Game 26- Twins at Tigers

This game was the wrap up of a quick, 2 game series, in Detroit against the Minnesota Twins.

Last night Detroit just could not get any offense going and lost 7-2. Jackson pitched well through the first 6 innings, as he did in his last start. However, in this game he came out to pitch the 7th and it didn't go well. He pitched to 4 batters and all four got on base and Cuddyer drove the first 3 home with a bases clearing triple. Jackson was charged with 5 earned runs in the 6+ innings he pitched.

His supporting offense was almost non-existent on Monday. The Tigers only managed 4 hits against Liriano, who looked much more like the guy who shuts teams down than the guy who had a 6+ ERA coming into this game. One of those hits was another Cabrera home run in the 6th, but there just wasn't enough there to overcome what the Twins put together.

Tuesday was an entirely different story.

Leyland really rearranged his line up for tonight's game. I don't know if he will stick with it, but it worked. Carlos Guillen, who had been fighting a sore achilles and apparently a sore shoulder, was put on the 15 day DL. Clete Thomas and Jeff Larish were brought in to replace him from Toledo. Clay Rapada was also sent to Toledo to make room.

The new line up looked like this:

1. Anderson lf (LH)
   
2. Polanco 2b (RH)
   
3. Thomas rf (LH)
4. Cabrera 1b (RH)
5. Granderson cf (LH)
6. Ordonez dh (RH)
7. Inge 3b (RH)
8. Laird c (RH)
9. Santiago ss (S)

People have asked, since spring training, when Granderson would move further down the line up. With the 8 homeruns he brought into tonight's game it made sense to see if he could bring some men home with him when he drove it out. Plus Josh Anderson is hitting .333 with an On Base % of .367 and 6 stolen bases in just 19 games, so putting him in the Lead Off slot seems like a safe bet.

Anderson had 2 hits, 1 run and 1 RBI tonight. In fact the top 5 of the order had 10 hits and 7 runs tonight.

The offense may have over shadowed the performance that Rick Porcello gave tonight, but that would be a shame. Porcello pitched 7 innings with 0 runs and only 4 hits. He had 3 Ks and 3BBs facing 25 batters. Robertson pitched a hitless, scoreless innings (although with 2 walks) and Rincon finished it off with 1 K and 1 hit.

As of right now (10:45pm) the White Sox are leading the Royals 7-6. If KC loses Detroit will be tied for 1st in the AL Central.

Go Tigers!!!!!!!!