Game 91

The second series of the second half opens up just like the first, with the Tigers facing another team looking to make a case to be included in any postseason discussion. The Twins send Matt Garza to the mound for his second start of the year. Last he was credited with the win in a Twins 9-5 victory. Overall his stats are typically of a rookie pitchers first year in the league. In 8 innings pitched so far this season he has yet to allow a run, and has struck out 7. But 6 of those inning were against the slumping White Sox. He has given up 7 hits and walked three, so if any team could take advantage of him, it would be the Tigers. The key for the Tigers will have to be getting more than 6 innings out of Nate Robertson, something that hasn't happened since the last time Nate faced the Twins in April.

Line-ups:

Detroit (54-36)
C Granderson CF
P Polanco 2B
G Sheffield DH
M Ordonez RF
C Guillen SS
I Rodriguez C
S Casey 1B
M Thames LF
B Inge 3B

Minnesota (49-43)
L Castillo 2B
J Bartlett SS
J Mauer C
M Cuddyer RF
J Morneau 1B
T Hunter CF
J Cirillo DH
J Tyner LF
N Punto 3B


Pitchers:
Tigers - Nate Robertson LHP (5-6, 4.92 ERA)
Twins - Matt Garza RHP (1-0, 0.00 ERA)

Post-game:

Tigers 1 Twins 0

After games like this I feel more confident about the Tigers keeping their lead in the AL Central. The Tigers only managed 4 hits (I know the box score says five, but Marcus Thames hit Luis Castillo in the Chest with a soft line drive yet it wasn't an error..) yet still came up with the win. Not only did Nate Robertson get in seven innings there were 7 outstanding innings. The key moment of this game was the 6th, with one out Nate gave up a hit and a walked a batter to have two on for the heart of the order. He struck out Joe Mauer and Michael Cuddyer to end the inning, and for good measure stuck out Justin Moreneau at the top of the 7th. Curtis Granderson continued his ridiculously hot second half streak, going 3 for 3 with a double.

Tiger Hero:
The Pitchers. In addition to Nate Macay McBride pitched a scoreless 8th, and Todd Jones pitched a 1-2-3 9th to preserve the shutout.

Tiger Zero:
Pudge. 0 for 4 with 3 K's. Everyone outside of Granderson struggled so I guess I'll pick on the guy that swung and missed the most.

Tigers Record:
W - L
55 - 36
1st Place AL Central (Cleveland 1 GB...2 if Chicago wins it in extra innings)