Ronnie I'd say they're ready.
Here at the Metrodome.
Nasty weather outside.
Thank goodness there's a dome.
It's 44 degrees and raining
outside 68 very comfortable
inside.
As the Minnesota Twins hope to
continue their 2009 season with
a date with the Yankees with a
victory in Game 163 today third
member of our broadcast team
this afternoon Craig Sager.
Hello Greg.
Well thank you.
That's right first baseman
Miguel Cabrera has issued a
statement admitting he was
involved in a domestic incident
last Saturday morning.
He says it is a personal matter.
I am sorry this has become a
distraction.
I apologize for the target my
teammates and all the fans.
I appreciate it if you respect
my family's privacy as I prepare
for our next game.
Now according to Birmingham
Michigan police chief Richard
Patterson he was taken into
custody Saturday morning after
his wife called 9 1 1.
And although his blood alcohol
level was nearly three times the
legal limit according to
Patterson no files no charges
were filed because of several
reasons.
One they could not determine who
was the aggressor.
There was no weapon in the
house.
And the third thing was that
they said that after he went
that no prior history they would
let him go if he's released
today.
Don Brodsky the general manager
of the Tigers manager Jim
Leyland says I hope this is not
a distraction.
I will not comment on anybody's
private business.
Craig thank you very much
certainly not the way the Tigers
wanted to enter this game 163
run with everything on the line
for the Tigers and the Minnesota
Twins.
Here's how Jemele Lin's club
lines up Curtis Granderson
starts and center.
Plus know Polanco bats and plays
second a resurgent Lee or Don
yes.
Is it right.
Miguel Cabrera the cleanup man
over at first base Carlos key
and the designated hitter Ryan
Rayburn getting the start in
left today with Brandon edge.
Jared Loughner is the catcher
and Ramone Santiago hitting
seven eight and nine for Detroit
Scott Baker on the mound for the
twins of 15 and 9 record this
year beat the Tigers in his last
stop.
Look at Baker stats this year 15
wins after a really slow start
he was asked how he would do
tonight.
He said I'm healthy I'm ready
I'm on my normal rest I feel as
good as I've felt all season why
wouldn't I pitch well well
here's the scouting report and
Scott bakery beat Detroit five
days ago but only went five
innings through 105 pitches as
he struggled a bit giving up an
earned run tough at home last 13
starts here they've won 10.
The Minnesota Twins and the slow
start this year two and five in
the beginning since July 12th.
Walton for Baker ahead of Curtis
Granderson the tiger leadoff man
who's hitting but to forty eight
this year still with 30 home
runs seventy one runs batted in.
Ronny a lot of strikeouts and
for Granderson are very low on
base percentage really different
than he was a few seasons ago
especially those seven fly ball
center field playable for Denard
Span that's how big the pitches
in this ballpark.
He's one of those guys he's very
sneaky has a little hitch in the
way he pitches throws a lot of
high fastballs and he's very
sneaky fast 254 fly outs this
year for Scott Baker That's
number four.
Number three sorry in the
American League so he gets
Granderson to stay at the game
now Placido Polanco the Tigers
second baseman.
Blanco just seven for 33
lifetime against Baker but does
have 10 homers in 72 RBI Jim
Baker's guy that started in
spring training he was going to
be their number one this year
came out of spring training on
the deal because the shoulder
and really had a tough goal in
the beginning but now has been
very sharp a lead for Ron Gordon
hires club want to run for
Garten hires team winning 16 of
their last 20 and doing it
without Justin Morneau to extend
their season with a win today.
If the Tigers win they go to New
York.
If Minnesota wins they go to New
York.
Loser goes home.
Very simple.
They played awfully well in his
stead 16 in force since he's
missed 20 games.
But I'm sure they'd love to have
more snow out there.
Another late swing by Polanco
fouled on the right side.
Huge crowd here at the
Metrodome.
They had over 50 one here for
the final regular season game on
Sunday and they've raised the
curtain in the upper deck to
accommodate all the Minnesota
baseball fans who want to come
see this game 163 today.
How about this double dip report
card last night for the Vikings
and the twins going for the
Central Division tonight.
First Strike Out of the game for
Baker and Polanco a very tough
man to punch out well.
