GDT: 5/12/09 - DET (17-13) AT MIN (15-17) - 8:10 p.m. ET

CLEVELAND -- Once again, the Tigers are going to try to take momentum into the Metrodome, where they've been run out of town so many times before. For the first time in a few years, they might have the style of game to match.

It isn't exactly a dome style of play that has propelled the Tigers into first place in the American League Central, but it isn't their slugging ways of 2008, either. Detroit has won four of five since its lineup shakeup put all-around weapon Clete Thomas into the third spot, made an occasional leadoff hitter out of Josh Anderson, and had Curtis Granderson protecting Miguel Cabrera in the batting order for a couple games.

Longer-term, however, Detroit's first five weeks to the season have arguably sent a message. This is no longer a club that waits for the big home run for an offensive surge. It's a team that has been sending runners almost every realistic chance manager Jim Leyland gets, and a club that has already laid down 11 sacrifice bunts, more than a third of their 2008 total despite being less than a fifth of the way through the season. That doesn't include Ramon Santiago's two squeeze bunts last month.

It doesn't mean the Tigers will always take advantage of the fast, springy artificial turf that impacts nearly every play in Minnesota, but it should mean they won't be hampered by it.

Part of the reason is an effort to ignite a struggling offense. Leyland hasn't been shy about using hit-and-run plays as a way to get slumping hitters going. His thought process is that by forcing a hitter to put the ball in play, it takes away a lot of the pressure to try to do too much with a pitch and allows them to simplify things.

Yet the Tigers have been running far more than that, using speed to put runners in position to score without hits. The only run of Friday's 1-0 win at Cleveland came after Granderson drew a one-out walk, barely stole second on a hit-and-run play that didn't work out, then advanced to third on a well-placed groundout from Placido Polanco. While Thomas sped down the line and beat second baseman Luis Valbuena's double-clutch throw to first for an infield single, Granderson strolled home.

"I can think of about six games speed has had an impact on us winning so far," Leyland said. "That's pretty good."

On Saturday, Granderson and Jeff Larish drew back-to-back walks off Fausto Carmona, then advanced when Brandon Inge -- second on the team in home runs and RBIs -- laid down a sacrifice bunt with the corner infielders in. All Gerald Laird had to do was slap a grounder to short to drive in the game's first run.

Detroit's attempts to take extra bases have been less aggressive, yet still efficient. The Tigers have made just two outs trying to take extra bases, according to Bill James Online, while ranking average among Major League teams in overall baserunning.



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Pitching matchup

DET: RHP Armando Galarraga (3-2, 4.08 ERA)
Five of the six innings Galarraga threw Thursday against the White Sox were solid, but it only took one to cause problems. The right-hander gave up five runs on three hits and two walks in the first inning. He scattered only three more hits over his next five innings. It was the second straight start that Galarraga surrendered five runs or more, and he's watched his ERA balloon from 1.85 to 4.08 in that span. Hell have his work cut out for him in Minnesota. In six career games against the Twins, Galarraga is 0-4 with a 5.23 ERA.

MIN: RHP Kevin Slowey (4-1, 5.50 ERA)
Slowey received his first loss of the season on Wednesday against the Orioles. It came under unfortunate circumstances: The game had four rain delays that totaled nearly four hours. Slowey was pulled after a long delay, giving up three earned runs in three innings. Slowey has had an interesting season. He's 4-1 but has a disappointing 5.50 ERA. He's given up eight or more hits in four of six starts, but has a superb 25-2 K/BB ratio. Next up is Detroit, a team that Slowey is 2-0 with a 5.74 ERA against in three career starts.

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Tidbits

...Shortstop Adam Everett will make his first return to Minnesota since leaving the Twins as a free agent. He signed with the club a year ago to be its starting shortstop before injuries shortened his season.
... Placido Polanco has a nine-game hitting streak, during which he's batting .306 (11-for-36).
... The Tigers took eight out of nine games at the Metrodome in 2007, but went 3-6 there last year.
... Detroit pitching has allowed three runs in 31 innings since Thursday.

