GDT: 8/28/11 - DET (73-59) AT MIN (55-77) - 2:10 p.m. ET

Surging Tigers eye sweep in last visit to Minnesota

By John Schlegel / MLB.com | 8/27/2011 9:26 PM ET

With a change at the top of the American League Central all but a certainty at this point, the current heir apparent will make one last visit to the reigning champions.

The surging first-place Tigers go for the sweep Sunday at Target Field, having won 15 of their past 18 games, dating back to last year, against the Twins, the two-time defending division champions who now stand a season-worst 22 games under .500.

Brad Penny, coming off one of his best starts of the season, gets the ball for the Tigers in the series finale against left-hander Brian Duensing. The Tigers, who still have work to do to stave off the Indians and White Sox, will meet the Twins once more this season, from Sept. 9-11 in Detroit.

With four rookies regularly in the starting lineup, it's a learning process for the Twins, who dropped their seventh straight Saturday. Falling out of contention after back-to-back titles hasn't been because of just one thing, says veteran first baseman Justin Morneau.

"It's just the little things," he said. "Obviously, the guys in the middle of the lineup need to do their part, and I need to play the way I'm capable of playing. That's the first thing. And it's just got to be simple. Like I said, getting guys over, getting guys in, stealing a base when you need to do it, take the extra base, going first to third, all the little things that good teams do to win ballgames. Not giving the other team too many outs."

For the Tigers, the last days of August have brought one of their hotter strings of the year, with Justin Verlander's 20th win of the season marking their 12th win in 16 games.

"Every win is big for us right now," said Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera, who went yard Saturday and is now is 7-for-17 on the road trip. "We've got to keep going, and play good baseball right now and try to play hard."

Tigers: Penny coming off odd gem
• Penny allowed one run on eight hits over 6 1/3 innings in his last outing against the Rays, his first start allowing one run or fewer since July 1 against the Giants. Over his previous seven starts, Penny was 3-3 with a 6.31 ERA in the second half.

Penny battled from behind all night, throwing first-pitch strikes to just five of the 26 batters he faced. But he issued just one walk and outdueled the Rays' David Price.

"I was behind all night," Penny said. "Fortunately, I didn't give in, like a few times in my [previous] start."

• Utility man Don Kelly is expected to return to the team Sunday after missing two games on paternity leave. Kelly's wife, Carrie, gave birth Friday morning to a boy, their second child. The Tigers optioned Danny Worth after Saturday's 6-4 win to make room.

Twins: Duensing looking for answers
• Duensing is coming off another rough outing, in which he allowed seven runs over just two-plus innings Tuesday against the Orioles. The loss dropped him to 2-6 with a 7.42 ERA over his past eight starts, and his ERA jumped to 5.12 on the season in 26 outings.

"I don't know what it is, to be honest," Duensing said. "I'm just kind of wrong right now."

Duensing noted he's doing everything he can to get himself right.

"I've done a lot," he said. "We tried fixing my hand slot, the front-side stuff and slowing things down. We've done a lot to try and fix and find it, but I haven't really done it yet, obviously. I'll have to try to grind it out and find a way to go deep into a game."

• The Twins remain hopeful that Joe Mauer might be able to return to the lineup as early as Sunday after missing the last four games with a stiff neck, but it might be longer before he's ready to get behind the plate. The Twins have the option of calling up Rene Rivera to fill in.

Worth noting
• The Tigers have won 18 of their past 27 games on the road, dating back to July 6.

• The Tigers next head home to play four against the Royals, starting Monday. Max Scherzer will take the mound against the Royals' Luke Hochevar.

• The Twins head to Chicago for a three-game set starting Monday, with Kevin Slowey taking on Mark Buehrle in the opener.

Tigers: RHP Brad Penny (9-9, 4.82 ERA)

Penny threw just five first-pitch strikes out of 26 batters on Tuesday at Tampa Bay, but he still managed to outpitch David Price with 6 1/3 innings of one-run ball. A nasty splitter and some smart change of speeds were key.


