SB Nation Detroit - Tigers vs. Twins: Detroit beats Minnesota again, closes in on AL Central crownhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48919/detroit-fave.png2012-09-30T17:08:10-04:00http://detroit.sbnation.com/rss/stream/31893892012-09-30T17:08:10-04:002012-09-30T17:08:10-04:00Detroit closes Twins series with defensive win
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<p>The <a href="https://www.twinkietown.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Minnesota Twins</a> could only muster one run off of 10 hits, and the <a href="https://www.blessyouboys.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Detroit Tigers</a> used a <span>Prince Fielder</span> home run to take a 2-1 victory Sunday at Target Field. With the win, the 86-73 Tigers hold a 2.5 game lead on the <a href="https://www.southsidesox.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Chicago White Sox</a> in the AL Central.</p>
<p>The defenses ruled until the bottom of the seventh inning, when Twins third baseman <span>Trevor Plouffe</span> led off with a single. Pinch runner <span>Jamey Carroll</span> reached second base on a sacrifice out, and shortstop Pedro Florimon singled to right field to push Carroll across the plate, giving Minnesota a 1-0 lead.</p>
<p>Detroit answered in the eighth inning after Twins starting pitcher <span>Liam Hendriks</span> was pulled for <span>Jared Burton</span>. Austin Jackson singled to lead off for the Tigers, and with two outs, Fielder launched a home run to left field to swing the game in Detroit's favor.</p>
<p>Detroit starting pitcher <span>Anibal Sanchez</span> went 6.1 innings and gave up seven hits and one run. Hendriks went seven innings and allowed five hits with no runs crossing the plate on his watch.</p>
<p>Jackson and <span>Andy Dirks</span> each had two hits for the Tigers.</p>
<p>The Tigers open the regular season series finale against the Kansas City Royals on Monday.</p>
https://detroit.sbnation.com/tigers/2012/9/30/3434086/tigers-vs-twins-final-scoreKevin Zimmerman2012-09-30T12:28:55-04:002012-09-30T12:28:55-04:00Detroit looks to extend division lead Sunday
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<p>The <a href="https://www.blessyouboys.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Detroit Tigers</a> look to extend their lead in the AL Central as they face off against the <a href="https://www.twinkietown.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Minnesota Twins</a> on Sunday. They currently hold a two-game lead over the <a href="https://www.southsidesox.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Chicago White Sox</a> with only four games left to play.</p>
<p><span>Anibal Sanchez</span> (9-13, 3.95) takes the mound for Detroit, looking to carry over the success from his last start -- a three-hit shutout against the <a href="https://www.royalsreview.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Kansas City Royals</a>.</p>
<p>For Minnesota, <span>Liam Hendriks</span> (1-8, 6.09) gets the start. Hendriks got shelled for six runs including four homers against the <a href="https://www.pinstripealley.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">New York Yankees</a> his last time out.</p>
<p><b>Detroit Tigers</b></p>
<p><i>1. Austin Jackson, CF<br>2. <span>Quintin Berry</span>, LF<br>3. <span>Miguel Cabrera</span>, 3B<br>4. <span>Prince Fielder</span>, 1B<br>5. <span>Delmon Young</span>, DH<br>6. <span>Andy Dirks</span>, RF<br>7. <span>Jhonny Peralta</span>, SS<br>8. <span>Alex Avila</span>, C<br>9. <span>Omar Infante</span>, 2B<br>Pitching: Anibal Sanchez</i></p>
<p><b>Minnesota Twins</b></p>
<p><i>1. <span>Denard Span</span>, CF<br>2. <span>Ben Revere</span>, CF<br>3. <span>Joe Mauer</span>, C<br>4. <span>Justin Morneau</span>, DH<br>5. <span>Ryan Doumit</span>, LF<br>6. <span>Chris Parmelee</span>, 1B<br>7. <span>Trevor Plouffe</span>, 3B<br>8. <span>Alexi Casilla</span>, 2B<br>9. Pedro Florimon, SS<br>Pitching: Liam Hendriks</i></p>
https://detroit.sbnation.com/tigers/2012/9/30/3432270/tigers-vs-twins-lineupsJack Cassidy2012-09-30T11:00:27-04:002012-09-30T11:00:27-04:00Tigers look for series win over Twins
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blessyouboys.com/">Detroit Tigers</a> will go for the series win over the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.twinkietown.com/">Twins</a> on Sunday afternoon, after defeating Minnesota, 6-4, on Saturday and extending their American League Central lead over the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.southsidesox.com/">White Sox</a> to two games. The White Sox lost to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.draysbay.com/">Tampa Bay Rays</a>, 10-4, on Saturday.</p>
<p><span>Anibal Sanchez</span>, who has a 4-3 record with a 3.95 ERA, will get a chance at redemption after he allowed 12 hits and five runs to the Twins in August. He is scheduled to go up against <span>Liam Hendriks</span>, who is 1-8 on the season with a 6.09 ERA.</p>
<p><span>Miguel Cabrera</span> will go into the game leading all three Triple Crown categories, after hitting his 43rd home run of the season on Saturday, tying him with <span>Josh Hamilton</span> of the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.lonestarball.com/">Texas Rangers</a>. Twins' catcher <span>Joe Mauer</span> enters Sunday's game trailing Cabrera by just .007 for the American League's batting crown.</p>
