GDT: 7/10/10 - DET (47-37) VS MIN (45-41) - 4:10 p.m. ET

Tigers, Twins continue rivalry at Comerica Park

By Jocelyn Syrstad / MLB.com

For the past several years the rivalry in the AL Central has heightened, as the division championship is usually not decided until the final stretch of the season.

Take last season for example: Game 163.

Detroit and Minnesota are no strangers to this rivalry, as the two teams were the ones at the end of last season fighting it out for the crown. And this season seems to be playing out the same as the last.

"Obviously it's big with this team and the White Sox," said Tigers starter Justin Verlander, who earned his 11th win in Friday's 7-3 victory over the Twins. "It's shaping up to be another one of those years in the Central. Every game you can take against them is big. To be able to take game one is big for us."

Twins starter Francisco Liriano said his team is trying to win against everybody in the division, but especially the Tigers because they seem to be the team that's the biggest threat at this point in the season.

However, other members of the Detroit organization would have to disagree with the two pitchers, saying that opponents don't matter during regular season games because every win counts toward the final results.

"We take every game like it's a normal game," Tigers outfielder Magglio Ordonez said. "We're halfway through the season and we know we're in first place, and we all have to be focused and try to play hard and try to win every ballgame."

Detroit manager Jim Leyland agreed with his outfielder, saying that had Detroit won one more regular season game earlier on in the year, Game 163 would not have even taken place.

"It's a big deal to you, but it's not a big deal to me," Leyland said. "Every game is a big game. Let's not get into the big game stuff now. Every game at the Major League level is a big game. We all ought to know that from last year. We had a big game April 7, or April 8 or April 9. If we would have won one of those games, whichever day you want to pick, we would have been in the playoffs. Every game up here is important to win every one you can."

Twins: Thome named AL Player of the Week
Designated hitter Jim Thome was named the Bank of America American League Player of the Week for the period ending on July 4. In six games last week, Thome posted a Major League-best 1.150 slugging percentage and tied for a Major League-best four home runs. He had a .400 batting average in that span.

Denard Span has had success against Detroit in his career. Entering Friday's game he had posted a .398 average and had four four-hit games and two five-hit games. He has the most hits in his career against the Tigers than against any other team. This season he is batting .371 against his division rivals.

The Twins pitchers continue to avoid walks this season, as only three Tigers earned free passes in Friday's game. The Twins have had 11 games this season with zero walks and have walked only a Major League-low 178 batters overall.

Tigers: Ordonez tough on Minnesota
Since 2005, Ordonez has batted .345 against the Twins with 28 doubles, one triple, 16 home runs and 73 RBIs in 85 games. His 28 doubles and 73 RBIs lead all players in the Major Leagues against the Twins during that five-season stretch.

Closer Jose Valverde has converted each of his last 18 save opportunities for the Tigers. It is the eighth longest such streak in a single season for Detroit.

Miguel Cabrera extended his hitting streak to a career-high 17 games on Friday. He is batting .406 in that span with 15 runs, seven doubles, a triple, two home runs and 15 RBIs.

Worth noting
Minnesota leads the season series, 6-4, in 2010 and will look to extend its advantage in the remainder of this three-game series.

... Nick Blackburn and Jeremy Bonderman will go head-to-head on Saturday. Blackburn has had a rough June, going 0-4 with a 12.05 ERA through five games. Bonderman started the season pitching well, but hadn't garnered enough run support to get wins. However, in his last three starts, he has allowed 15 runs on 25 hits in 16 1/3 innings to give him a 4-6 record this season.




Pitching matchup

TIGERS: RHP Jeremy Bonderman (4-6, 4.81 ERA)
Bonderman's pattern of quality outings gone unrewarded in low-scoring games has been replaced by struggles in his last three starts, allowing 15 runs on 25 hits in 16 1/3 innings. His normally nasty slider has been inconsistent and hit hard when it doesn't snap.


TWINS: RHP Nick Blackburn (7-6, 6.00 ERA)
Blackburn's rotation spot had become tenuous after he went 0-4 with a 12.05 ERA in his first five June starts. The majority of those struggles came on the road, and his next start will be in Detroit for an important series against the Tigers to finish off the first half.


From MLB Tigers Game Notes



INJURY UPDATE:
RHP Zach Miner(right elbow tendinitis, 60-day DL on March 26),
LHP Bobby Seay (left shoulder strain, 60-day DL on March 26),
RHP Joel Zumaya (non-displaced fracture of the olecranon, 60-day DL on June 29).


