  
• B:1 S:0 O:2 -Jason Kubel hit by pitch. Alexi Casilla to 3rd. Joe Mauer to 2nd.
  
• B:1 S:0 O:2 -Injury Delay.
  
• B:1 S:0 O:2 -Coaching visit to mound.
  
• B:0 S:0 O:2 -Pitcher Change: Ryan Perry replaces Phil Coke.
  
• B:4 S:0 O:2 -Michael Cuddyer walks. Alexi Casilla scores. Joe Mauer to 3rd. Jason Kubel to 2nd.
  DET 3, MIN 3
  
• B:1 S:1 O:3 -Delmon Young singles on a ground ball to right fielder Casper Wells. Joe Mauer scores. Jason Kubel out at home on the throw, right fielder Casper Wells to catcher Alex Avila.
  MIN 4, DET 3
  

MIN 4, DET 3 AFTER 7 INNINGS

Team RISP: 2-for-12.
Team LOB: 11.