Twins: LHP Brian Duensing (8-13, 5.12 ERA)

Duensing turned in his worst outing of the year vs. the O's on Tuesday, allowing seven runs on nine hits and a walk while retiring just six of the 16 batters he faced. He lost his fifth straight decision and has an 8.65 ERA over those five starts.


Game Information



RESCHEDULED GAMES: The following is the information on the rescheduled Tigers games postponed at Comerica Park this season:
- Thursday, September 1 versus Kansas City at 1:05 p.m. (rescheduled from May 15)

INJURY UPDATE:

• INF Carlos Guillen (sore left wrist, 15-day disabled list on August 13),
• RHP Al Alburquerque (concussion, 15-day disabled list on August 12).
• RHP Joel Zumaya (right elbow olecranon fracture surgery, 60-day disabled list on March 30).
• LHP Brad Thomas (left elbow inflammation, 60-day DL on May 11)



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• Monday, August 29:
Tigers (RHP Max Scherzer (13-7, 4.21 ERA)) VS
Royals (RHP Luke Hochevar (8-10, 4.91 ERA)),
7:05 p.m. ET (FS-D HD / WXYT 97.1 FM & 1270 AM)

• Tuesday, August 30:
Tigers (RHP Doug Fister (6-13, 3.35 ERA)) VS
Royals (LHP Jeff Francis (5-14, 4.82 ERA)),
7:05 p.m. ET (FS-D HD / WXYT 97.1 FM & 1270 AM)

• Wednesday, August 31:
Tigers (RHP Rick Porcello (12-8, 5.01 ERA)) VS
Royals (RHP Felipe Paulino (2-6, 3.83 ERA)),
1:05 p.m. ET (FS-D HD / WXYT 97.1 FM & 1270 AM)

STARTING LINEUPS:

Detroit
Jackson, A, CF
Ordonez, RF
Young, D, LF
Cabrera, Mi, 1B
Martinez, V, DH
Avila, C
Peralta, Jh, SS
Santiago, 2B
Inge, 3B

Minnesota
Revere, CF
Plouffe, SS
Morneau, 1B
Kubel, DH
Valencia, 3B
Tosoni, LF
Hughes, L, 2B
Repko, RF
Rivera, R, C

DET - Top 1st
B:4 S:2 O:0
Austin Jackson walks.

B:0 S:1 O:0
Magglio Ordonez singles on a line drive to center fielder Ben Revere. Austin Jackson to 2nd.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Delmon Young grounds into double play, shortstop Trevor Plouffe to second baseman Luke Hughes to first baseman Justin Morneau. Austin Jackson to 3rd. Magglio Ordonez out at 2nd.

B:3 S:3 O:3
Miguel Cabrera out swinging.

MIN - Bot 1st
B:0 S:1 O:1
Ben Revere flies out to left fielder Delmon Young.

B:1 S:2 O:1
Trevor Plouffe singles on a sharp ground ball to left fielder Delmon Young.

With Justin Morneau batting, wild pitch by Brad Penny, Trevor Plouffe to 2nd.

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

B:0 S:1 O:2
Jason Kubel homers (10) on a fly ball to right center field. Trevor Plouffe scores.
MIN 2 - 0

B:2 S:1 O:3
Danny Valencia grounds out, third baseman Brandon Inge to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

MIN 2 - 0 AFTER 1 INNING

DET - Top 2nd
B:0 S:2 O:0
Victor Martinez singles on a line drive to left fielder Rene Tosoni.

B:3 S:2 O:0
Alex Avila doubles (26) on a ground ball to right fielder Jason Repko. Victor Martinez to 3rd.

B:2 S:3 O:1
Jhonny Peralta called out on .

B:0 S:0 O:1
Ramon Santiago singles on a line drive to left fielder Rene Tosoni. Victor Martinez scores. Alex Avila scores.
TIED 2 - 2

B:1 S:1 O:3
Brandon Inge grounds into double play, shortstop Trevor Plouffe to second baseman Luke Hughes to first baseman Justin Morneau. Ramon Santiago out at 2nd.