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Up next (Probable Pitchers)


• Sunday, July 11
TIGERS (LHP Andy Oliver (0-2, 5.93 ERA)) VS TWINS (RHP Carl Pavano (9-6, 3.58 ERA)), 1:05 p.m. ET (FS-D HD / AM 1270 & 97.1 FM)

• Sunday, July 11 - XM All-Star Futures Game (MLB.TV, ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD at 6 p.m. ET)
• Sunday, July 11 - Taco Bell All-Star Legends & Celebrity Softball Game

• Monday, Jul. 12 - State Farm Home Run Derby (ESPN, ESPN HD, ESPN Deportes, ESPN 3D and ESPN Radio in the United States beginning at 8 p.m. ET)

• Tuesday, Jul. 13 - 81st All-Star Game, in Anaheim (FOX, 8:00 p.m. ET)

• Wednesday, Jul. 14
- OFF

• Thursday, Jul. 15
- OFF

STARTING LINEUPS:

Minnesota AVG
Span, CF .276
Hudson, O, 2B .275
Mauer, C .297
Thome, DH .265
Kubel, RF .261
Cuddyer, 1B .263
Young, D, LF .305
Hardy, SS .231
Punto, 3B .244
Totals .272

Detroit AVG
Jackson, A, CF .304
Damon, DH .271
Ordonez, RF .314
Cabrera, M, 1B .346
Boesch, LF .345
Guillen, C, 2B .295
Inge, 3B .269
Avila, C .226
Santiago, SS .268
Totals .277

Current Conditions

Comerica Park

Partly Cloudy 84 F

Humidity: 41 %

Wind: from the E at 7 mph

Barometer: 29.98 in

last updated: 7/10/10 3:25 PM EDT

Inning 1
Top Half

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


B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Orlando Hudson singles on a ground ball to right fielder Magglio Ordonez.


B:3 S:2 O:2 -
Joe Mauer flies out to left fielder Brennan Boesch.


B:1 S:3 O:3 -
Jim Thome swinging.

0-0 AFTER .5 INNING

Bottom Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Austin Jackson doubles (21) on a line drive to right fielder Jason Kubel.


B:0 S:1 O:1 -
Johnny Damon grounds out, shortstop J. Hardy to first baseman Michael Cuddyer. Austin Jackson to 3rd.


B:0 S:0 O:2 - Magglio Ordonez reaches on a fielder's
choice out, third baseman Nick Punto to catcher Joe Mauer. Austin
Jackson out at home.


B:1 S:1 O:2 -
Miguel Cabrera homers (22) on a fly ball to left center field. Magglio Ordonez scores.

DET 2, MIN 0


B:0 S:0 O:3 -
Brennan Boesch grounds out, second baseman Orlando Hudson to first baseman Michael Cuddyer.

DET 2, MIN 0 AFTER 1 INNING

Inning 2
Top Half

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


B:2 S:2 O:2 -
Michael Cuddyer grounds out sharply, third baseman Brandon Inge to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.


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

DET 2, MIN 0 AFTER 1.5 INNINGS

Bottom Half

B:2 S:2 O:1 -
Carlos Guillen flies out to left fielder Delmon Young.


B:1 S:1 O:2 -
Brandon Inge grounds out, third baseman Nick Punto to first baseman Michael Cuddyer.


B:3 S:1 O:2 -
Alex Avila homers (4) on a fly ball to left field.

DET 3, MIN 0




B:0 S:1 O:3 -
Ramon Santiago grounds out softly, third baseman Nick Punto to first baseman Michael Cuddyer.

DET 3, MIN 0 AFTER 2 INNINGS

Inning 3
Top Half

B:3 S:1 O:1 -
J. Hardy grounds out, shortstop Ramon Santiago to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.


B:4 S:1 O:1 -
Nick Punto walks.


B:0 S:1 O:1 -
Denard Span doubles (13) on a sharp ground ball to right fielder Magglio Ordonez. Nick Punto to 3rd.


B:0 S:1 O:1 -
Orlando Hudson singles on a line drive to left fielder Brennan Boesch. Nick Punto scores. Denard Span scores.

DET 3, MIN 2


B:2 S:0 O:3 - Joe Mauer grounds into double play,
first baseman Miguel Cabrera to shortstop Ramon Santiago to first
baseman Miguel Cabrera. Orlando Hudson out at 2nd.

DET 3, MIN 2 AFTER 2.5 INNINGS

Bottom Half

B:0 S:3 O:1 -
Austin Jackson swinging.


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


B:2 S:2 O:2 -
Magglio Ordonez homers (11) on a line drive to left field.

DET 4, MIN 2




B:0 S:1 O:3 -
Miguel Cabrera grounds out, third baseman Nick Punto to first baseman Michael Cuddyer.

DET 4, MIN 2 AFTER 3 INNINGS

Inning 4
Top Half

B:2 S:2 O:1 -
Jim Thome flies out to left fielder Brennan Boesch.


B:0 S:3 O:2 -
Jason Kubel swinging, catcher Alex Avila to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.


B:2 S:1 O:2 -
Michael Cuddyer homers (9) on a line drive to left field.

DET 4, MIN 3




B:0 S:1 O:3 -
Delmon Young grounds out, third baseman Brandon Inge to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

DET 4, MIN 3 AFTER 3.5 INNINGS

Bottom Half

B:1 S:0 O:1 -
Brennan Boesch grounds out, shortstop J. Hardy to first baseman Michael Cuddyer.


