GDT47: 5/25/13 - DET (27-19) VS MIN (18-27) - 4:08 p.m. ET

Tigers: RHP Doug Fister (5-1, 3.62 ERA)

Fister gave up five runs on nine hits, both tied for season highs, in just 4 2/3 innings of a no-decision to the Rangers on Sunday. After going 4-0 with a 2.38 ERA in April, he's 1-1 with a 5.66 ERA in May.



Twins: RHP P.J. Walters (0-0, -.-- ERA)

Walters will make his season debut on Saturday vs. the Tigers, as he'll be officially be recalled from Triple-A before the game. The righty fared well in nine starts with Rochester, posting a 3.31 ERA with 46 strikeouts and 16 walks in 54 1/3 frames.







Walters aims to get Twins back on track vs. Tigers
Right-hander rejoins Minnesota in season debut against Detroit's Fister

By Steven Petrella / MLB.com | 5/24/2013 10:59 PM ET


The Twins didn't fare well on offense or from the mound in the season debut of starter Samuel Deduno on Friday night.

Anibal Sanchez lost his no-hit bid to a Joe Mauer single in the ninth, and the Tigers racked up 11 hits and six runs.

But Minnesota will be hoping Saturday's starter, also taking the hill for them for the first time this year, won't fall victim to that same fate.

P.J. Walters will get the ball for the Twins against the Tigers on Saturday at Comerica Park, taking on the Tigers' Doug Fister as Detroit aims to secure the series win.

Walters started nine games with Triple-A Rochester, posting a 3.31 ERA with 46 strikeouts and 16 walks in 54 1/3 innings. He'll try to best a red-hot Tigers offense, which leads the American League in batting average and runs scored.

Miguel Cabrera had homered in four straight games before Friday night, and went 1-for-4 with two RBIs off Deduno and company.

"[Cabrera] doesn't throw any at-bats away anymore, and I'm proud of him for that," Tigers manager Jim Leyland said Tuesday. "Because we talked about that a couple years ago. He's a hard guy to get out. No matter when he's up there, no matter what the situation is, he's a tough guy to get out. When he grinds that at-bat out, it's something to see."

Twins: Minnesota keeps slumping
• The Twins have lost 10 games in a row, their longest losing streak since September 2011. They've gone 0-5 to open a nine-game road trip.

"It just seems like we played really well and just had a lot of bad breaks," pitcher Scott Diamond said Thursday. "But good teams have to come back and fight. And we're still showing fight, so as deflating as it is right now, I guarantee you we'll keep fighting tomorrow."

• The Twins bullpen allowed four runs on Thursday, the first runs it surrendered to the Tigers in 15 2/3 innings. Minnesota's relievers were solid Friday, however, throwing 2 2/3 innings and being charged with two hits and no earned runs while striking out four.

Tigers: Detroit bats stay hot
• Miguel Cabrera has at least two RBIs in each of his last five games. If he has a multi-RBI game Saturday, he will tie a Tigers record that dates back to 1940.

"The numbers are unbelievable. The hardest part about that lineup is they have so many great hitters," Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said. "Fielder is an MVP guy himself. So it's kind of like flip a coin. You tell yourself not to let Miggy beat you, but then the next guy will."

• The Tigers are 48-18 at Comerica Park since July 4, 2012, the best mark in the baseball in that stretch.

Worth noting
• Fister is 3-6 in his career against the Twins, but owns a 3.13 ERA. He has struck out 49 and walked 10 in 60 1/3 innings.

• Cabrera has 27 career home runs against Minnesota, his second most against a single team. He's hitting .324 lifetime against the Twins.

• Justin Morneau has reached base safely in 14 of his last 16 games at Comerica Park.

Steven Petrella is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.






INJURY UPDATE:


• RHP Octavio Dotel (Right elbow inflammation, 15-day DL retroactive to April 20, 2013).

• OF Austin Jackson (pulled right hamstring, 15-day DL retroactive to May 12, 2013).