Defense is always important for
the Minnesota Twins young span
and cool in the outfield and
then the youngster Tolbert with
Cabrera to go gloves and
shortstop photo good dyer at
first base and of course Joe
Mauer won Gold Glove only other
Minnesota catcher never win a
gold glove so badly in 1961 and
62.
And that brings up a resurgent
Maggie or don't you.
Is it really has been a tale of
two seasons for the Tigers right
fielder really struggling in the
first half of the season but
since the All-Star break hitting
almost three 80 for this tiger
team and asked 22 hits in his
last forty two at bats when the
games have meant the most to
Detroit Jim Leland was talking
about our donors he said early
in the season he had a note that
he was feeling for the ball.
And now he's gotten so much more
aggressive which is the way he
hits donors stays alive.
There are a lot of theories as
to why Magliozzi struggled in
the first half the WBC was an
issue his contract option was an
issue his wife was very ill and
all of those things have been
resolved very favorably for
Maggie Oregonians now and he's
really taken off in the middle
of this tiger lineup.
And he stays behind in the count
no balls two strikes but I've
seen it already from Baker this
twins staff Blackburn.
Baker whoever they throw out
there slowly in the beginning
who now has been injured and had
to have an operation they throw
strikes most amount of walks
numerically 460 fly ball right
field playable for curveball
he's got three up three down for
the Tigers and the top of the
first there was the mighty
Mississippi here in downtown
Minneapolis Tigers failed to
score in the top of the first
and now we'll see if the baby
faced right hander Rick poor
solo can pitch Jim for the
Tigers today.
Well he has been outstanding all
season long.
You see that kept us innings
down and it's gotten to port
establish both fastballs to
foresee when the two seamer gets
a lot of ground balls big game
Rick this catcher Gerald Laird
has said that he's 20 pitching
like he's a 30 year old and he's
getting stronger five to his
last twelve starts bouncing ball
handled by Miguel Cabrera at
first that takes care of Denard
Span and that'll certainly I
would think calm down for slow
one pitch and one out here in
the bottom of the first inning
for the twins their lineup span
first Orlando Cabrera big hit
pickup for them at shortstop Joe
Mauer on the cusp of a batting
title is hitting third.
Jason copeland right.
Michael Kidd dire at first.
Coleman Young had a very big go
home stand for the twins.
Jose Ramos the D.H. Tolbert and
Punto the last two for
Minnesota.
If your heart and on your team
you've got someone in your
rotation that pitches awfully
slow don't be alarmed.
This young man Rick Purcell
pitches incredibly quick keeps
all his field is in the game.
This is a lot of ground ball.
And look at the Adelaide swing
from Cabrera on a 94 mile an
hour fastball Ron Garton higher
couldn't say enough good things
about Orlando Cabrera and what
his acquisition has meant for
this Minnesota club.
You have to remember garden
guard is an old shortstop and he
knows how to scout these players
and all of us know that Cabrera
has been a winning player in the
postseason four of his last five
seasons.
Knows that too.
And it allowed him to move Nick
Punto to second base which made
their middle infield defense a
whole lot better.
As you mentioned Caparas played
in postseason before but he's
also become kind of a Latin
liaison for this ballclub a
terrific guy that Garten higher
can go to and have Cabrera
counsel some of these young
Minnesota Twins the bouncing
ball hit on a towards short
Santiago there's that second
ground ball out from Rick Pau
solo to down the defense with
Detroit Ravens playing left
field because of that large left
field Gary Anderson and or
doughnuts in San Diego falafel
and compare the four time
All-Star behind the plate coming
over from Texas was Gerald
Leon's got a nice job for this
tiger team crowd chanting MVP
for Joe Mauer who hits with the
bases empty here in the first
inning to put in perspective
Mauer can go all for seventeen
and still win the batting title
over each year are you expecting
extra innings tonight.
No I don't like his chances an
awful lot about that our catcher
winning another batting title.
Well neither you or I or from
this area but he's got to be the
closest thing to the natural.
Here in Minnesota blind in his
center field to face him.
GRANDERSON will try to come.
Is going for two.
Here's the problem.