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Up next (Probable Pitchers)

• Monday: Off-day
• Tuesday: Tigers (RHP Armando Galarraga, 3-2, 4.08 ERA) at Twins (RHP Kevin Slowly, 4-1, 5.50 ERA), 8:10 p.m. ET
• Wednesday: Tigers (LHP Dontrelle Willis, 0-2, 9.38 ERA in 2008) at Twins (LHP Glen Perkins, 1-2, 3.73 ERA), 8:10 p.m. ET
• Thursday: Tigers (RHP Justin Verlander, 3-2, 4.50 ERA) at Twins (RHP Scott Baker, 1-4, 6.83 ERA), 1:10 p.m. ET
• Friday: Tigers (RHP Edwin Jackson, 2-2, 2.60 ERA) vs. Athletics (LHP Dallas Braden, 3-4, 2.79 ERA), 7:05 p.m. ET

Starting Lineups:

Detroit

1. Curtis Granderson, CF
2. Placido Polanco, 2B
3. Clete Thomas, LF
4. Miguel Cabrera, 1B
5. Jeff Larish, DH
6. Magglio Ordonez, RF
7. Brandon Inge, 3B
8. Gerald Laird, C
9. Ramon Santiago, SS

Starting pitcher: Armando Galarraga


Minnesota
Span, CF
Tolbert, 2B
Mauer, C
Morneau, 1B
Kubel, DH
Cuddyer, RF
Crede, 3B
Young, LF
Punto, SS

Starting pitcher: Kevin Slowey

Inning 1
Top Half

B:1 S:2 O:0 -
Curtis Granderson doubles (3) on a fly ball to left fielder Delmon Young.

B:4 S:0 O:0 -
Placido Polanco walks.

B:2 S:2 O:2 - Clete Thomas grounds into double play,
shortstop Nick Punto to first baseman Justin Morneau. Curtis Granderson
to 3rd. Placido Polanco out at 2nd.

B:0 S:0 O:3 -
Miguel Cabrera flies out to right fielder Michael Cuddyer.

0-0

Bottom Half

B:2 S:1 O:1 -
Denard Span flies out to right fielder Magglio Ordonez.

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Matt Tolbert singles on a ground ball to center fielder Curtis Granderson.

B:2 S:0 O:2 -
Joe Mauer flies out to left fielder Clete Thomas.(Clete takes a homer away from Mauer )

B:2 S:0 O:3 -
Justin Morneau flies out to center fielder Curtis Granderson.

0-0 after 1 inning

Inning 2
Top Half

B:1 S:1 O:0 -
Jeff Larish singles on a line drive to center fielder Denard Span.

B:0 S:2 O:1 -
Magglio Ordonez pops out to second baseman Matt Tolbert in foul territory.

B:2 S:1 O:1 -
With Brandon Inge batting, wild pitch by Kevin Slowey, Jeff Larish to 2nd.

B:2 S:3 O:2 -
Brandon Inge swinging.

B:0 S:3 O:3 -
Gerald Laird swinging.

0-0

Bottom Half

B:3 S:1 O:1 -
Jason Kubel grounds out, second baseman Placido Polanco to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:4 S:1 O:1 -
Michael Cuddyer walks.

B:2 S:1 O:1 -
Joe Crede homers (4) on a fly ball to left field. Michael Cuddyer scores.

B:2 S:2 O:2 -
Delmon Young grounds out, second baseman Placido Polanco to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:2 S:3 O:3 -
Nick Punto swinging.

Twins 2-0 after 2 innings

Inning 3
Top Half

B:2 S:1 O:0 -
Ramon Santiago singles on a ground ball to right fielder Michael Cuddyer.

B:2 S:1 O:1 -
Curtis Granderson pops out to shortstop Nick Punto.

B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Placido Polanco flies out to left fielder Delmon Young.

