Thursday: The Eye of the Tigers
Posted on July 10th, 2008 – 9:00 AMBy La Velle
Detroit has won three straight and 10 of its last 14 and will not concede the division. “We’re no different than any other team,” Tigers manager Jim Leyland said. “If you play nine innings you have a chance.”
The Twins should be a little ticked off for this series after getting swept by the Red S0x. The offense let them down on Monday. The bullpen blew up on Tuesday. Then came the gangster-slapping on Wednesday.
There were other problems. Livan Hernandez is 7-1 at home. On the road? Yuck. And the baserunning should have been a lot better. The Twins will have to clean up their game against the Tigers.
Miguel Cabrera, the Tigers’ slightly husky first baseman, hit two homers on Wednesday, including a walk-off, and is batting .343 over his past 26 games.
The Tigers sent righthander Eddie Bonine to Class AA Erie after the game as oufielder-first baseman Jeff Larish, who’s batting .265 with 17 homers and 53 RBI at Toledo, rejoins the major league club.
Brandon Inge has been recalled from his rehab assignment and catcher Dane Sardinha was designated for assignment.
Also, the demolition of Tigers Stadium has begun. It’s about time. There’s no city in America that lets old buildings waste away like Detroit. It’s a shame the city couldn’t find a way to transition the park into something useful. At least 90 percent of the place will be recycled.
12:22 update: Michael Cuddyer’s finger problem won’t go away, which puts the Twins in a little bind. Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said he hoped to send Cuddy to the minors during the All-Star break to get a couple swings but he can’t grip a bat yet. There’s also some soreness in the palm of his hand. So everything is on hold until Cuddyer can at least hold a bat.
Joe Mauer is getting a day off. Mike Redmond is batting .429 against Kenny Rogers.
Adam Everett was 1 for 3 on Wednesday for the Twins’ Gulf Coast League team as he works his way back from shoulder problems. He’s still a ways away, and he’ll probably get some time at Class AAA Rochester before the Twins figure out their next move with him.
Tigers shortstop Edgar Renteria injured his left hamstring while running to first base yesterday and is out.
Lineups
Twins (50-41): 1. Carlos Gomez, CF. 2. Alexi Casilla, 2B. 3. Mike Redmond, C. 4. Justin Morneau, 1B. 5. Craig Monroe, DH. 6. Delmon Young, LF. 7. Brendan Harris, 3B. 8. Nick Punto, SS. 9. Denard Span, RF. Pitching: Kevin Slowey.
Tigers (46-44): 1. Curtis Granderson, CF. 2 Placido Polanco, 2. 3. Carlos Guillen, 3B. 4. Miguel Cabrera, DH. 5. Mat Joyce, RF. 6. Marcus Thames, LF. 7. Jeff Larish, 1B. 8. Pudge Rodriguez, C. 9. Ramon Santiago, SS. Pitching: The Gambler.Â