It's like the Metrodome and Joe
Mauer synonymous with line
drives and a great chance by
Mauer right there on the slide.
Drivers could see on the
pinstripes cuts with a little
bit too much on the plate.
Also up in the strike zone
yourself who likes to pitch down
and the smart player that Mauer
is he takes that chance with two
outs to try to get the scoring
position just under the floor
get Granderson.
That brings up Jason Curveball
who has had an unbelievable run
to three homers in his last six
hits eight RBI is over his last
13 at bats and with Michael Kidd
and moving to first base it's
cool that's played right field
and is really hugely protected
Joe Mauer also catches the
inside corner well to put in
perspective what kind of second
half Ron Gardner hires right
fielder Cumulus had that fifty
seven RBI is in the second half
only country Morales of the
angels and mark the share of the
Yankees have had more vested
towards shore.
Santiago makes the running catch
and that retires the side goal
line softly to short and we're
scoreless after 1 scoreless game
as we move along to our second
inning of play.
Let's check out the umpiring
crew is assigned by Major League
Baseball for today's game.
Randy Marsh calling balls and
strikes Dale Scott Jerry Lee and
Gary cedars drama on the
infield.
They do have outfield umpires to
field and cobras down the left
field line.
BRUCE Rickman in right.
This is still considered a
regular season game a playoff
game.
Yet baseball has a playoff
umpiring rotation in place here
at the Metrodome.
There was a precedent set years
ago to have the six umpires so
they just continued with that
Miguel Cabrera leads off the
Tigers second and lunches one
out of play or a strike.
With all due respect to the fans
in Minnesota a lot of fans in
Detroit think this man's the MVP
of the American League.
Thirty three homers one hundred
one knocked in I think did both
come from the same stock.
He and Mt. Hood both on teams
that have had struggles
throughout the entire season but
they have been consistent and
let's face it.
Cooper has been there from day
one Mauer of course missed some
time early in the season.
It's hard to believe there is
only 26 years old.
He's one of those guys you think
has been in baseball for 10
years.
I do think the more difficult
position with catcher those more
impressive with what Mauer has
done three wins this batting
title which he will three
batting titles one has only been
three.
The entire history of Major
League fisted foul backed by
Cabrera who stays alive.
Ernie Lombardi won a couple fly
ball hammered left center field
and that's trouble.
That's going to get down and
bounce off the fence.
And Miguel Cabrera glides into
second with a lead off double
good start for the Tigers here
in the second.
That ball was crushed.
Chip he's about as good or right
handed hitters you're going to
see in the American League.
You watch his pitch tracks.
He tries to get the ball inside
does not.
The ball is down enough but it's
out over the middle of the play
career is so strong.
The most one handed he can hit
that into the gap that snaps and
0 for 14 slide for Miguel
Cabrera bookend hits both of
them against Scott Baker.
So this is an important sequence
for the Tigers an early run for
the visitors.
Rodney is huge in this place.
It's huge and with Carlos giving
up one of those veterans you'd
like to see him try to get the
ball and move the runner along
with the base hit sometimes even
making an out early in the game
can get Cabrera to third base.
It's been an injury plagued here
for Carlos given shoulder
problems have limited his
hitting mostly to the left side
of the plate.
I talked with Lloyd McClendon
about that the tiger hitting
coach who said he can't hit
right handed if need be.
But much better from the left
side right now a little nerves
here early for Mr. Baker he
knows this is a big sequence.
Early in the game he's trying to
pitch in to stop him from
pulling the baseball at least
trying to pop him up these
managers go through the entire
year 162 games still that play
one more but that's what makes
it fun.
As we say on TNT with the NBA
winner go home that's the task
for the Tigers and twins today.
And I headed to count two balls
no strikes fly ball center field
Denard Span has it.
Cabrera thinks that tagging
can't move up not a productive
at bat for gay and that was a
nice counter their spin was a
very good arm covers a lot of
ground in center field.
See compare goes back to the
base but nice formed by span
getting behind that baseball
getting some movement momentum
towards third base.
No chance for Cabrera to
advance.
So Ryan Rayburn stands and he's
the tiger left fielder today.
Jim Leland offered his
explanation as to why Rayburn
starting well one of the reasons
sorry Chip as he hit two home
runs on Sunday.
