Detroit manager Jim Leyland praised Twins lefthander Brian Duensing after the rookie went 6.1 innings during 3-0 loss to the Twins.  Detroit was 26-19 against left-handed starters before the game, but Duensing was solid, working in and out and changing speeds like a polished pitcher.

 “The combination of that and us not swing very good, he was excellent,” Leyland said.

That led to his main concern, the season-long troubles with the Tigers offense.

They entered the game 11th in the AL in runs scored  - they actually are sixth in the league this month in runs scored with 73, nine runs more than the Twins.

But the Tigers were shut out for the fourth time this season, the last two times by the Twins. The other came Aug. 8, when Carl Pavano made his Twins debut in an 11-0 win. Friday’s game probably had Leyland flashing back to many games this season in which the Tigers offense sputtered.

He pointed out how two of their four hits off Duensing didn’t get out of the infield.

“We haven’t hit a lot this year,” he said. “Time for the stars to shine. That’s the way it is down the stretch. Have to step it up. It’s going to take everyone contributing.”

The chances of things turning around Saturday don’t look good. Pavano is 4-0 with a 1.48 ERA against the Tigers this season.

Detroit will start ace Justin Verlander, who’s 16-8 with a 3.34 ERA. But he’s 0-1, 5.11 against the Twins this season and 4-5, 4.08 against them in his career. Verlander is winless in his last two starts and gave up five runs, including two homers, in his last start on Monday against Toronto.

Joe Mauer is a career .400 hitter against Verlander with 2 homers, 7 RBI and six walks. A healthy Justin Morneau will be missed. He’s .300/.400/.633 against Verlander with 2 homers and 4 RBI.
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