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

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.


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 notes

On television

•

On radio

• ,
• 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

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 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

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 swinging.

MIN 2, DET 0 after 1.5 innings

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 .


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

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

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

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

B:1 S:3 O:2 -
Austin Jackson called out on .

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.


B:1 S:0 O:2 -
Jason Kubel doubles (3) on a fly ball to center fielder Austin Jackson. Orlando Hudson scores.

MIN 3, DET 1




B:3 S:2 O:3 -
Michael Cuddyer grounds out, second baseman Scott Sizemore to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

MIN 3, DET 1 after 3 innings

Inning 4
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Magglio Ordonez grounds out, third baseman Nick Punto to first baseman Justin Morneau.


B:0 S:1 O:1 -
Miguel Cabrera homers (6) on a line drive to left field.

MIN 3, DET 2

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Brennan Boesch singles on a ground ball to left fielder Delmon Young.

B:1 S:0 O:2 -
Don Kelly pops out to shortstop Alexi Casilla.

B:2 S:1 O:3 -
Alex Avila flies out to center fielder Denard Span.

MIN 3, DET 2 after 3.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Defensive Substitution: Ryan Raburn replaces left fielder Johnny Damon, batting 2nd, playing left field.


B:0 S:1 O:1 -
Delmon Young grounds out, second baseman Scott Sizemore to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:0 S:3 O:2 -
Wilson Ramos swinging.

B:4 S:1 O:2 -
Alexi Casilla walks.


B:1 S:1 O:2 -
Nick Punto reaches on fielding error by right fielder Brennan Boesch. Alexi Casilla scores. Nick Punto to 3rd.

MIN 4, DET 2






B:0 S:0 O:2 - Denard Span singles on a sharp ground
ball to left fielder Ryan Raburn, deflected by shortstop Ramon
Santiago. Nick Punto scores.

MIN 5, DET 2




B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Coaching visit to mound.


B:1 S:0 O:2 -
With Orlando Hudson batting, Denard Span steals (7) 2nd base.


B:1 S:0 O:2 -
Orlando Hudson hit by pitch.


B:4 S:2 O:2 -
Justin Morneau walks. Denard Span to 3rd. Orlando Hudson to 2nd.

B:0 S:1 O:3 -
Jason Kubel pops out to shortstop Ramon Santiago.

MIN 5, DET 2 after 4 innings

Inning 5
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Detroit Tigers left fielder Johnny Damon left the game due to an injured leg.


B:3 S:2 O:1 -
Scott Sizemore flies out to left fielder Delmon Young.


B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Ramon Santiago grounds out, first baseman Justin Morneau to pitcher Kevin Slowey.


B:2 S:0 O:2 -
Austin Jackson singles on a line drive to center fielder Denard Span.

B:0 S:0 O:3 -
Ryan Raburn pops out to second baseman Orlando Hudson.

MIN 5, DET 2 after 4.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:3 S:2 O:1 -
Michael Cuddyer flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.


B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Delmon Young grounds out, third baseman Don Kelly to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.


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

MIN 5, DET 2 after 5 innings

Inning 6
Top Half

B:1 S:2 O:1 -
Magglio Ordonez lines out to right fielder Michael Cuddyer.


B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Miguel Cabrera homers (7) on a fly ball to right center field.

MIN 5, DET 3




B:1 S:1 O:1 -
Brennan Boesch singles on a ground ball to shortstop Alexi Casilla.


B:1 S:3 O:2 -
Don Kelly called out on .


B:4 S:2 O:2 -
Alex Avila walks. Brennan Boesch to 2nd.


B:4 S:2 O:2 -
Coaching visit to mound.


B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Pitcher Change: Jesse Crain replaces Kevin Slowey.


B:1 S:3 O:3 -
Scott Sizemore swinging.



Bottom Half

B:0 S:1 O:1 -
Alexi Casilla flies out to left fielder Ryan Raburn.


B:2 S:1 O:1 -
Nick Punto singles on a line drive to left fielder Ryan Raburn.


B:2 S:1 O:1 -
Coaching visit to mound.


B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Pitcher Change: Fu-Te Ni replaces Rick Porcello.


B:1 S:0 O:1 -
Denard Span singles on a line drive to left fielder Ryan Raburn. Nick Punto to 3rd. Denard Span to 2nd on the throw.


B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Orlando Hudson pops out to first baseman Miguel Cabrera in foul territory.


B:4 S:0 O:2 -
Fu-Te Ni intentionally walks Justin Morneau.


B:2 S:3 O:3 -
Jason Kubel swinging.

MIN 5, DET 3 after 6 innings

Inning 7
Top Half

B:1 S:1 O:1 -
Ramon Santiago bunt grounds out, pitcher Jesse Crain to first baseman Justin Morneau.


B:2 S:1 O:2 -
Austin Jackson flies out to center fielder Denard Span.


B:0 S:2 O:3 -
Ryan Raburn flies out to left fielder Delmon Young.


Bottom Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Eddie Bonine replaces Fu-Te Ni.


B:1 S:2 O:1 -
Michael Cuddyer pops out to first baseman Miguel Cabrera in foul territory.


B:1 S:2 O:2 -
Delmon Young flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.


B:3 S:2 O:3 -
Wilson Ramos flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.

MIN 5, DET 3 after 7 innings

Inning 8
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Matt Guerrier replaces Jesse Crain.


B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Magglio Ordonez flies out to right fielder Michael Cuddyer.


B:4 S:2 O:1 -
Miguel Cabrera walks.


B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Coaching visit to mound.


B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Pitcher Change: Brian Duensing replaces Matt Guerrier.


B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Brandon Inge replaces Brennan Boesch.


B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Brandon Inge flies out to center fielder Denard Span.


B:0 S:0 O:3 -
Don Kelly pops out to third baseman Nick Punto.



Bottom Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Defensive switch from left field to right field for Ryan Raburn.


B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Brandon Inge remains in the game as the third baseman.


B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Defensive switch from third base to left field for Don Kelly.


B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Alexi Casilla singles on a bunt ground ball to catcher Alex Avila.


B:1 S:1 O:1 -
Nick Punto grounds out, second baseman Scott Sizemore to first baseman Miguel Cabrera. Alexi Casilla to 2nd.


B:1 S:1 O:1 -
Coaching visit to mound.


B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Pitcher Change: Phil Coke replaces Eddie Bonine.


B:0 S:3 O:2 -
Denard Span swinging.


B:0 S:2 O:3 -
Orlando Hudson flies out to right fielder Ryan Raburn.

MIN 5, DET 3 after 8 innings

Inning 9
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Jon Rauch replaces Brian Duensing.


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

MIN 5, DET 4




B:3 S:3 O:1 -
Scott Sizemore swinging.


B:1 S:1 O:2 -
Ramon Santiago grounds out to first baseman Justin Morneau.


B:0 S:1 O:3 -
Austin Jackson lines out to first baseman Justin Morneau.

MIN 5, DET 4 final score