But he has a much better
defensive player in left field
and the left field here probably
is the largest field to cover in
the Metrodome but it takes a guy
like Marcus Downs puts him on
the bench for home runs and 26
at bats against Scott Baker So
that tells you what Leland
thinks about defense here in the
Metrodome.
Well no strikes.
Cabrera let off with a double to
left center and he stands at
second with one out fisted into
a shallow right to the ball
can't get there plays it on a
big hop and the Tigers have him
at the corners with one out so
Rayburn keeps up his hard
hitting a Blue Pit to right has
Detroit in business for Brandon
Inge here in the second well
sometimes the pitcher makes the
pitches Baker does it on the
hands of Rayburn but just strong
enough to get that over the head
a punter played nicely by Coble
there and one hop to keep
Cabrera from scoring career of
course had to go half way.
Well here's a spot for Baker a
fly ball pitcher where he would
dearly love to get the ball on
the ground with Brandon Inge up
there he's hitting the 12 double
plays this year and he's been
playing all season long with a
chronically hurt and he takes
high type for ball one hitting
two thirty with twenty seven
home runs most of that damage
though Ronnie Dunn well before
the All-Star break he's hitting
only a buck eighty seven in the
second half of this year.
Well people always talk about
hitters and when they do not
have their legs it's bad for
their defense and running is bad
for the hitting.
Also they don't have that
foundation or base Randy Marsh's
reputation behind the plate is
here.
Hitters umpire or a pitcher's
umpire is absolutely a hit or
some pyre.
You'll see on the pitch tracks
as balls right down the middle
catches a big part of that
strikes on the first pitch in
the sequence was also a strike.
So Randy has a very small
strikes on always has so I think
in the long run might work a
little bit against Baker who
needs some of those called
strikes yourself.
On the other hand a ground ball
pitcher he can just throw the
pitch catch more of the plate
and put the ball in play shot
and that's a problem that's
plagued the tigers all year
long.
Runners in scoring position
situations big hits have been
tough to come by.
Well think about it this way.
Chip the offense sometimes give
it and sometimes take it the way
Raeburn with the little shot in
the right field but here a line
drive off the bat.
Right at Cabrera makes a nice
play in the whole there has been
has had a bulky hammy he not
been able to cover as much
ground but he's one of those
short subs that makes all the
routine plays so the two time
gold glove award winner comes up
with the biggest out of the game
so far for Minnesota.
Now it's up to Gerald Laird
hitting two hundred this year
with runners in scoring position
and two outs popped him up and a
shadow left young coming on
Cabrera's honor and no trouble
with the roof.
Baker allows a leadoff double
and pitchers out of second
inning trouble.
Well the great thing about
Orlando Cabrera and why he's a
winning player is that when you
have even the simplest of plays
just this little pop up and the
inning you know what he does.
He takes charge because in this
Metrodome people sometimes tend
to look to the other guy to try
to catch a ball.
Anything in the air here you
know your kids in the buddy
system everyone come together
make sure you have a friend and
try to both of you look for that
ball in that white Metrodome sky
so fine play by Orlando Cabrera.
Baker pitches out of a big
second inning massive lead off
double left stranded by the
Tigers and Michael could dire
digs in for the first time.
Well you talk about a leader
this Minnesota ballclub from Ron
garden higher on up or on down
whichever way you want to look
at it they have pointed to what
this man has done with Moreno
going to the shelf being hugely
important for this twins run.
Well I think the key is the
power that he has so home runs
in the second half this year.
Pigeon Morales again the leader
with 19 with the Dyer had 18
tied with the sheriff and I
think that is the key.
When you lose more know you lose
a lot of power.
Not only did Godiva jump in
there and get hits.
There's Justin right there.
But he also hit for power and I
think that was the key.
And there's 16 for Ron and as
important as the offensive
production has been.
You've made the point a couple
of times today the kinds of
players the twins want to have
pitching defense today has not
made an error since moving to
first base and a chopper hit
toward injured third convenient
and cadaver is out number one in
the second Marcello indeed
getting the ground ball outs
early that's three so far in
today's game.
Gellman young bats for the first
time he and Jason Koogle had
themselves quite a week for
Minnesota.