To track MLB play-by-play: http://m.mlb.com/scores/


On the Internet

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• SCOREBOARD
• Official Press Pass game notes


On television

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• Direct TV Extra Innings Schedule


On radio

• AND/OR
• XM Channel Schedule









• SUN, May 26:
TIGERS: (RHP Max Scherzer (6-0, 3.61 ERA)) VS
TWINS: (RHP Mike Pelfrey (3-4, 6.69 ERA))
1:08 p.m. ET (FS-D / FM 97.1)


• MON, May 27:
TIGERS: (RHP Justin Verlander (5-4, 3.66 ERA)) VS
PIRATES: (LHP Francisco Liriano (3-0, 1.00 ERA))
1:08 p.m. ET (FS-D, MLBN / FM 97.1)


• TUE, May 28:
TIGERS: (RHP Rick Porcello (2-2, 6.28 ERA)) VS
PIRATES: (RHP Jeanmar Gomez (2-0, 2.75 ERA))
7:08 p.m. ET (FS-D / FM 97.1)

STARTING LINEUPS:

Minnesota Twins:
1. 2B: Jamey Carroll
2. C: Joe Mauer
3. LF: Josh Willingham
4. 1B: Justin Morneau
5. DH: Chris Colabello
6. RF: Chris Parmelee
7. CF: Wilkin Ramirez
8. 3B: Eduardo Escobar
9. SS: Pedro Florimon
SP: P.J. Walters


Detroit Tigers:
1. LF: Andy Dirks
2. RF: Torii Hunter
3. 3B: Miguel Cabrera
4. 1B: Prince Fielder
5. DH: Victor Martinez
6. SS: Jhonny Peralta
7. C: Brayan Pena
8. 2B: Omar Infante
9. CF: Don Kelly
SP: Doug Fister

Tigers to honor '68 World Series champions Saturday

By Jason Beck / MLB.com | 5/24/2013 7:35 P.M. ET

DETROIT -- The Tigers are encouraging fans attending Saturday's game against the Twins to find their seats early so that everyone can watch a pregame ceremony honoring the 45th anniversary of the 1968 World Series championship team.

More than a dozen players and coaches from that squad are scheduled to take part, including Hall of Fame Al Kaline, Denny McLain, Mickey Lolich, Gates Brown, Jim Price, Mickey Stanley, John Hiller, Jon Warden, Don Wert, Daryl Patterson, Wayne Comer, Tom Matchick and Hal Naragon. Radio broadcaster Ray Lane is also slated to take part.

Jose Feliciano, famous for his performance of the National Anthem before Game 5 of the 1968 World Series, will perform the anthem again prior to Saturday's game.

The ceremony includes a special tribute video on the Comerica Park scoreboard created specifically for the occasion.

MIN - Top 1st
B:0 S:1 O:1
Jamey Carroll grounds out, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Prince Fielder.

B:1 S:2 O:1
Play reviewed and stands as called: Joe Mauer homers (3) on a line drive to right field.
MIN 1 - 0

B:4 S:2 O:1
Josh Willingham walks.

B:0 S:2 O:1
Justin Morneau doubles (13) on a line drive to center fielder Don Kelly. Josh Willingham scores.
MIN 2 - 0

B:2 S:3 O:2
Chris Colabello strikes out swinging.

B:1 S:2 O:2
Chris Parmelee singles on a ground ball to center fielder Don Kelly. Justin Morneau scores.
MIN 3 - 0

B:0 S:1 O:3
Wilkin Ramirez grounds into a force out, third baseman Miguel Cabrera to second baseman Omar Infante. Chris Parmelee out at 2nd.


DET - Bot 1st
B:1 S:1 O:1
Andy Dirks pops out to second baseman Jamey Carroll.

B:0 S:3 O:2
Torii Hunter strikes out on a foul tip.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Miguel Cabrera singles on a line drive to left fielder Josh Willingham.