B:1 S:0 O:2 -
Clete Thomas singles on a ground ball to right fielder Michael Cuddyer. Ramon Santiago to 2nd.

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

Twins 2-0

Bottom Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Denard Span singles on a ground ball to right fielder Magglio Ordonez.

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Matt Tolbert out on a sacrifice bunt, pitcher Armando Galarraga to first baseman Miguel Cabrera. Denard Span to 2nd.

B:0 S:1 O:1 -
Joe Mauer homers (4) on a line drive to left field. Denard Span scores.

B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Justin Morneau pops out to third baseman Brandon Inge.

B:2 S:0 O:2 -
Jason Kubel singles on a line drive to right fielder Magglio Ordonez.

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

B:0 S:1 O:3 -
Michael Cuddyer lines out to third baseman Brandon Inge.
Twins 4-0 after 3 innings

Inning 4
Top Half

B:4 S:2 O:0 -
Jeff Larish walks.

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Magglio Ordonez singles on a ground ball to second baseman Matt Tolbert. Jeff Larish to 2nd.

B:1 S:2 O:1 -
Brandon Inge pops out to second baseman Matt Tolbert on the infield fly rule.

B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Gerald Laird flies out to right fielder Michael Cuddyer.

B:0 S:1 O:3 -
Ramon Santiago grounds out, second baseman Matt Tolbert to first baseman Justin Morneau.

Twins 4-0

Bottom Half

B:1 S:2 O:1 -
Joe Crede grounds out, shortstop Ramon Santiago to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:1 S:3 O:2 -
Delmon Young swinging.

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

Twins 4-0 after 4 innings

Inning 5
Top Half

B:2 S:1 O:1 -
Curtis Granderson pops out to shortstop Nick Punto.

B:0 S:2 O:1 -
Placido Polanco singles on a soft line drive to right fielder Michael Cuddyer.

B:2 S:2 O:1 -
Clete Thomas singles on a line drive to left fielder Delmon Young. Placido Polanco to 2nd.

B:0 S:0 O:3 - Miguel Cabrera grounds into double play,
second baseman Matt Tolbert to shortstop Nick Punto to first baseman
Justin Morneau. Clete Thomas out at 2nd.

Twins 4-0

Bottom Half

B:3 S:3 O:1 -
Denard Span swinging.

B:2 S:3 O:2 -
Matt Tolbert swinging.

B:4 S:1 O:2 -
Joe Mauer walks.

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

Twins 4-0 after 5 innings

Inning 6
Top Half

B:1 S:2 O:0 -
Jeff Larish homers (3) on a fly ball to left field.

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Magglio Ordonez grounds out, pitcher Kevin Slowey to first baseman Justin Morneau.

B:2 S:2 O:2 -
Brandon Inge flies out to left fielder Delmon Young.

B:0 S:0 O:3 -
Gerald Laird grounds out, pitcher Kevin Slowey to first baseman Justin Morneau.

Twins 4-1

Bottom Half

B:4 S:0 O:0 -
Jason Kubel walks.

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Michael Cuddyer singles on a soft line drive to left fielder Clete Thomas. Jason Kubel to 2nd.

B:0 S:0 O:1 - Joe Crede grounds into a force out,
shortstop Ramon Santiago to second baseman Placido Polanco. Jason Kubel
to 3rd. Michael Cuddyer out at 2nd. Joe Crede to 1st.

B:0 S:2 O:2 - Delmon Young grounds into a force out,
shortstop Ramon Santiago to second baseman Placido Polanco. Jason Kubel
scores. Joe Crede out at 2nd. Delmon Young advances to 2nd, on throwing
error by second baseman Placido Polanco.

B:4 S:1 O:2 -
Nick Punto walks.

B:4 S:1 O:2 -
Coaching visit to mound.

B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Pitcher Change: Ryan Perry replaces Armando Galarraga.