Major League Baseball announcing
yesterday that Dillman young and
Jason Kubo were co players of
the week in the American League
young hit safely in all seven
games had five multi hit games
hit 448 scored six times that
has an eight game hitting streak
entering today's tiebreaker
against Detroit early in this
game.
Both pitchers are throwing
extremely hard aren't they.
Hitters a bit behind in the
count behind on those fastballs
young chased a high hitter from
poor solo his first strike out
of the game that was nasty too.
Well yes the forcing fastball
that he can ride throw 93 94
miles an hour but lives with his
two seater but when he gets
ahead occasionally he can get
that strikeout like he did with
junk.
The X Factor for sell so far
delivering early 14 wins for
Rick poor solo and a strike two
designated hitter whose aim
around us 316 is his average
with seven runs batted in this
year was a good change for
personnel.
The great thing about Rick shear
has done with all the coddling
of base pitchers throughout
baseball his last four starts
he's gotten better two in one
year eight under three as his
innings have come up he's gotten
better can't pitch much better
than he did in the second two
straight strikeouts in three up
three down scoreless game after
two at the Dome Well it's two
straight years Ronnie for the
twins playing an extra game to
determine their playoff fate I'm
sure they'll be in it next year
and if the weather's like this
target field's not gonna be an
awful lot of fun place to be.
It's not but it's not a fun
place so far in these
tiebreakers for Minnesota they
haven't scored yet 11 straight
innings now without scoring a
run they were shut out last year
by the White Sox and John Danks
Scott Baker out for his third
inning of work facing Ramone
Santiago the shortstop he's hit
him well has Santiago six for 15
to me the pressure is on the
Tigers early and I think what
happens I'm sorry on the twins
early because the longer they go
into this game being tied or
close to tigers they've got to
feel really good about their
chances of getting a bloop and a
blast with all the power that
they have I mean the key is they
stay close they'll take this
crowd kind of subdued a little
bit that's why an early run for
the Tigers very very important
especially the way Pau seller is
pitching you mentioned he's
really stepped up span charging
gets the ball out takes care of
the Tigers shortstop Ramone
Santiago.
Well they have to center
fielders for this Minnesota
Twins team that can cover a lot
of ground.
You just saw Spaniard Carlos
Gomez who sits on the bench.
Both amazing defensive center
fielder span the better hitter
Curtis Granderson flight out to
open the ball game.
He loves hitting in this
ballpark a career 300 hitter at
the Metrodome with seven home
runs and 40 lifetime games left
handed hitters feast in this
place with the baggy and right
three hundred twenty seven feet
down that right field line
popped up.
Left side.
Can anybody get their young on
the run and has no place in the
twins bullpen.
Well that was very interesting.
All three the shortstop third
baseman and the left fielder
lost that ball for a matter of
seconds.
By the time they picked it up I
was able to fall in.
So even the home players
unguarded I was saying that
other teams come in here they
play very nervous.
He said my team plays nerves too
just a little less nervous
letter high at ninety three just
missed two balls at a strike.
There's Maggie or don't.
Yes he will hit next for Detroit
begonias in the hole I beg your
pardon Polanco will hit next we
base simply and one out
scoreless game third inning.
You know when you watch Joe Ma
catch at home folks he's 6 5 230
power what do you want your
catchers as a low target to be
very quiet back there.
I'm getting quite an my watch
him give the signs and the ball.
He waits for the ball to come to
him.
He doesn't stab at the baseball
rip fell big Hank by Curtis
Granderson.
Granderson has been a tough out
on the road this year series 30
home runs for leadoff hitter
which is extraordinary but 20 of
them have come on the road.
First walk of the game from
Scott Baker now a chance for
Granderson to create a little
havoc on the base paths with
Polanco up and one man out see
the pitch count so far pretty
good.
Strike the ball ratio.
Good for Scott Baker.
Polanco a tough man to strike
out did strike out looking his
first at bat of the day.
He's only struck out forty five
times in six hundred thirteen at
bats this year.
Cuts under that pitch ball one
note they do love to do with him
even though brandish in speed he
can steal the bag by himself.