B:0 S:1 O:1 -
Carlos Guillen doubles (14) on a line drive to right fielder Jason Kubel.


B:1 S:1 O:2 -
Brandon Inge grounds out, second baseman Orlando Hudson to first baseman Michael Cuddyer. Carlos Guillen to 3rd.


B:2 S:0 O:3 -
Alex Avila grounds out sharply, second baseman Orlando Hudson to first baseman Michael Cuddyer.

DET 4, MIN 3 AFTER 4 INNINGS

Inning 5
Top Half

B:0 S:2 O:1 -
J. Hardy pops out to third baseman Brandon Inge.


B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Nick Punto flies out to left fielder Brennan Boesch.


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

DET 4, MIN 3 AFTER 4.5 INNINGS

Bottom Half

B:1 S:0 O:0 -
Ramon Santiago doubles (5) on a line drive to left fielder Delmon Young.


B:4 S:2 O:0 -
Austin Jackson walks.


B:4 S:2 O:0 -
Coaching visit to mound.


B:2 S:2 O:0 -
Johnny Damon homers (6) on a line drive to right field. Ramon Santiago scores. Austin Jackson scores.

DET 7, MIN 3


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


B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Brian Duensing replaces Nick Blackburn.


B:1 S:0 O:1 -
Magglio Ordonez grounds out sharply, third baseman Nick Punto to first baseman Michael Cuddyer.


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


B:1 S:1 O:1 -
Brennan Boesch doubles (19) on a line drive to center fielder Denard Span. Miguel Cabrera to 3rd.


B:2 S:3 O:2 -
Carlos Guillen swinging.


B:4 S:0 O:2 -
Brian Duensing intentionally walks Brandon Inge.



B:1 S:1 O:3 -
Alex Avila lines out to right fielder Jason Kubel.

DET 7, MIN 3 AFTER 5 INNINGS

Inning 6
Top Half

B:1 S:0 O:1 -
Orlando Hudson flies out to left fielder Brennan Boesch.


B:3 S:2 O:2 -
Joe Mauer flies out to left fielder Brennan Boesch in foul territory.


B:2 S:2 O:3 -
Jim Thome flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.

DET 7, MIN 3 AFTER 5.5 INNINGS

Bottom Half

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


B:1 S:2 O:1 -
Ramon Santiago flies out to center fielder Denard Span.


B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Austin Jackson flies out to left fielder Delmon Young.


B:1 S:3 O:3 -
Johnny Damon swinging.

DET 7, MIN 3 AFTER 6 INNINGS

Inning 7
Top Half
B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Daniel Schlereth replaces Jeremy Bonderman.


B:0 S:1 O:0 -
Jason Kubel doubles (14) on a line drive to center fielder Austin Jackson.


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


B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Robbie Weinhardt replaces Daniel Schlereth.


B:0 S:2 O:1 -
Michael Cuddyer lines out to right fielder Magglio Ordonez. Jason Kubel to 3rd.


B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Delmon Young grounds out, second baseman Carlos Guillen to first baseman Miguel Cabrera. Jason Kubel scores.

DET 7, MIN 4




B:3 S:2 O:3 -
J. Hardy flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.

DET 7, MIN 4 AFTER 6.5 INNINGS

Bottom Half

B:0 S:2 O:1 -
Magglio Ordonez pops out to third baseman Nick Punto in foul territory.


B:1 S:1 O:2 -
Miguel Cabrera grounds out, third baseman Nick Punto to first baseman Michael Cuddyer.


B:2 S:2 O:3 -
Brennan Boesch flies out to left fielder Delmon Young.

DET 7, MIN 4 AFTER 7 INNINGS

Inning 8
Top Half

B:1 S:2 O:1 -
Nick Punto grounds out, second baseman Carlos Guillen to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.


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


B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Pitcher Change: Phil Coke replaces Robbie Weinhardt.


B:0 S:3 O:2 -
Denard Span called out on .


B:2 S:1 O:2 -
Orlando Hudson singles on a ground ball to left fielder Brennan Boesch.


B:1 S:3 O:3 -
Joe Mauer swinging.


DET 7, MIN 4 AFTER 7.5 INNINGS

Bottom Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Ron Mahay replaces Kevin Slowey.


B:2 S:1 O:1 -
Carlos Guillen grounds out, third baseman Nick Punto to first baseman Michael Cuddyer.


B:4 S:0 O:1 -
Brandon Inge walks.


B:1 S:0 O:2 -
Alex Avila flies out to center fielder Denard Span.


B:2 S:3 O:3 -
Ramon Santiago called out on .

DET 7, MIN 4 AFTER 8 INNINGS

Inning 9
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Defensive Substitution: Don Kelly replaces left fielder Brennan Boesch, batting 5th, playing left field.


B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Jose Valverde replaces Phil Coke.


B:3 S:3 O:1 -
Jim Thome swinging.


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


B:2 S:2 O:3 -
Michael Cuddyer grounds out, third baseman Brandon Inge to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

DET 7, MIN 4 FINAL BOX SCORE > CLICK HERE <