2:06 Update:  Nick Punto has been scratched from the lineup with a strained right ring finger. Brian Buscher will bat seventh and play third. Brendan Harris will drop down to eighth and play short.  Punto, who is day-to-day, grimaced while taking a swing on Friday.

Detroit is a mess. Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick is fighting perjury charges. A local television anchor was recently suspended for her involvement in a sludge plant scandal.

There seems to be another casino open each time I come here. I almost bought it driving down I-75 to Comerica Park this morning because the drainage on the highways stink and there are puddles all over the place. Former NBA jumpshooter Dave Bing is contemplating a run for office so he can clean things up.

Then there’s old Tigers Stadium, which hasn’t been used since 1999 but is just being demolished now. I took a spin around the ballpark before Thursday’s game and became depressed. It was a great place to watch a game. The pressbox stunk, but I tried to sneak down into the stands once a series.  I’ve sat in the overhang in right. I’ve sat behind home plate, where the sounds bounced off the upper deck and created a wonderful atmosphere. I remember hearing Twins closer Rick Aguilera, who rarely gets mad, blow up at the home plate umpire about ball and strike calls. Tom Kelly’s only major league homer was hit in Tigers Stadium.

I also remember some chubby 13-year old taking early batting practice with his father and hitting bombs into the seats. That kid now is playing first base for the Brewers.

I was mad at how old Comiskey Park was torn down, one side at a time. I thought I was watching an amputation. But occasionally driving by Tigers Stadium over the past 10 years has been much worse.

But I leave you with this as the clubhouses are about to open.

John Lowe, longtime Detroit Free Press baseball writer, is well-respected among his peers. His contribution to the game was creating the, `quality start,’ category.

In the middle of deadline last night, we found out that the White Sox had lost to the Rangers, allowing the Twins to move within 1.5 games of the Sox in the AL Central.

Lowe turned to me and held up five fingers.

“FIVE postseason appearances in this decade,” he said.

“Are you projecting a division title for the Twins this year?” I responded.

“I think it’s inevitable,” Lowe said.

Lineups

Twins (52-41): 1. Carlos Gomez, CF. 2. Alexi Casilla, 2B. 3. Joe Mauer, C. 4. Justin Morneau, 1B. 5. Craig Monroe, DH. 6. Delmon Young, LF. 7. Brian Buscher, 3B. 8. Brendan Harris, SS. 9. Denard Span, RF. Pitching: Scott Baker.

Tigers (46-46): 1. Curtis Granderson, CF. 2. Placido Polanco, 2B. 3. Carlos Guillen, 3B. 4. Miguel Cabrera, 1B. 5. Matt Joyce, RF. 6. Marcus Thames, LF. 7. Gary Sheffield, DH. 8. Brandon Inge, C. 9. Ramon Santiago, SS. Pitching: Nate Robertson.

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