They love to hit and run with
Polanco he's got that kind of
stroke that he almost looks
likes to serve the ball to right
field naturally Yanks at Ball
Well foul and out of play.
Well Iko grew up on the cardinal
system a 19th round pick back in
June of 1984 made his first
appearance in the big leagues in
1998 with St. Lewis then went to
the Phillies who traded him to
the Tigers Ramone Martinez and
guess Urbina in June of 2005.
All the different signs you're
getting from Maui just not my
grandson to look in and steal a
sign undergoes round ball hit
toward second flipped a second
not in time to get the running
at first.
Does Minnesota wow was that
slick from Punto to Cabrera
Detroit stays out of the double
play by sending the runner and
nearly still Minnesota almost
able to turn two.
You know it's probably a choice
that Pluto would like to have
back.
He is very slick but with the
fast running Granderson really
want to get him off the bases.
Pluto thinks he can turn to but
see that toss is too high.
Cabrera had to come off the
base.
He only got out of first base
which is a good thing.
But now you have the fastest
runner of the Tigers in scoring
position.
So that's a 4 6 3 put out of
Polanco Granderson at second
with two outs from Bagley or
donors who flat out his first
time up again an early run for
the Tigers would be very very
big.
You know this is big for the
Tigers.
You know everyone knows the
numbers that have happened they
were leading their division by
seven games after the games on
September 6.
They've seen this kind of
freefall.
They've lost a three game lead
with four games to play.
And here you are still have a
chance one game to race all of
that misery.
Line drive into center field
that's in for a hit.
Here comes Granderson.
He's going to score.
And the Tigers have an early
lead.
He's been a different players
since the All-Star break.
Jim Leyland said he saw you hit
the ball aggressively not a bad
pitch as far as down in the
strike zone but not too much in
the middle of the plate.
And Granderson who was not a
race that second base now scores
this one good hitting by Don.
Yes who and RBI situations loves
to go to right and right center
forty ninth RBI of the year for
or don't.
Yes now Miguel Cabrera that's he
doubled to lead off the second
inning.
Tigers this year.
Fifty five and 30 when they
score first they've done so here
in Minnesota it's a great
equalizer the crowd was early
leave a deafening silence this
season ago was very economical
in giving up home runs right
handed hitters only 11 2008 this
year and three intermediate bats
twenty one home runs was given
up to the right handed hitter
towering fly ball center field
will hit span going back at the
wall it's long gone.
The Tigers have scored three and
there is dead silence here in
the Metrodome and after a
controversial weekend for Mr.
Cabrera he's come out swinging.
Little breaking ball in the
middle of the plate.
And with that standing at the
plate he knew it was gone as
soon as he hit it three runs on
the board early for the Tigers
so Cabrera with a double and
Minnesota in a deep three
nothing hole here at the
Metrodome and the home field
advantage that is this Homer
hanky waving crowd is gone at
least for now.
That's up and away from Baker to
ski in two balls in a strike.
Twenty year old Rick Corso has
been handed a three run lead in
the biggest game of his
professional career.
And that's lying out of play.
Let's check in again with Craig
Sager.
Greg a chip you're talking about
rip or solo after he gave up
that double to Joe Mauer in the
first inning he came in and meet
with the manager Jim Williams.
That was my thought.
That was my fault.
I threw a bad pitch.
My fault my fault went over and
sat down to the dugout just went
about his business.
Also you can hear some of
Tiger's not too impressed with
the fact that Minnesota he's 16
and for the last 20.
They said three of those four
losses to the Tigers and the
lions den they do all the damage
in this third inning a one out
walk Minnesota can't turn two
and the Tigers scored three.
Miguel Cabrera a mammoth shot in
the third inning gives him a
three nothing advantage.
My name is Miguel Cabrera at
least so far today.
Two for two and a towering two
run home.
Now Rick poor solo has a very
nice three nothing lead with the
lower portion of his twins order
up Well the most important thing
for any starting pitcher is
after your team is scored some
runs it's called the shut down
any you come out and put up a
zero before these Detroit
starters the best of the lot.
This this 20 year old four solo
three point five eight Verlander
and Jackson about a run higher
the one thing he cannot afford
to do is start walking people
with this lead.
