GDT: 8/15/11 - DET (64-56) VS MIN (52-67) - 7:05 p.m. ET ---
VS ---
Detroit Tigers VS Minnesota TwinsMonday, August 15, 2011
Comerica Park, Detroit, MI
Game Time - 7:05 p.m. EDT REMEMBERING SPARKYThe Tigers are wearing a patch on their right
sleeves this season in the shape of a home
plate emblazoned with the name SPARKY, to
honor Hall of Fame manager Sparky
Anderson who passed away on November 4,
2010. Anderson’s number 11 was retired
in a pre-game ceremony on June 26.
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Preview Tigers return home for AL Central clash with TwinsBy Evan Drellich / MLB.com | 8/14/2011 6:21 PM ET
A day after the American League Central-leading Tigers start a three game-series with the Twins at 7:05 p.m. ET on Monday, the White Sox and Indians begin their own three-game series on Tuesday.
It's not a prudent time for the Tigers to take the fourth-place Twins lightly.
Detroit leads the division by 2 1/2 games over Cleveland and four games over Chicago, and if the Tigers falter against the Twins, they're guaranteed to lose ground to one of the team's nipping at their heels.
The Tigers had won three in a row entering Sunday, but the Orioles salvaged the final game of a three-game set in Baltimore, 8-5. That was the end of a nine-game roadtrip for Detroit, and now it gets six in a row at home, with Cleveland coming to town next.
For the Twins, who have plenty of opportunities to play spoiler in the jam-packed divisional race, there's also continued anticipation for Jim Thome's 600th home run. Thome, who's two long balls away from one of the game's rarest milestones, last went deep on Aug. 4 in Anaheim.
"He's the true meaning of a competitor and a professional," Twins pitcher Brian Duensing said. "He has a routine he goes through every day; he never takes a day off. He always wants to be in the lineup, and if he's not in the lineup, he's there to root everyone on and teach young guys. He deserves everything that's coming to him. He's a great guy, a great human being and a good teammate."
Left-hander Francisco Liriano starts for Minnesota on Monday, coming off a start on Tuesday against Boston in which he was effectively wild.
He gave up a career-high seven walks, but held the AL's most potent offense to three runs on four hits in six innings. Liriano took a no-decision in the Twins' 4-3 loss.
Right-hander Rick Porcello goes for the Tigers after his six-game unbeaten streak came to an unsightly end Wednesday. The Indians won, 10-3, after Porcello allowed eight runs on 11 hits in 3 2/3 innings.
Twins: Injuries taking their toll• Second baseman Trevor Plouffe has been recalled from Triple-A Rochester, replacing Alexi Casilla (strained right hamstring), who's headed back to the disabled list.
"There's been a lot of bad luck. You can't make this up," said Minnesota outfielder Denard Span. "It's been one of those seasons where every time you look around, somebody is coming up lame or coming up with an injury."
Tigers: Tuesday return targeted for Boesch• If outfielder Brennan Boesch (sprained right thumb) does well in batting practice on Monday, he could return to action on Tuesday.
"He'll play if he's OK," said manager Jim Leyland. "But I can't swear to that either. He's always ready to go, which I really admire about him. I love him. He's a tough kid."
• Relievers Phil Coke and Jose Valverde were not available for Sunday's finale with the Orioles because both worked the first two games of the series.
• Carlos Guillen was placed on the 15-day disabled list Sunday because of a sore left wrist.
Worth noting• The Tigers' Alex Avila had his hit streak end at 10 games Sunday with an 0-for-2 performance. He walked twice, struck out twice and scored a run.
• The Twins have been swept nine times this season after being swept just four times in 2010.
Tigers: RHP Rick Porcello (11-7, 4.93 ERA)Porcello's six-game unbeaten streak came crashing down Wednesday with a sinker that wouldn't sink and secondary pitches he couldn't command. His eight runs allowed tied a career high, while his 11 hits tied a season high.
Twins: LHP Francisco Liriano (7-9, 5.00 ERA)Liriano was effectively wild on Tuesday, issuing a career-high seven walks, but holding Boston to three runs on four hits over six innings. He'll look to snap a streak of 10 straight outings with at least two free passes.
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Tiger's MLB Game Notes
Game InformationRESCHEDULED 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,
7-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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To track MLB play-by-play, to help post GDT outcomes: http://m.mlb.com/scores/On the Internet MLB.TV Gameday Audio•
Gameday•
Official Press Pass game notesOn television •
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Direct TV Extra Innings ScheduleOn radio•
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XM Channel Schedule______________________________________
Up next (Probable Pitchers) • Tuesday, August 16: Tigers (RHP
Justin Verlander (17-5, 2.35 ERA))
VS Twins (RHP
Nick Blackburn (7-9, 4.36 ERA)),
7:05 p.m. ET (FS-D HD / WXYT 97.1 FM & 1270 AM)