GDT: 5/14/09 - DET (17-15) AT MIN (17-17) - 1:10 p.m. ET

MINNEAPOLIS -- Tigers manager Jim Leyland doesn't believe in pitchers having a personal catcher. Still, Tigers ace Justin Verlander and backup Dane Sardinha have put together some good numbers.

With starting catcher Gerald Laird given two games out of the starting lineup to clear his head and work on his hitting without having to worry about catching a game, Sardinha and Verlander are paired again. Given Verlander's last two outings -- 16 innings of one-run ball with 22 strikeouts -- it's shaping up to be a tough day at work for Twins hitters, who face a quick turnaround from Wednesday night's marathon affair.

Verlander's dominant run over his last three starts began with Laird behind the plate for his seven scoreless innings and nine strikeouts against the Yankees on April 27 at Comerica Park. Verlander's next outing came on a day game after a night game, the traditional time to give a starting catcher a day to rest.

Sardinha filled in and caught seven innings of one-run ball against the Indians with 11 strikeouts, rarely prompting a shake-off from Verlander along the way. It was a strong job from a catcher who began the season at Triple-A Toledo and was called into action when Matt Treanor went on the disabled list for right hip surgery.

Five days later in Cleveland, Leyland gave Laird the Friday evening off and paired up Sardinha with Verlander again. Together, they managed to top their previous performance, with Verlander pitching a complete-game two-hitter with 11 more strikeouts. Again, the two were in sync, allowing Verlander to keep up his lively tempo.

"I think I'm starting to get a feel for how he thinks and what he wants to throw," Sardinha said. "It's good to be on the same page, because you want his tempo to be there, so you try to think with him so his tempo's there, because that's when guys are most effective, I think."

Considering Sardinha caught Verlander for three games last season and a couple times in Spring Training, they weren't completely unfamiliar when Sardinha came up last month. And there's no reason to think Verlander wouldn't have gotten the same results with Laird behind the plate.

However, the success reinforces Sardinha's reputation for working well with pitchers.

"Sardinha's a great catcher," Leyland said. "He's a heckuva catcher. He doesn't panic."

A look at Verlander's career stats shows his effectiveness working with Sardinha began last year. Add in their three games together in 2008, and Verlander has held opponents to a .161 batting average with 46 strikeouts over 133 plate appearances in five games with Sardinha behind the plate.

Don't expect Sardinha to take any credit for that.

"It's mostly pitchers," Sardinha said. "You just try to throw out ideas and signs for the pitch to be called, but it's the pitcher executing them."


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Pitching matchup

DET: RHP Justin Verlander (3-2, 4.50 ERA)
After going winless in his first four starts, Justin Verlander is back to dominating opposing hitters. His fastballs are hitting the upper 90s mph with ease, his curveballs are dropping for strikes and he's learning to use his abundance of adrenaline in his favor. The result is a string of three stingy starts, covering 23 innings of one-run ball with five walks, 31 strikeouts and only two extra-base hits allowed. He'll get a test of that new form at the Metrodome, where good pitches can fall into bad habits on a fast artificial surface.

MIN: RHP Scott Baker (1-4, 6.83 ERA)
Scott Baker pitched precisely the sort of game that he needed to get back on track Friday against Seattle. Baker dealt seven shutout innings, striking out five and walking none in Minnesota's 11-0 victory. The previously struggling Twins ace was 0-4 with a 9.15 ERA in four starts coming into the game. This start came after Baker carried a no-hitter through six innings against the Royals but surrendered five earned runs in the seventh inning. Baker gets Detroit next. He is 4-3 in 12 career starts against the Tigers with a 3.69 ERA.

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Tidbits

... Marcus Thames, on the disabled list since April 19 with a left rib cage strain, began swinging off a tee here Monday and is progressing to hitting soft-toss pitches. He hopes to start taking full batting practice soon and should be in line for a Minor League rehab assignment shortly after that.
... Magglio Ordonez is 12-for-28 lifetime against Baker with three doubles, a triple, two home runs and three RBIs.
... Joe Mauer is 10-for-25 for his career off Verlander with two doubles, a homer and five RBIs.
... The Tigers' 11 wins at the Metrodome since 2007 are the most of any Twins opponent.