B:1 S:1 O:3
Prince Fielder pops out to shortstop Pedro Florimon.

MIN 3 - 0 AFTER 1 INNING

MIN - Top 2nd
B:0 S:0 O:1
Eduardo Escobar grounds out, second baseman Omar Infante to first baseman Prince Fielder.

B:3 S:3 O:2
Pedro Florimon strikes out on a foul tip.

B:0 S:1 O:3
Jamey Carroll flies out to right fielder Torii Hunter.


DET - Bot 2nd
B:0 S:0 O:0
Victor Martinez singles on a ground ball to right fielder Chris Parmelee.

B:1 S:2 O:2
Jhonny Peralta grounds into a double play, second baseman Jamey Carroll to shortstop Pedro Florimon to first baseman Justin Morneau. Victor Martinez out at 2nd.

B:1 S:2 O:2
Brayan Pena singles on a line drive to center fielder Wilkin Ramirez.

B:2 S:1 O:2
Omar Infante doubles (7) on a line drive to left fielder Josh Willingham. Brayan Pena to 3rd.

B:4 S:1 O:2
Don Kelly walks.

Coaching visit to mound.

B:0 S:3 O:3
Andy Dirks strikes out swinging.

MIN 3 - 0 AFTER 2 INNINGS

MIN - Top 3rd
B:0 S:2 O:0
Joe Mauer singles on a ground ball to center fielder Don Kelly.

B:2 S:0 O:0
Josh Willingham singles on a line drive to right fielder Torii Hunter. Joe Mauer to 2nd.

B:1 S:0 O:2
Justin Morneau grounds into a double play, first baseman Prince Fielder to shortstop Jhonny Peralta to pitcher Doug Fister. Josh Willingham out at 2nd.

On-field Delay.

Minnesota Twins Manager Ron Gardenhire ejected by 2B umpire Joe West.

B:2 S:1 O:3
Chris Colabello grounds out, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Prince Fielder.


DET - Bot 3rd
B:0 S:1 O:1
Torii Hunter grounds out, third baseman Eduardo Escobar to first baseman Justin Morneau.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Miguel Cabrera grounds out, third baseman Eduardo Escobar to first baseman Justin Morneau.

B:1 S:0 O:3
Prince Fielder flies out to center fielder Wilkin Ramirez.

MIN 3 - 0 AFTER 3 INNINGS

MIN - Top 4th
B:3 S:2 O:1
Chris Parmelee lines out to left fielder Andy Dirks.

B:0 S:0 O:1
Wilkin Ramirez hit by pitch.

B:2 S:3 O:2
Eduardo Escobar strikes out swinging.

B:1 S:3 O:3
Pedro Florimon called out on strikes.


DET - Bot 4th
B:1 S:2 O:1
Victor Martinez grounds out to first baseman Justin Morneau.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Jhonny Peralta grounds out, third baseman Eduardo Escobar to first baseman Justin Morneau.

B:1 S:2 O:3
Brayan Pena grounds out, second baseman Jamey Carroll to first baseman Justin Morneau.

MIN 3 - 0 AFTER 4 INNINGS

MIN - Top 5th
B:3 S:2 O:1
Jamey Carroll grounds out, pitcher Doug Fister to first baseman Prince Fielder.

B:0 S:1 O:1
Joe Mauer singles on a ground ball to right fielder Torii Hunter.

B:1 S:0 O:2
Josh Willingham pops out to second baseman Omar Infante.

B:0 S:0 O:3
Justin Morneau grounds out to first baseman Prince Fielder.


DET - Bot 5th
B:0 S:1 O:1
Omar Infante flies out to center fielder Wilkin Ramirez.

B:2 S:2 O:2
Don Kelly flies out to center fielder Wilkin Ramirez.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Andy Dirks singles on a soft line drive to center fielder Wilkin Ramirez.