MIN - Bot 2nd
B:1 S:2 O:1
Rene Tosoni grounds out softly, pitcher Brad Penny to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:1 S:0 O:2
Luke Hughes grounds out, third baseman Brandon Inge to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:0 S:3 O:3
Jason Repko called out on .

TIED 2 - 2 AFTER 2 INNINGS

DET - Top 3rd
B:2 S:1 O:1
Austin Jackson flies out to right fielder Jason Repko.

B:1 S:2 O:2
Magglio Ordonez grounds out, shortstop Trevor Plouffe to first baseman Justin Morneau.

B:3 S:1 O:3
Delmon Young flies out to center fielder Ben Revere.

MIN - Bot 3rd
B:1 S:3 O:1
Rene Rivera out swinging.

B:4 S:2 O:1
Ben Revere walks.

With Trevor Plouffe batting, Ben Revere steals (25) 2nd base.

B:3 S:3 O:2
Trevor Plouffe out swinging, catcher Alex Avila to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:3 S:2 O:2
Justin Morneau singles on a line drive to left fielder Delmon Young. Ben Revere scores.
MIN 3 - 2

B:1 S:2 O:3
Jason Kubel grounds into a force out, second baseman Ramon Santiago to shortstop Jhonny Peralta. Justin Morneau out at 2nd.

MIN 3 - 2 AFTER 3 INNINGS

DET - Top 4th
B:4 S:1 O:0
Miguel Cabrera walks.

B:0 S:2 O:2
Victor Martinez grounds into double play, first baseman Justin Morneau to shortstop Trevor Plouffe to first baseman Justin Morneau. Miguel Cabrera out at 2nd.

B:2 S:3 O:3
Alex Avila called out on .

MIN - Bot 4th
B:3 S:1 O:0
Danny Valencia singles on a fly ball to right fielder Magglio Ordonez.

B:2 S:1 O:0
Rene Tosoni triples (1) on a fly ball to center fielder Austin Jackson. Danny Valencia scores.
MIN 4 - 2

B:0 S:1 O:0
Luke Hughes homers (5) on a fly ball to left center field. Rene Tosoni scores.
MIN 6 - 2

B:0 S:1 O:1
Jason Repko grounds out, third baseman Brandon Inge to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:1 S:3 O:2
Rene Rivera out swinging.

B:3 S:2 O:2
Ben Revere singles on a fly ball to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:2 S:2 O:3
Trevor Plouffe grounds out, second baseman Ramon Santiago to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.


MIN 6 - 2 AFTER 4 INNINGS

DET - Top 5th
B:4 S:0 O:0
Jhonny Peralta walks.

B:1 S:1 O:0
Ramon Santiago singles on a ground ball to left fielder Rene Tosoni. Jhonny Peralta to 2nd.

B:0 S:2 O:1
Brandon Inge flies out to left fielder Rene Tosoni.

B:1 S:3 O:2
Austin Jackson out swinging.

B:1 S:0 O:3
Magglio Ordonez flies out to right fielder Jason Repko.

MIN - Bot 5th
B:1 S:2 O:0
Justin Morneau singles on a line drive to left fielder Delmon Young.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Jason Kubel flies into double play, center fielder Austin Jackson to shortstop Jhonny Peralta. Justin Morneau out at 2nd on the throw.

B:1 S:0 O:3
Danny Valencia grounds out, third baseman Brandon Inge to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

MIN 6 - 2 AFTER 5 INNINGS

DET - Top 6th
B:0 S:1 O:0
Delmon Young singles on a line drive to right fielder Jason Repko.

B:0 S:0 O:0
Miguel Cabrera doubles (34) on a line drive to left fielder Rene Tosoni. Delmon Young to 3rd.

B:3 S:2 O:1
Victor Martinez out on a sacrifice fly to left fielder Rene Tosoni. Delmon Young scores. Miguel Cabrera advances to 3rd, on throwing error by left fielder Rene Tosoni.
MIN 6 - 3

B:0 S:0 O:2
Alex Avila grounds out, second baseman Luke Hughes to first baseman Justin Morneau. Miguel Cabrera scores.
MIN 6 - 4

B:1 S:1 O:3
Jhonny Peralta grounds out, shortstop Trevor Plouffe to first baseman Justin Morneau.

