GDT: 6/30/10 - DET (41-35) AT MIN (42-35) - 1:10 p.m. ET

Tigers aim to take back AL Central lead

By Tom Singer / MLB.com

Left in ruins twice in recent years by Minnesota, the Tigers this time still hope to leave Minnesota in first place.

Wednesday afternoon's finale will wrap up what Detroit wants to turn into the Payback Series. The Tigers' brief stay atop the American League Central ended with Tuesday night's lopsided loss to the Twins.

It is a situation all too familiar to the Tigers, who had AL Central titles wrenched from them with last-day losses to the Twins in 2006 and 2009.

A big difference now of course is that there is ample time for a rebuttal, starting with the final game of June.

Rookie lefty Andy Oliver, in his second Major League start, goes for the Tigers against Kevin Slowey, who will be delighted to again face an AL club. In three starts since his last win on June 8, Slowey has been raked for 22 hits and 18 runs in 12 1/3 innings by National League East teams.

Rather than a fond farewell to the sixth month, the Twins will send it off with a "good riddance." Even with Tuesday's win, they are 11-15 this month, doomed to their first losing June since 2003, when they went 12-15.

Only a fraction of the Twins' month-opening 4 1/2-game division lead remains. For that matter, they still had that 4 1/2-game edge entering Interleague Play, in which they went 6-9.

Oliver, a second-round pick in the 2009 First-Year Player Draft, culminated his fast rise in style last Friday, holding the Braves to two runs in six innings of a tough 3-1 loss in Atlanta.

"I was more nervous warming up and stuff," Oliver recalled of the big day, "but when the game started, I actually surprised myself. I was still a little nervous, but I was able to handle it well."

His encore start has a sidebar: Oliver, an Ohio native, was originally drafted by the Twins, in the 17th round in 2006; rather than sign at the time, he enrolled in Oklahoma State University.

Tigers: Welcome back, Magglio
Magglio Ordonez was back in the lineup Tuesday after missing two games with the same left-side soreness that had benched him earlier in June, but wore an 0-for-3 collar. ... Since Oliver's debut had come in a NL park, he became the sixth Tigers rookie this season to have his first big league at-bat, following Brennan Boesch, Austin Jackson, Danny Worth, Casper Wells and Scott Sizemore.

Twins: Thome one shy of Killebrew
This is Jim Thome's first season in Minnesota, but with this next homer he will tie one of the Twins' all-time icons, Harmon Killebrew, for 10th place on the career list with 573 home runs; Killebrew's first 559 homers came with the Twins, before 14 for the Royals in his final season. ... Shortstop J.J. Hardy is expected to begin a brief rehab assignment with Class A Beloit on Wednesday. The Twins hope to activate him during the four-game series against Tampa Bay that begins Thursday. ... Minnesota's last losing record in any month came in May 2009, when the Twins went 14-16.

Worth noting
Denard Span is a lifetime .403 hitter against the Tigers following his fourth four-hit game against them on Tuesday, which included his MLB record-tying three triples. Span's 39 career games against Detroit have also spawned a pair of five-hit performances.



Pitching matchup

TIGERS: LHP Andy Oliver (0-1, 3.00 ERA)
Oliver made a solid first impression with his poise Friday against the Braves but lost a pitchers' duel in his big league debut despite two runs on five hits over six innings. His 95-97 mph fastball gives the Tigers their first power lefty since former first-round pick Andrew Miller.



TWINS: RHP Kevin Slowey (7-5, 4.79 ERA)
Like teammate Nick Blackburn, Slowey has been going through a rough stretch of late, going 0-2 with a 12.41 ERA over his past three starts. The right-hander said after his outing against the Mets that he needs to make better two-strike pitches and minimize the big innings.

From MLB Tigers Game Notes


INJURY UPDATE:
RHP Zach Miner(right elbow tendinitis, 60-day DL on March 26),
RHP Ryan Perry (right shoulder bicipital tendinitis, 15-day DL on June 7),
LHP Bobby Seay (left shoulder strain, 60-day DL on March 26),
RHP Joel Zumaya (injured right elbow, 15-day DL on June 29).


