GDT: 9/11/11 - DET (83-62) VS MIN (59-86) - 1:05 p.m. ET ---
VS ---
Detroit Tigers VS Minnesota TwinsSunday, September 11, 2011
Comerica Park, Detroit, MI
Game Time - 1:05 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 Fister set to finish off Twins, keep surging for TigersBy Cash Kruth / MLB.com | 9/10/2011 7:53 PM ET
The Tigers' acquisition of Doug Fister has arguably been the best non-waiver Trade Deadline deal of the season.
The right-hander has thrived more than anyone could have expected since joining the first-place Tigers, whose magic number to clinch the American League Central sits at nine following their eighth straight win Saturday.
On Sunday, Fister looks to continue his recent dominance in the series finale against the Twins at Comerica Park. Fister is coming off his best outing as a Tiger, allowing only four hits and striking out 13 in eight innings against the Indians.
"You can't hardly pitch any better than he pitched today," manager Jim Leyland said afterward. "That's Major League pitching at its best. It may not have been overpowering, but that's Major League pitching at its best.
"He's a pitcher. And that's why we wanted him."
That outing was just the latest example of why the Tigers traded for Fister. The right-hander is featuring an 0.91 ERA and .176 average against in his last four games, working at least seven full innings in each.
Not only is Sunday's game the series finale between the Tigers and Twins, but also the final time the two teams meet this season.
Minnesota will be thrilled to be finished with the Tigers, who have dominated the Twins this season in a matchup that usually provides thrilling games. Detroit is 13-4 against Minnesota this season, outscoring the Twins, 104-71. Minnesota hitters are batting .242 with 16 home runs against Tigers pitching, while Detroit is hitting .309 with 22 home runs against the Twins.
Twins: Diamond to startYoung left-hander Scott Diamond will make his fifth career start Sunday against Detroit, coming off a solid outing against the White Sox. In that start, the 25-year-old lefty allowed two runs in five innings, allowing eight hits. He lost to the Tigers on Aug. 26, allowing five runs (four earned) on 10 hits in 6 1/3 innings.
• The Minnesota bullpen has a 2.60 ERA and 12 strikeouts in its last six games.
Tigers: 9/11 ceremonyIn remembrance of the 10th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, the Tigers have joined local fire and police departments to commemorate Sunday's National Day of Service and Remembrance. The team has donated tickets to local first responders, firefighters and police officers, along with their families, to attend Sunday's game, with nearly 500 individuals being recognized on the field.
Individuals from the greater Detroit community, who traveled to New York to assist New York Police and Fire Departments during their greatest time of need, will throw out the ceremonial first pitch simultaneously. Doug Ruthven, of St. Clair Shores, Mich., -- who drove to New Jersey after the attacks -- will deliver the lineup card.
• Austin Jackson is one home run shy of becoming the 18th Tiger to record double-digit totals in doubles, triples, home runs and stolen bases.
Worth noting• As a whole, the Twins have been outscored, 714-555, this season.
• Tigers closer Jose Valverde is one save shy of setting the franchise record for most saves in a season. He has 42, tied with Todd Jones (2000).
• Leyland said Omir Santos will start behind the plate Sunday.
Tigers: RHP Doug Fister (7-13, 3.17 ERA)Normally a contact pitcher, Fister is defying that lately, going 3-0 with a 0.91 ERA over his Past four starts with 31 strikeouts over 29 2/3 innings. He put together an eight-inning, 13-strikeout gem Monday at Cleveland.
Twins: LHP Scott Diamond (1-3, 4.56 ERA)Diamond didn't have his best stuff in his previous outing, as he lasted just five frames vs. the White Sox in the second game of a doubleheader on Monday. But he limited the damage, allowing just two runs despite giving up eight hits and walking two.
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Tiger's MLB Game Notes
Game InformationINJURY UPDATE: •
OF Brennan Boesch (right thumb surgery,
15-day disabled list on September 9).
•
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) • Monday, September 12: Tigers (RHP
Rick Porcello (13-8, 4.87 ERA))
AT White Sox (RHP
Jake Peavy (7-7, 4.92 ERA)),
8:10 p.m. ET (FS-D HD, MLBN / WXYT 97.1 FM & 1270 AM)• Tuesday, September 13: Tigers (RHP
Justin Verlander (22-5, 2.44 ERA))
AT White Sox (LHP
John Danks (6-11, 4.09 ERA)),
8:10 p.m. ET (FS-D HD, MLBN / WXYT 97.1 FM & 1270 AM)