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Up next (Probable Pitchers)

• 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
• Saturday: Tigers (RHP Rick Porcello, 3-3, 4.28 ERA), vs. Athletics (Trevor Cahill, 2-2, 3.69 ERA), 7:05 p.m. ET
• Sunday: Tigers (Armando Galarraga, 3-3, 4.61 ERA) vs. Athletics (Brett Anderson, 0-3, 5.79 ERA), 1:05 p.m. ET

STARTING LINEUPS:

Detroit
Granderson, CF
Santiago, 2B
Ordonez, RF
Cabrera, M, 1B
Larish, DH
Thomas, LF
Inge, 3B
Everett, SS
Sardinha, D, C


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

Inning 1
Top Half

B:2 S:2 O:1 -
Curtis Granderson flies out to left fielder Jason Kubel in foul territory.

B:2 S:1 O:2 -
Ramon Santiago grounds out, shortstop Nick Punto to first baseman Brian Buscher.

B:2 S:2 O:3 -
Magglio Ordonez grounds out to first baseman Brian Buscher.
Bottom Half

B:2 S:3 O:1 -
Denard Span on foul tip.

B:2 S:3 O:2 -
Matt Tolbert called out on .

B:1 S:2 O:2 -
Joe Mauer singles on a ground ball to center fielder Curtis Granderson.

B:2 S:1 O:2 -
With Justin Morneau batting, wild pitch by Justin Verlander, Joe Mauer to 2nd.

B:2 S:3 O:3 -
Justin Morneau swinging.

0-0

Inning 2
Top Half

B:1 S:3 O:1 -
Miguel Cabrera swinging.

B:2 S:1 O:2 -
Jeff Larish pops out to second baseman Matt Tolbert in foul territory.

B:1 S:0 O:3 -
Clete Thomas grounds out, second baseman Matt Tolbert to first baseman Brian Buscher.
Bottom Half

B:2 S:2 O:0 -
Jason Kubel hits a ground-rule double (10) on a fly ball down the left-field line.

B:1 S:3 O:1 -
Michael Cuddyer called out on .

B:1 S:0 O:2 -
Joe Crede pops out to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:4 S:1 O:2 -
Brian Buscher walks.

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

5 for

0-0 after 2 innings

Inning 3
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Brandon Inge flies out to center fielder Denard Span.

B:1 S:1 O:2 -
Adam Everett grounds out, shortstop Nick Punto to first baseman Brian Buscher.

B:3 S:1 O:3 -
Dane Sardinha lines out to shortstop Nick Punto.
Bottom Half

B:1 S:0 O:1 -
Denard Span flies out to left fielder Clete Thomas.

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

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

7 for

0-0 after 3 innings

Inning 4
Top Half

B:2 S:2 O:1 -
Curtis Granderson pops out to third baseman Joe Crede in foul territory.

B:1 S:1 O:1 -
Ramon Santiago singles on a ground ball to center fielder Denard Span.

B:0 S:0 O:3 - Magglio Ordonez grounds into double
play, shortstop Nick Punto to second baseman Matt Tolbert to first
baseman Brian Buscher. Ramon Santiago out at 2nd.
Bottom Half

B:1 S:0 O:1 -
Justin Morneau pops out to third baseman Brandon Inge.

B:1 S:0 O:1 -
Jason Kubel singles on a soft line drive to right fielder Magglio Ordonez.

B:1 S:3 O:2 -
Michael Cuddyer swinging.

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

9 for

0-0 after 4 innings

Inning 5
Top Half

B:1 S:3 O:1 -
Miguel Cabrera swinging.

B:1 S:2 O:1 -
Injury Delay.

B:1 S:2 O:2 -
Jeff Larish grounds out, shortstop Nick Punto to first baseman Brian Buscher.

B:1 S:1 O:3 -
Clete Thomas flies out to center fielder Denard Span.
Bottom Half

B:3 S:3 O:1 -
Brian Buscher swinging.

B:3 S:3 O:2 -
Nick Punto called out on .

B:1 S:1 O:2 -
Denard Span singles on a ground ball to right fielder Magglio Ordonez.

B:2 S:2 O:3 -
Matt Tolbert grounds out softly, pitcher Justin Verlander to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

11 for

0-0 after 5 innings

Inning 6
Top Half

B:1 S:2 O:0 -
Brandon Inge singles on a fly ball to center fielder Denard Span.

B:2 S:1 O:0 -
Adam Everett singles on a ground ball to right fielder Michael Cuddyer. Brandon Inge to 3rd.

B:1 S:3 O:1 -
Dane Sardinha swinging.