B:0 S:1 O:2
Torii Hunter doubles (14) on a line drive to center fielder Wilkin Ramirez. Andy Dirks scores.
MIN 3 - 1

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

MIN 3 - 1 AFTER 5 INNINGS

MIN - Top 6th
B:3 S:2 O:0
Chris Colabello singles on a ground ball to center fielder Don Kelly.

B:1 S:2 O:2
Chris Parmelee grounds into a double play, second baseman Omar Infante to shortstop Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Prince Fielder. Chris Colabello out at 2nd.

B:0 S:3 O:3
Wilkin Ramirez strikes out swinging.


DET - Bot 6th
B:2 S:0 O:1
Prince Fielder flies out to center fielder Wilkin Ramirez.

B:1 S:0 O:2
Victor Martinez flies out to left fielder Josh Willingham.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Jhonny Peralta homers (5) on a line drive to right field.
MIN 3 - 2

B:1 S:0 O:2
Brayan Pena singles on a sharp line drive to right fielder Chris Parmelee.

Coaching visit to mound.

B:0 S:1 O:3
Omar Infante flies out to center fielder Wilkin Ramirez.

MIN 3 - 2 AFTER 6 INNINGS

MIN - Top 7th
Injury Delay - Wilkin Ramirez collides with teammate on last out of 6th inning.

B:3 S:2 O:1
Eduardo Escobar grounds out, second baseman Omar Infante to first baseman Prince Fielder.

B:2 S:3 O:2
Pedro Florimon strikes out swinging.

B:2 S:1 O:2
Jamey Carroll singles on a fly ball to right fielder Torii Hunter, deflected by center fielder Don Kelly.

B:1 S:3 O:3
Joe Mauer strikes out swinging, catcher Brayan Pena to first baseman Prince Fielder.


DET - Bot 7th
Defensive Substitution: Aaron Hicks replaces center fielder Wilkin Ramirez, batting 7th, playing center field.

Pitching Change: Brian Duensing replaces P. J. Walters.

Offensive Substitution: Pinch-hitter Avisail Garcia replaces Don Kelly.

B:0 S:2 O:1
Avisail Garcia pops out to second baseman Jamey Carroll.

B:1 S:3 O:2
Andy Dirks called out on strikes.

Coaching visit to mound.

Pitching Change: Josh Roenicke replaces Brian Duensing.

B:3 S:2 O:3
Torii Hunter lines out to left fielder Josh Willingham.

MIN 3 - 2 AFTER 7 INNINGS

MIN - Top 8th
Avisail Garcia remains in the game as the center fielder.

Pitching Change: Luke Putkonen replaces Doug Fister.

B:3 S:2 O:0
Josh Willingham singles on a ground ball to center fielder Avisail Garcia.

Coaching visit to mound.

Pitching Change: Phil Coke replaces Luke Putkonen.

B:0 S:2 O:1
Justin Morneau flies out to center fielder Avisail Garcia.

B:3 S:3 O:2
Chris Colabello strikes out swinging.

B:2 S:3 O:3
Chris Parmelee strikes out swinging.


DET - Bot 8th
Pitching Change: Jared Burton replaces Josh Roenicke.

B:2 S:2 O:1
Miguel Cabrera flies out to center fielder Aaron Hicks.

B:2 S:2 O:2
Prince Fielder grounds out, pitcher Jared Burton to first baseman Justin Morneau.

B:1 S:2 O:3
Victor Martinez grounds out, pitcher Jared Burton to first baseman Justin Morneau.

MIN 3 - 2 AFTER 8 INNINGS

MIN - Top 9th
Pitching Change: Jose Ortega replaces Phil Coke.

B:0 S:1 O:1
Aaron Hicks grounds out, second baseman Omar Infante to first baseman Prince Fielder.

B:2 S:1 O:2
Eduardo Escobar flies out to left fielder Andy Dirks.

B:4 S:2 O:2
Pedro Florimon walks.

With Jamey Carroll batting, throwing error by Jose Ortega on the pickoff attempt, Pedro Florimon to 3rd.