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Up next (Probable Pitchers)


• Thursday, July 1
OFF DAY

• Friday, July 2
TIGERS (RHP Max Scherzer (4-6, 5.26 ERA)) VS MARINERS (RHP Doug Fister (3-3, 2.81 ERA)), 7:05 p.m. ET (FS-D HD 1270 & 97.1)

• Saturday, July 3
TIGERS (RHP Justin Verlander (9-5, 4.02 ERA)) VS MARINERS (LHP Jason Vargas (6-3, 2.80 ERA)), 7:05 p.m. ET (FS-D HD 1270 & 97.1)

• Sunday, July 4
TIGERS (RHP Jeremy Bonderman (4-5, 4.36 ERA)) VS MARINERS (LHP Cliff Lee (6-3, 2.39 ERA)), 1:05 p.m. ET (FS-D HD 1270 & 97.1)

STARTING LINEUPS:

Tigers AVG
1. Jackson, A, CF .309
2. Damon, J, LF .272
3. Ordonez, M, DH .315
4. Cabrera, M, 1B .338
5. Boesch, B, RF .333
6. Guillen, C, 2B .287
7. Inge, B, 3B .255
8. Laird, G, C .192
9. Worth, D, 2B .273

Twins AVG
1. Span, D, CF .284
2. Hudson, O, 2B .287
3. Young, D, LF .293
4. Morneau, J, 1B .347
5. Kubel, J, RF .262
6. Cuddyer, M, 3B .259
7. Thome, J, DH .254
8. Punto, N, SS .257
9. Butera, D, C .186

Current Conditions

Target Field

Fair 71 F

Humidity: 42 %

Wind: from the SE at 10 mph

Barometer: 30.29 in

last updated: 6/30/10 11:05 AM CDT

Inning 1
Top Half

B:0 S:1 O:0 -
Austin Jackson singles on a soft fly ball to right fielder Jason Kubel.


B:2 S:2 O:1 -
Johnny Damon flies out to right fielder Jason Kubel.


B:2 S:2 O:3 - Magglio Ordonez grounds into double
play, third baseman Michael Cuddyer to second baseman Orlando Hudson to
first baseman Justin Morneau. Austin Jackson out at 2nd.

0-0 AFTER .5 INNING

Bottom Half

B:4 S:1 O:0 -
Denard Span walks.


B:0 S:2 O:2 - Orlando Hudson grounds into double play,
second baseman Carlos Guillen to first baseman Miguel Cabrera. Denard
Span out at 2nd.


B:3 S:3 O:3 -
Delmon Young called out on .

0-0 AFTER 1 INNING

Inning 2
Top Half

B:1 S:0 O:1 -
Miguel Cabrera flies out to right fielder Jason Kubel.


B:0 S:2 O:1 -
Brennan Boesch singles on a ground ball to third baseman Michael Cuddyer.


B:1 S:0 O:3 - Carlos Guillen grounds into double play,
first baseman Justin Morneau to shortstop Nick Punto to first baseman
Justin Morneau. Brennan Boesch out at 2nd.

0-0 AFTER 1.5 INNINGS

Bottom Half

B:1 S:3 O:1 -
Justin Morneau called out on .


B:2 S:2 O:2 -
Jason Kubel grounds out, second baseman Carlos Guillen to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.


B:2 S:0 O:2 -
Michael Cuddyer doubles (16) on a fly ball to right fielder Brennan Boesch.


B:2 S:2 O:2 -
With Jim Thome batting, wild pitch by Andrew Oliver, Michael Cuddyer to 3rd.


B:3 S:3 O:3 -
Jim Thome swinging.

0-0 AFTER 2 INNINGS

Inning 3
Top Half

B:2 S:1 O:1 -
Brandon Inge grounds out, first baseman Justin Morneau to pitcher Kevin Slowey.