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

Twins 5-1 after 6 innings

Inning 7
Top Half

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

B:3 S:2 O:0 -
Ramon Santiago homers (2) on a fly ball to right center field.

B:4 S:1 O:0 -
Curtis Granderson walks.

B:4 S:1 O:0 -
Coaching visit to mound.

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Jose Mijares replaces Jesse Crain.


B:2 S:1 O:1 -
Placido Polanco flies out to center fielder Denard Span.

B:0 S:3 O:2 -
Clete Thomas called out on strikes.

B:1 S:2 O:3 -
Miguel Cabrera lines out softly to shortstop Nick Punto.

Twins 5-2

Bottom Half

B:1 S:3 O:1 -
Matt Tolbert called out on .

B:1 S:1 O:1 -
Joe Mauer singles on a line drive to left fielder Clete Thomas.

B:1 S:0 O:1 -
With Justin Morneau batting, passed ball by Gerald Laird, Joe Mauer to 2nd.

B:4 S:0 O:1 -
Ryan Perry intentionally walks Justin Morneau.


B:1 S:3 O:2 -
Jason Kubel on foul tip.

B:0 S:1 O:3 -
Michael Cuddyer grounds out, second baseman Placido Polanco to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

Twins 5-2 after 7 innings

Inning 8
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Defensive switch from center field to left field for Denard Span.

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Defensive Substitution: Carlos Gomez replaces left fielder Delmon Young, batting 8th, playing center field.

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Jeff Larish flies out to center fielder Carlos Gomez.

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

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Pitcher Change: Matt Guerrier replaces Jose Mijares.

B:2 S:2 O:2 -
Magglio Ordonez grounds out, third baseman Joe Crede to first baseman Justin Morneau.

B:3 S:3 O:3 -
Brandon Inge called out on .

Twins 5-2

Bottom Half

B:0 S:3 O:1 -
Joe Crede swinging.

B:4 S:2 O:1 -
Carlos Gomez walks.

B:1 S:1 O:1 -
With Nick Punto batting, Carlos Gomez steals (3) 2nd base.

B:1 S:2 O:2 -
Nick Punto grounds out, pitcher Ryan Perry to first baseman Miguel Cabrera. Carlos Gomez to 3rd.

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

B:1 S:1 O:2 -
Denard Span singles on a ground ball to left fielder Clete Thomas. Carlos Gomez scores.

B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Pitcher Change: Brandon Lyon replaces Ryan Perry.

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

B:3 S:1 O:2 -
With Matt Tolbert batting, Denard Span steals (8) 2nd base.

B:4 S:1 O:2 -
Matt Tolbert walks.

B:0 S:2 O:3 -
With Joe Mauer batting, Denard Span caught stealing 3rd base, catcher Gerald Laird to third baseman Brandon Inge.

Twins 6-2 after 8 innings

Inning 9
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Joe Nathan replaces Matt Guerrier.

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Josh Anderson replaces Gerald Laird.

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Josh Anderson flies out to center fielder Carlos Gomez.

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

B:2 S:3 O:3 -
Curtis Granderson called out on .

Tigers Lose 2-6

May 12, 2009

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9		R	H	E
Detroit	0	0	0	0	0	1	1	0	0		2	9	1
Minnesota	0	2	2	0	0	1	0	1	X		6	8	0