B:0 S:1 O:2 -
Curtis Granderson pops out to shortstop Nick Punto.

B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Ramon Santiago hits a ground-rule double (3) on a fly ball to left field. Brandon Inge scores. Adam Everett to 3rd.

B:1 S:2 O:2 -
Magglio Ordonez singles on a ground ball to center fielder Denard Span. Adam Everett scores. Ramon Santiago scores.

B:1 S:0 O:2 -
Miguel Cabrera hits a ground-rule double (4) on a fly ball down the left-field line. Magglio Ordonez to 3rd.

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

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

B:0 S:0 O:2 - Clete Thomas singles on a ground ball to
center fielder Denard Span. Magglio Ordonez scores. Miguel Cabrera
scores. Jeff Larish to 3rd.

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

B:4 S:2 O:0 -
Joe Mauer walks.

B:1 S:3 O:1 -
Justin Morneau on foul tip.

B:1 S:0 O:2 -
Jason Kubel pops out to third baseman Brandon Inge in foul territory.

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

12 for

5-0 after 6 innings

Inning 7
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Craig Breslow replaces Scott Baker.

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

B:0 S:0 O:2 - Dane Sardinha grounds into double play,
third baseman Joe Crede to second baseman Matt Tolbert to first baseman
Brian Buscher. Adam Everett out at 2nd.

B:1 S:3 O:3 -
Curtis Granderson swinging.
Bottom Half

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

B:1 S:2 O:1 -
Brian Buscher singles on a fly ball to center fielder Curtis Granderson.

B:4 S:1 O:1 -
Nick Punto walks. Brian Buscher to 2nd.

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

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Pitcher Change: Bobby Seay replaces Justin Verlander.

B:2 S:2 O:1 -
Denard Span singles on a fly ball to left fielder Clete Thomas. Brian Buscher to 3rd. Nick Punto to 2nd.

B:4 S:1 O:1 -
Matt Tolbert walks. Brian Buscher scores. Nick Punto to 3rd. Denard Span to 2nd.

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

B:2 S:2 O:2 - Joe Mauer grounds into a force out,
second baseman Ramon Santiago to shortstop Adam Everett. Nick Punto
scores. Denard Span to 3rd. Matt Tolbert out at 2nd. Joe Mauer to 1st.

B:2 S:2 O:2 -
Injury Delay.

B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Defensive Substitution: Gerald Laird replaces catcher Dane Sardinha, batting 9th, playing catcher.

B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Justin Morneau singles on a sharp ground ball to right fielder Magglio Ordonez. Denard Span scores. Joe Mauer to 3rd.

B:1 S:0 O:2 -
Jason Kubel hits a ground-rule double (11) on a fly ball to right-center field. Joe Mauer scores. Justin Morneau to 3rd.

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

B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Pitcher Change: Zach Miner replaces Bobby Seay.

B:2 S:0 O:2 -
Minnesota Twins Manager Ron Gardenhire ejected by HP umpire Paul Nauert.

B:4 S:1 O:2 -
Michael Cuddyer walks.

B:1 S:0 O:2 - Joe Crede singles on a soft fly ball to
center fielder Curtis Granderson. Justin Morneau scores. Jason Kubel
scores. Michael Cuddyer to 3rd.

B:2 S:1 O:3 -
Brian Buscher flies out to left fielder Clete Thomas.

13 for

Twins 6-5 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 Jason Kubel, batting 5th, playing center field.

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Ramon Santiago flies out to right fielder Michael Cuddyer.

B:1 S:1 O:2 -
Magglio Ordonez lines out to shortstop Nick Punto.

B:0 S:2 O:2 -
Miguel Cabrera singles on a ground ball to left fielder Denard Span.

B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Ryan Raburn replaces Jeff Larish.

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

B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Pitcher Change: Matt Guerrier replaces Craig Breslow.

B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Josh Anderson replaces Ryan Raburn.

B:3 S:1 O:3 -
Josh Anderson grounds out, second baseman Matt Tolbert to first baseman Brian Buscher.
Bottom Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Josh Anderson remains in the game as the designated hitter.

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

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

B:0 S:0 O:3 -
Matt Tolbert grounds out, first baseman Miguel Cabrera to pitcher Zach Miner.

Twins 6-5 after 8 innings

Inning 9
Top Half

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

B:1 S:3 O:1 -
Clete Thomas swinging.

B:1 S:3 O:2 -
Brandon Inge called out on .