B:1 S:2 O:2 -
Gerald Laird grounds out, shortstop Nick Punto to first baseman Justin Morneau.


B:1 S:3 O:3 -
Danny Worth swinging.

0-0 AFTER 2.5 INNINGS

Bottom Half

B:0 S:3 O:1 -
Nick Punto swinging.


B:3 S:2 O:2 -
Drew Butera flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.


B:0 S:1 O:3 -
Denard Span grounds out, second baseman Carlos Guillen to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

0-0 AFTER 3 INNINGS

Inning 4
Top Half

B:0 S:1 O:1 -
Austin Jackson flies out to left fielder Delmon Young.


B:0 S:3 O:2 -
Johnny Damon swinging.


B:2 S:2 O:2 -
Magglio Ordonez singles on a line drive to left fielder Delmon Young.


B:1 S:2 O:2 - Miguel Cabrera doubles (23) on a line
drive to left fielder Delmon Young. Magglio Ordonez scores. Miguel
Cabrera to 3rd on the throw.

DET 1, MIN 0




B:1 S:3 O:3 -
Brennan Boesch swinging.

DET 1, MIN 0 AFTER 3.5 INNINGS

Bottom Half

B:1 S:1 O:0 -
Orlando Hudson singles on a line drive to center fielder Austin Jackson.


B:2 S:0 O:1 -
Delmon Young flies out to right fielder Brennan Boesch.


B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Justin Morneau doubles (23) on a fly ball to center fielder Austin Jackson. Orlando Hudson scores.

DET 1, MIN 1




B:2 S:2 O:2 -
Jason Kubel flies out to left fielder Johnny Damon.


B:4 S:0 O:2 -
Andrew Oliver intentionally walks Michael Cuddyer.


B:1 S:0 O:2 -
With Jim Thome batting, passed ball by Gerald Laird, Justin Morneau to 3rd. Michael Cuddyer to 2nd.


B:1 S:0 O:2 -
Coaching visit to mound.


B:3 S:3 O:3 -
Jim Thome on foul tip.

DET 1, MIN 1 AFTER 4 INNINGS

Inning 5
Top Half

B:1 S:3 O:1 -
Carlos Guillen swinging.


B:4 S:2 O:1 -
Brandon Inge walks.


B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Gerald Laird flies out to center fielder Denard Span.


B:2 S:1 O:3 -
Danny Worth pops out to second baseman Orlando Hudson.

DET 1, MIN 1 AFTER 4.5 INNINGS

Bottom Half

B:2 S:1 O:0 -
Nick Punto singles on a ground ball to shortstop Danny Worth.


B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Drew Butera hits a sacrifice bunt. Throwing error by pitcher Andrew Oliver. Nick Punto to 2nd. Drew Butera to 1st.


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


B:0 S:1 O:1 - Denard Span out on a sacrifice bunt,
catcher Gerald Laird to second baseman Carlos Guillen. Nick Punto to
3rd. Drew Butera to 2nd.


B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Orlando Hudson out on a sacrifice fly to center fielder Austin Jackson. Nick Punto scores.

MIN 2, DET 1




B:0 S:0 O:3 - Delmon Young singles on a fly ball to
center fielder Austin Jackson. Drew Butera scores. Delmon Young out at
2nd on the throw, center fielder Austin Jackson to catcher Gerald Laird
to shortstop Danny Worth.

MIN 3, DET 1

MIN 3, DET 1 AFTER 5 INNINGS

Inning 6
Top Half

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

B:2 S:2 O:2 -
Johnny Damon lines out to shortstop Nick Punto.

B:1 S:1 O:3 -
Magglio Ordonez grounds out sharply, pitcher Kevin Slowey to first baseman Justin Morneau.


MIN 3, DET 1 AFTER 5.5 INNINGS

Bottom Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Justin Morneau homers (16) on a fly ball to right field.

MIN 4, DET 1




B:1 S:2 O:0 -
Jason Kubel doubles (13) on a fly ball to left fielder Johnny Damon.