Detroit AB- R- H- RBI- BB- SO- LOB -AVG- Granderson, CF 4 0 1 0 1 1 1 .254 Polanco, 2B 3 0 1 0 1 0 2 .272 Thomas, LF 4 0 2 0 0 1 3 .364 Cabrera, M, 1B 4 0 0 0 0 0 6 .365 Larish, DH 3 1 2 1 1 0 0 .259 Ordonez, RF 4 0 1 0 0 0 1 .241 Inge, 3B 4 0 0 0 0 2 3 .269 Laird, C 3 0 0 0 0 1 3 .207 --a-Anderson, J, PH 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .321 Santiago, SS 4 1 2 1 0 0 2 .283 Totals 34 2 9 2 3 5 21 a-Flied out for Laird in the 9th. BATTING 2B: Granderson (3, Slowey). HR: Larish (3, 6th inning off Slowey, 0 on, 0 out), Santiago (2, 7th inning off Crain, 0 on, 0 out). TB: Granderson 2; Polanco; Thomas 2; Larish 5; Ordonez; Santiago 5. RBI: Larish (4), Santiago (14). Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Cabrera, M 2; Laird; Santiago. GIDP: Thomas; Cabrera, M. Team RISP: 0-for-9. Team LOB: 8. FIELDING E: Polanco (1, throw). PB: Laird (2).		Minnesota AB- R- H- RBI- BB- SO- LOB- AVG Span, CF-LF 5 1 2 1 0 2 2 .299 Tolbert, 2B 3 0 1 0 1 2 0 .190 Mauer, C 3 1 2 2 1 0 1 .500 Morneau, 1B 3 0 0 0 1 0 2 .315 Kubel, DH 3 1 1 0 1 1 2 .308 Cuddyer, RF 3 1 1 0 1 0 3 .272 Crede, 3B 4 1 1 2 0 1 2 .233 Young, LF 3 0 0 1 0 1 1 .277 --Gomez, CF 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 .218 Punto, SS 3 0 0 0 1 1 1 .200 Totals 30 6 8 6 7 8 14 BATTING HR: Crede (4, 2nd inning off Galarraga, 1 on, 1 out), Mauer (4, 3rd inning off Galarraga, 1 on, 1 out). TB: Span 2; Tolbert; Mauer 5; Kubel; Cuddyer; Crede 4. RBI: Crede 2 (9), Mauer 2 (12), Young (14), Span (16). 2-out RBI: Span. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Span; Cuddyer. S: Tolbert. Team RISP: 2-for-8. Team LOB: 8. BASERUNNING SB: Span (8, 2nd base off Lyon/Laird), Gomez (3, 2nd base off Perry/Laird). CS: Span (2, 3rd base by Lyon/Laird). FIELDING DP: 2 (Punto-Morneau, Tolbert-Punto-Morneau).
Detroit IP-- H- R- ER- BB- SO- HR- ERA Galarraga (L, 3-3) 5.2 6 5 5 4 4 2 4.61 Perry 2.0 2 1 1 2 4 0 3.14 Lyon 0.1 0 0 0 1 0 0 4.85		Minnesota IP-- H- R- ER- BB- SO- HR- ERA Slowey (W, 5-1) 6.0 8 1 1 2 2 1 4.91 Crain 0.0 1 1 1 1 0 1 9.00 Mijares, Jo (H, 3) 1.1 0 0 0 0 1 0 3.68 Guerrier (H, 4) 0.2 0 0 0 0 1 0 3.50 Nathan 1.0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1.50
Crain pitched to 2 batters in the 7th. WP: Slowey. IBB: Morneau (by Perry). Pitches-strikes: Galarraga 99-57, Perry 42-26, Lyon 7-3, Slowey 98-69, Crain 11-4, Mijares, Jo 13-10, Guerrier 12-7, Nathan 11-8. Groundouts-flyouts: Galarraga 8-5, Perry 2-0, Lyon 0-0, Slowey 8-8, Crain 0-0, Mijares, Jo 0-3, Guerrier 1-0, Nathan 1-1. Batters faced: Galarraga 27, Perry 10, Lyon 1, Slowey 26, Crain 2, Mijares, Jo 4, Guerrier 2, Nathan 3. Inherited runners-scored: Perry 2-0, Lyon 1-0, Mijares, Jo 1-0. Umpires: HP: Ed Rapuano. 1B: Paul Schrieber. 2B: Paul Nauert. 3B: Joe West. Weather: 70 degrees, dome. Wind: Indoors. T: 2:52. Att: 24,807. May 12, 2009 Box score official statistics approved by Major League Baseball Office of the Commissioner