B:1 S:2 O:3 -
Adam Everett grounds out, shortstop Nick Punto to first baseman Brian Buscher.

Twins win 6-5

May 14, 2009

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

Detroit AB- R- H- RBI- BB- SO- LOB -AVG- Granderson, CF 4 0 0 0 0 1 2 .257 Santiago, 2B 4 1 2 1 0 0 0 .300 Ordonez, RF 4 1 1 2 0 0 1 .240 Cabrera, M, 1B 4 1 2 0 0 2 0 .366 Larish, DH 2 0 0 0 1 0 0 .250 --a-Raburn, PH-DH 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .095 --b-Anderson, J, PH-DH 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 .310 Thomas, LF 4 0 1 2 0 1 0 .333 Inge, 3B 4 1 1 0 0 2 2 .283 Everett, SS 4 1 2 0 0 0 0 .297 Sardinha, D, C 3 0 0 0 0 1 3 .063 --Laird, C 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .202 Totals 34 5 9 5 1 7 9 a-Batted for Larish in the 8th. b-Grounded out for Raburn in the 8th. BATTING 2B: Santiago (3, Baker), Cabrera, M (4, Baker). TB: Santiago 3; Ordonez; Cabrera, M 3; Thomas; Inge; Everett 2. RBI: Santiago (15), Ordonez 2 (14), Thomas 2 (5). 2-out RBI: Santiago; Ordonez 2; Thomas 2. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Inge. GIDP: Ordonez; Sardinha, D. Team RISP: 3-for-6. Team LOB: 3.		Minnesota AB- R- H- RBI- BB- SO- LOB- AVG Span, CF-LF 5 1 2 0 0 2 0 .299 Tolbert, 2B 4 0 0 1 1 2 1 .200 Mauer, C 3 1 1 1 1 1 2 .455 Morneau, DH 4 1 1 1 0 2 2 .313 Kubel, LF 4 1 3 1 0 0 1 .333 --Gomez, CF 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .214 Cuddyer, RF 3 0 0 0 1 2 3 .268 Crede, 3B 4 0 1 2 0 2 2 .237 Buscher, 1B 3 1 1 0 1 1 2 .211 Punto, SS 3 1 0 0 1 2 2 .193 Totals 33 6 9 6 5 14 15 BATTING 2B: Kubel 2 (11, Verlander, Seay). TB: Span 2; Mauer; Morneau; Kubel 5; Crede; Buscher. RBI: Tolbert (3), Mauer (14), Morneau (29), Kubel (20), Crede 2 (15). 2-out RBI: Morneau; Kubel; Crede 2. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Morneau; Punto; Buscher. Team RISP: 4-for-10. Team LOB: 8. FIELDING DP: 2 (Punto-Tolbert-Buscher, Crede-Tolbert-Buscher).
Detroit IP-- H- R- ER- BB- SO- HR- ERA Verlander 6.1 5 2 2 3 13 0 4.29 Seay (L, 0-1) 0.1 3 4 4 1 0 0 5.56 Miner (BS, 1) 1.1 1 0 0 1 1 0 4.70		Minnesota IP-- H- R- ER- BB- SO- HR- ERA Baker 6.0 7 5 5 1 4 0 6.95 Breslow (W, 1-1) 1.2 2 0 0 0 1 0 5.84 Guerrier (H, 5) 0.1 0 0 0 0 0 0 4.34 Nathan (S, 6) 1.0 0 0 0 0 2 0 1.29
WP: Verlander. Pitches-strikes: Verlander 122-76, Seay 19-10, Miner 20-11, Baker 98-67, Breslow 15-12, Guerrier 5-2, Nathan 12-9. Groundouts-flyouts: Verlander 2-4, Seay 1-0, Miner 2-1, Baker 7-7, Breslow 2-2, Guerrier 1-0, Nathan 1-0. Batters faced: Verlander 27, Seay 5, Miner 6, Baker 25, Breslow 6, Guerrier 1, Nathan 3. Inherited runners-scored: Seay 2-2, Miner 2-2, Guerrier 1-0. EjectionsMinnesota Twins Manager Ron Gardenhire ejected by HP umpire Paul Nauert. (7th). Umpires: HP: Paul Nauert. 1B: Joe West. 2B: Ed Rapuano. 3B: Paul Schrieber. Weather: 68 degrees, dome. Wind: Indoors. T: 2:51. Att: 26,046. May 14, 2009