<p>First pitch on Sunday is at 2:10 p.m. ET and the game will be broadcast on FOX.</p>
https://detroit.sbnation.com/tigers/2012/9/30/3430454/tigers-vs-twins-preview-tigers-look-for-series-win-over-twinsPardeep Toor2012-09-29T19:32:48-04:002012-09-29T19:32:48-04:00Tigers gain game in standings with win over Twins
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blessyouboys.com/">Detroit Tigers</a> 6-4 win over the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.twinkietown.com/">Minnesota Twins</a> Saturday, combined with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.southsidesox.com/">Chicago White Sox</a> losing to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.draysbay.com/">Tampa Bay Rays</a>, once again gives Detroit a two game lead in the AL Central standings.</p>
<p><span>Justin Verlander</span> (17-8, 2.64 ERA) gave up on unearned run and struck out eight in seven innings and left with a 6-0 lead, but Detroit's bullpen made things interesting in the eighth. <span>Joaquin Benoit</span> relieved Verlander with a runner on base after <span>Denard Span</span> reached on an error. Benoit walked <span>Joe Mauer</span> and <span>Justin Morneau</span> to load the bases, then gave up a grand slam to <span>Ryan Doumit</span> to make it 6-4. Doumit also drove in four runs in Minnesota's win over Detroit Friday.</p>
<p>Jose Valverde walked Span to lead off the ninth inning, but got the next three batters out.</p>
<p>The Tigers took a 2-0 lead early on a solo home run by <span>Prince Fielder</span> and an RBI-double by <span>Jhonny Peralta</span> in the second inning.</p>
<p>Detroit picked up four more runs in the eighth. <span>Miguel Cabrera</span> hit a 3-run home run, his 43rd of the year, tying him with <span>Josh Hamilton</span> for the league lead and putting him atop all three Triple Crown categories. Mauer, who Cabrera is trying to hold off in the race for the batting title, was 0-for-3 in the game.</p>
<p><span>Andy Dirks</span> hit a solo home run in the eighth.</p>
https://detroit.sbnation.com/tigers/2012/9/29/3430178/tigers-vs-twins-detroit-picks-up-game-in-standings-with-6-4-winPatrick Hayes2012-09-29T14:58:57-04:002012-09-29T14:58:57-04:00Verlander takes hill for Detroit against Minnesota
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blessyouboys.com/">Detroit Tigers</a> will look to ace <span>Justin Verlander</span> to get them back on the winning track on Saturday afternoon when they take on the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.twinkietown.com/">Minnesota Twins</a> at Target Field. </p>
<p>Here's the Tigers' lineup for Saturday: </p>
<p><a href="<blockquote%20class=%22twitter-tweet%22><p>Today's%20lineup:%20Jackson%208,%20Berry%207,%20Cabrera%205,%20Fielder%203,%20Young%20dh,%20Dirks%209,%20Peralta%206,%20Avila%202,%20Infante%204.%20Verlander%20is%20starting.</p>%E2%80%94%20Brian%20Britten%20(@BBritten_Tigers)%20<a%20href=%22https://twitter.com/BBritten_Tigers/status/252073682426544128%22%20data-datetime=%222012-09-29T15:53:43+00:00%22>September%2029,%202012</a></blockquote>%20<script%20src=" charset='"utf-8"></script>"'></a></p>
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<p>Today's lineup: Jackson 8, Berry 7, Cabrera 5, Fielder 3, Young dh, Dirks 9, Peralta 6, Avila 2, Infante 4. Verlander is starting.</p>
— Brian Britten (@BBritten_Tigers) <a href="https://twitter.com/BBritten_Tigers/status/252073682426544128" data-datetime="2012-09-29T15:53:43+00:00">September 29, 2012</a>
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<p>The Tigers lost 4-2 to the lowly Twins on Friday night, and with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.southsidesox.com/">Chicago White Sox's</a> victory over the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.draysbay.com/">Tampa Bay Rays</a>, saw their lead in the American League Central trimmed to just one game. Having Verlander on the bump should be a huge boost, as last year's Cy Young winner as been lights out once again this year. Heading into Saturday's start, he holds a 16-8 record and 2.72 ERA. He leads all of MLB with 231 strikeouts. </p>
<p>Slugger Miguel Cabrera will continue his chase for the Triple Crown against Twins starter <span>P.J. Walters</span>. Cabrera currently leads the A.L. in batting average and RBI, but trails <span>Josh Hamilton</span> by one home run. </p>
https://detroit.sbnation.com/tigers/2012/9/29/3428774/tigers-twins-lineups-2012Jason Patt2012-09-29T14:15:18-04:002012-09-29T14:15:18-04:00Tigers' Scherzer '50/50' for final start of season
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<figcaption>Dave Reginek - Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Max Scherzer is "50/50" to start in the team's regular season finale next Wednesday against the Kansas City Royals due to a shoulder injury. </p> <p><a href="https://www.blessyouboys.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Detroit Tigers</a> manager Jim Leyland is unsure whether starting pitcher <span>Max Scherzer</span> will be available for his final start of the regular season next Wednesday against the <a href="https://www.royalsreview.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Kansas City Royals</a>. Scherzer has been battling a deltoid strain in his throwing shoulder.</p>