B:0 S:3 O:3
Jamey Carroll strikes out swinging.


DET - Bot 9th
Pitching Change: Glen Perkins replaces Jared Burton.

B:2 S:1 O:1
Jhonny Peralta pops out to first baseman Justin Morneau in foul territory.

B:0 S:2 O:1
Brayan Pena singles on a ground ball to third baseman Eduardo Escobar.

B:0 S:1 O:2
Omar Infante flies out to right fielder Chris Parmelee.

B:0 S:3 O:3
Avisail Garcia called out on strikes.


TIGERS LOSE 2-3

CLICK HERE FOR BOX SCORE


W: Walters, P
L: Fister
S: Perkins (9)


Game Info

Putkonen pitched to 1 batter in the 8th.

HBP: Ramirez, W (by Fister).
Pitches-strikes:
Walters, P 80-55, Duensing 7-6, Roenicke 6-3, Burton 16-11, Perkins
13-11, Fister 116-77, Putkonen 7-4, Coke 15-10, Ortega, J 16-10.
Groundouts-flyouts: Walters, P 6-6, Duensing 0-0, Roenicke 0-0, Burton 2-1, Perkins 0-1, Fister 9-1, Putkonen 0-0, Coke 0-1, Ortega, J 1-1.
Batters faced: Walters, P 26, Duensing 2, Roenicke 1, Burton 3, Perkins 4, Fister 29, Putkonen 1, Coke 3, Ortega, J 4.
Inherited runners-scored: Coke 1-0.
Ejections: Minnesota Twins Manager Ron Gardenhire ejected by 2B umpire Joe West (3rd)
Umpires: HP: Andy Fletcher. 1B: Clint Fagan. 2B: Joe West. 3B: Sam Holbrook.
Weather: 63 degrees, sunny.
Wind: 6 mph, Varies.
T: 2:45.
Att: 41,927.

Game 47: The catching mix
BECK'S BLOG
Posted on May 26, 2013 at 1:27 am

The Tigers signed Brayan Pena to ease some of the wear and tear on Alex Avila and give Detroit a viable right-handed hitter against left-handed pitchers.

On Saturday, the switch-hitting Pena started against a right-handed starter for the second time in four days. Add in his start against Minnesota lefty Scott Diamond on Thursday, and Pena has started three of Detroit’s last four games.

Against the two right-handers, he had two three-hit games.

It’s at the point where, for now, the mix of starts Jim Leyland talked about doing with Pena and slumping Alex Avila seems to be reality.

“I’ll catch Alex tomorrow,” Leyland said. “I’m trying to have a little bit of one [day] on, one [day] off just to see if we can get him going a little bit.”

The Tigers face right-hander Mike Pelfrey on Sunday. Avila is 2-for-5 against him. By comparison, he’s 0-for-8 with two walks and a strikeout against P.J. Walters, who started and won for Minnesota on Saturday.

Pena, Leyland said, “has done a very good job settling in the backup role.”

In other words, don’t expect a switch from Pena to starter and Avila to backup. Any change would more likely be in a timeshare like the Tigers have going right now. The goal of the timeshare so far, though, has been to try to get Avila out of his nearly season-long slump by reducing the wear and tear.

Will it work? Leyland tried it in 2008 when Ivan Rodriguez was slumping. When it began, Pudge was batting .245 in early June. By mid-July, Rodriguez had raised his average to .295. Of course, the Tigers traded him at the deadline later that month, when it was clear he was unhappy with playing time.

It would not be a surprise at all if the timeshare continued for a while. Remember, Leyland mixed Avila and Gerald Laird behind the plate for a good chunk of the summer. If Avila gets going and Pena is still hitting, it’s easier to do.

The thing to keep in mind isn’t just Avila, but Pena and his workload. The years when Pena has had the most playing time are the years when he has had lesser production. The years when Pena caught 60-65 games were his best seasons.