MIN - Bot 6th
B:4 S:1 O:0
Rene Tosoni walks.
Pitcher Change: David Pauley replaces Brad Penny.

Coaching visit to mound.

B:3 S:2 O:1
Luke Hughes flies out to right fielder Magglio Ordonez.

B:1 S:1 O:1
Jason Repko singles on a pop up to first baseman Miguel Cabrera. Rene Tosoni to 3rd.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Rene Rivera out on a sacrifice fly to right fielder Magglio Ordonez. Rene Tosoni scores.
MIN 7 - 4

With Ben Revere batting, Jason Repko steals (7) 2nd base.

B:2 S:3 O:3
Ben Revere called out on .
4 7
MIN 7 - 4 AFTER 6 INNINGS

DET - Top 7th
Pitcher Change: Alex Burnett replaces Brian Duensing.

B:2 S:2 O:0
Ramon Santiago singles on a fly ball to left fielder Rene Tosoni.
Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Wilson Betemit replaces Brandon Inge.

B:2 S:1 O:2
Wilson Betemit grounds into double play, shortstop Trevor Plouffe to second baseman Luke Hughes to first baseman Justin Morneau. Ramon Santiago out at 2nd.

B:0 S:2 O:2
Austin Jackson hit by pitch.

B:1 S:0 O:3
Magglio Ordonez grounds into a force out, shortstop Trevor Plouffe to second baseman Luke Hughes. Austin Jackson out at 2nd.

MIN - Bot 7th
Wilson Betemit remains in the game as the third baseman.

B:2 S:2 O:0
Trevor Plouffe singles on a line drive to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:0 S:1 O:0
Justin Morneau singles on a line drive to right fielder Magglio Ordonez. Trevor Plouffe to 3rd.

B:0 S:0 O:1
Jason Kubel grounds out, second baseman Ramon Santiago to first baseman Miguel Cabrera. Trevor Plouffe scores. Justin Morneau to 2nd.
MIN 8 - 4

B:4 S:0 O:1
Danny Valencia walks.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Rene Tosoni flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson. Justin Morneau to 3rd.

B:1 S:0 O:2
Luke Hughes homers (6) on a fly ball to left field. Justin Morneau scores. Danny Valencia scores.
MIN 11 - 4

B:0 S:2 O:3
Jason Repko grounds out, third baseman Wilson Betemit to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

MIN 11 - 4 AFTER 7 INNINGS

DET - Top 8th
Pitcher Change: Glen Perkins replaces Alex Burnett.

B:0 S:1 O:1
Delmon Young flies out to left fielder Rene Tosoni.

B:0 S:2 O:2
Miguel Cabrera grounds out, second baseman Luke Hughes to first baseman Justin Morneau.

B:3 S:1 O:2
Victor Martinez singles on a line drive to left fielder Rene Tosoni.

B:2 S:3 O:3
Alex Avila out swinging.

MIN - Bot 8th
Defensive Substitution: Don Kelly replaces first baseman Miguel Cabrera, batting 4th, playing first base.

Pitcher Change: Duane Below replaces David Pauley.

B:0 S:1 O:1
Rene Rivera grounds out, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Don Kelly.

B:1 S:0 O:2
Ben Revere grounds out, second baseman Ramon Santiago to first baseman Don Kelly.

B:2 S:3 O:3
Trevor Plouffe out swinging.

MIN 11 - 4 AFTER 8 INNINGS

DET - Top 9th
Pitcher Change: Jose Mijares replaces Glen Perkins.

B:0 S:0 O:0
Jhonny Peralta singles on a fly ball to right fielder Jason Repko.

B:1 S:2 O:0
Ramon Santiago singles on a ground ball to third baseman Danny Valencia. Jhonny Peralta to 2nd.

B:2 S:3 O:1
Wilson Betemit out swinging.

B:0 S:2 O:3
Austin Jackson lines into unassisted double play, first baseman Justin Morneau. Ramon Santiago doubled off 1st.