B:0 S:0 O:0 - Michael Cuddyer singles on a fly ball to
left fielder Johnny Damon. Jason Kubel scores. Fielding error by left
fielder Johnny Damon.

MIN 5, DET 1




B:3 S:3 O:2 -
Jim Thome swinging and Michael Cuddyer caught stealing 2nd, catcher Gerald Laird to shortstop Danny Worth.


B:1 S:1 O:3 -
Nick Punto flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.

MIN 5, DET 1 AFTER 6 INNINGS

Inning 7
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Brian Duensing replaces Kevin Slowey.


B:0 S:2 O:1 -
Miguel Cabrera grounds out, second baseman Orlando Hudson to first baseman Justin Morneau.


B:0 S:2 O:2 -
Brennan Boesch pops out to first baseman Justin Morneau.


B:1 S:1 O:3 -
Carlos Guillen grounds out, pitcher Brian Duensing to first baseman Justin Morneau.

MIN 5, DET 1 AFTER 6.5 INNINGS

Bottom Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Casey Fien replaces Andrew Oliver.


B:2 S:2 O:1 -
Drew Butera flies out to left fielder Johnny Damon.


B:1 S:0 O:2 -
Denard Span grounds out, first baseman Miguel Cabrera to pitcher Casey Fien.


B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Minnesota Twins pitcher Kevin Slowey left the game due to an injured ankle.


B:2 S:1 O:3 -
Orlando Hudson grounds out, second baseman Carlos Guillen to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

MIN 5, DET 1 AFTER 7 INNINGS

Inning 8
Top Half

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


B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Brandon Inge flies out to left fielder Delmon Young.


B:1 S:1 O:1 -
Gerald Laird doubles (6) on a fly ball to center fielder Denard Span.


B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Ramon Santiago replaces Danny Worth.


B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Ramon Santiago singles on a soft line drive to left fielder Delmon Young. Gerald Laird to 3rd.


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


B:3 S:3 O:2 -
Coaching visit to mound.


B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Pitcher Change: Jose Mijares replaces Matt Guerrier.


B:2 S:2 O:3 -
Johnny Damon pops out to second baseman Orlando Hudson in foul territory.

MIN 5, DET 1 AFTER 7.5 INNINGS

Bottom Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Ramon Santiago remains in the game as the shortstop.


B:0 S:1 O:1 -
Delmon Young grounds out, third baseman Brandon Inge to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.


B:3 S:2 O:2 -
Justin Morneau grounds out, second baseman Carlos Guillen to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.


B:1 S:0 O:2 -
Jason Kubel singles on a fly ball to left fielder Johnny Damon.


B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Offensive Substitution: Pinch runner Matt Tolbert replaces Jason Kubel.


B:1 S:2 O:2 -
Injury Delay. (Laird nicked by foul ball)



B:2 S:2 O:3 -
Michael Cuddyer flies out to right fielder Brennan Boesch.


MIN 5, DET 1 AFTER 8 INNINGS

Inning 9
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Matt Tolbert remains in the game as the third baseman.


B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Defensive switch from third base to right field for Michael Cuddyer.


B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Jon Rauch replaces Jose Mijares.


B:1 S:1 O:1 -
Magglio Ordonez grounds out, third baseman Matt Tolbert to first baseman Justin Morneau.


B:2 S:2 O:1 -
Miguel Cabrera reaches on fielding error by third baseman Matt Tolbert.


B:1 S:1 O:2 -
Brennan Boesch pops out to second baseman Orlando Hudson.



B:3 S:2 O:2 -
Carlos Guillen singles on a ground ball to center fielder Denard Span. Miguel Cabrera to 3rd.


B:0 S:2 O:2 -
With Brandon Inge batting, Carlos Guillen advances to 2nd on defensive indifference.


B:1 S:3 O:3 -
Brandon Inge swinging.


MIN 5, DET 1 final box score > click here <