<p>In a <a href="http://www.mlive.com/tigers/index.ssf/2012/09/detroit_tigers_jim_leyland_not_3.html" target="_blank">report from Chris Iott of Michigan Live</a>, Leyland said there's a "50/50" chance that Scherzer goes against the Royals on Wednesday. If the hard-throwing righty is unable to go, <span>Drew Smyly</span> will take his place. Smyly started in Scherzer's place on Friday night in the Tigers' 4-2 loss to the <a href="https://www.twinkietown.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Minnesota Twins</a>.</p>
<p>The Tigers are currently fighting for their playoff lives, as they hold a slim one-game lead over the <a href="https://www.southsidesox.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Chicago White Sox</a> in the American League Central. If the Tigers are in or out of the postseason by the time Wednesday rolls around, Scherzer will not pitch. But if it's a must-win situation, Leyland may be more inclined to throw Scherzer out there.</p>
<p>Scherzer has been one of the Tigers' best pitchers, holding a 16-7 record and a 3.82 ERA. He's second in all of baseball with 228 strikeouts, trailing only teammate <span>Justin Verlander</span>.</p>
https://detroit.sbnation.com/2012/9/29/3428660/max-scherzer-tigers-probable-pitchersJason Patt2012-09-29T08:05:08-04:002012-09-29T08:05:08-04:00Tigers look to right ship in Minnesota
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<p>The <a href="https://www.blessyouboys.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Detroit Tigers</a>' lead in the A.L. Central was sliced to one game on Friday after they lost to the <a href="https://www.twinkietown.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Minnesota Twins</a> and the <a href="https://www.southsidesox.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Chicago White Sox</a> picked up a win over the <a href="https://www.draysbay.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Tampa Bay Rays</a>. Saturday brings another opportunity for the Tigers to inch toward the playoffs by defeating one of the worst teams in the American League.</p>
<p>The good news for the Tigers is that they'll be throwing ace <span>Justin Verlander</span>, who has been typically stellar down the stretch this season. Verlander has faced the Twins once this season, giving up one earned run and striking out seven in a complete game four-hitter on July 4.</p>
<p>The flipside for Detroit is that they'll be facing Twins starter <span>P.J. Walters</span>, who has been dominant in three starts this year against the Tigers. In those starts, Walters has given up only six earned runs in 18.1 innings. The Tigers, though, have totaled 25 baserunners in those innings and have only struck out ten times.</p>
<p>First pitch on Saturday is at 4:05 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on FOX.</p>
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https://detroit.sbnation.com/tigers/2012/9/29/3426676/tigers-twins-preview-mlbJordan Sargent2012-09-28T23:18:38-04:002012-09-28T23:18:38-04:00Octavio Dotel's arm is sore, Jim Leyland concerned
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<p><span>Octavio Dotel</span> pitched one scoreless inning for the <a href="https://www.blessyouboys.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Detroit Tigers</a> in Friday's 4-2 loss to the <a href="https://www.twinkietown.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Minnesota Twins</a>. He only threw 11 pitches (nine of them strikes) in that inning, but Jim Leyland elected not to bring him out for another inning of work, and <a href="https://twitter.com/Chris_Iott/status/251879626362716160" target="_blank">Chris Iott of MLive.com reports that Dotel's arm wasn't feeling right</a>:</p>
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<p>Octavio Dotel was removed due to a sore bicep. Jim Leyland said he is concerned. <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23Tigers">#Tigers</a></p>
— Chris Iott (@Chris_Iott) <a href="https://twitter.com/Chris_Iott/status/251879626362716160" data-datetime="2012-09-29T03:02:37+00:00">September 29, 2012</a>
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<p>Dotel, however, seems less concerned, <a href="https://twitter.com/Chris_Iott/status/251880849597939712" target="_blank">according to Iott</a>:</p>
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<p>Octavio Dotel said he doesn't think his sore bicep will be a problem. Hopeful that he will be fine tomorrow. <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23Tigers">#Tigers</a></p>
— Chris Iott (@Chris_Iott) <a href="https://twitter.com/Chris_Iott/status/251880849597939712" data-datetime="2012-09-29T03:07:28+00:00">September 29, 2012</a>
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<p>Dotel, in his 14th Major League season and pitching for his 13th different team, has a 5-3 record with a 3.70 ERA for the Tigers this season. He has pitched in 55 games and struck out 62 batters in 56 innings.</p>
https://detroit.sbnation.com/tigers/2012/9/28/3426582/octavio-dotels-arm-soreness-has-jim-leyland-concernedPatrick Hayes