He's behind in the count two
balls and a strike to Matt
Tolbert now three in one Tolbert
a prototypical Minnesota Twins
player.
It takes a lot of pitches.
Very talented players
defensively he's gonna become a
very good hitter on Gordon Hira
said and I think the key for
happens for especially young
pitchers.
Having the veteran pitchers to
when he gets some runs you start
to think a result.
Boy if I get five minutes now
we're looking pretty good
instead of contrail hitter to
hitter.
That's a fair ball and great
play throw the first infield
hit.
Well his knees might be sore but
I'll play all season long.
Brandon Inge shows a toughness
that this tiger team has gets
down and dirty with a good throw
to first base from his knees.
And just Tolbert of course a
little too fast.
That's all the way in foul
territory.
Luckily Tolbert had that speed
great diving stop by Brandon
injured third saves an extra
base hit until the second
baseman will try to move along.
Matt Tolbert from first to Utah
is one of those guys who doesn't
hit too much.
He doesn't do too much as far as
the score card or the box score
is concerned.
The run Gardner Gordon Harris
said I just got a bunch of
ballplayers bunch of baseball
players and when you hear
managers talk about their power
their speed their relief
pitching you very rarely hear a
manager say I have a bunch of
ballplayers a lot of ballplayers
lots of guys that take the extra
base guys and know when to steal
a base like Joe Mauer guys a
throw to the cutoff man backup
bases all those little things
that you love to see Pluto does
all of those spades that's off
the plate.
One ball two strikes and there
is a Minnesota way to play and
if you can't play Minnesota
baseball whether it Tom Kelly
managing this club or Ron garden
how do they do kind of moving
along.
You can go to another place.
And Punto down on strikes can't
move up.
Matt Tolbert one on one out big
three run lead for Rick Pau.
Jim Leland says that's awfully
important.
Well I mean you got to leave
there's no question about that.
But you know this place still
got a lot of baseball to play.
We just got to keep it.
You know we've got to have some
runs for more on Jimmy Cabrera
that's how he set the ball all
season long hasn't he.
Yeah well he's you know put
particular in a ballpark like
this.
I mean that was a long one but
you know you can hit it over the
bag in a heartbeat.
So you know you've got power all
fields.
He's really a good hitter for
this part.
What's the difference between
Mangini or don't years before
the break and after a real
tentative early on the season
lately more much more aggressive
those two big poppers in the
middle of the tiger lineup have
accounted for all the RBI is
today.
Jim Leland very happy about
that.
But he's right.
A lot of baseball left in this
ballpark with this Minnesota
team.
Well on one out Denard Span bats
hit the first pitch to first and
was retired Denard Span
certainly would be his speed a
tough runner to double up but
none better than yourself.
24 has induced 24 double play
grounders this season he's hit
the other way by denied span
tying run to the plate for the
twins with one out in the third.
And here come the piranhas and
here come the rankings I said
you got to hit a soccer ball.
This is the only way you can hit
them.
You have to go the other way.
Any time you try to pull it
becomes ground ball up to ground
ball to the second baseman.
Nice sitting by spin around the
point that Jim Leland made just
a second ago about the twins
here eight times this year.
The twins have come back from a
three run deficit or greater to
win five times as happened here
at the Metrodome and Orlando
Cabrera with that 15 game
hitting streak.
Dixon.
His old ripped straight back.
We welcome you to the Metrodome
in Minneapolis with Ron Darling
and Craig Sager.
Chip carry with you.
Game 1 63 of American League
Central Division play a Detroit
Tigers lead by three nothing
score to be a hit for Maggie or
John yes and the third.
And Miguel Cabrera two run homer
all right center has accounted
for all the scoring so far.
Rip Torn right A.J. snugly or
down yes back to the edge of the
track and tagging from second is
Tolbert.
He's on his way to third and
will make it without Cabrera
flies deep to write runners at
the corners.
For Joe Mauer just the little
things here you can see how this
ballpark place got hit for well
by the Camaro got almost to the
warning track.
It went back attacked up now a
third base case the pass ball
while pitch Lefty had to sneak a
run Joe Mauer missed the first
month of this season.
After missing the first month
was a home run.
Now he's really changed is that
his first five years in the big
leagues the average home on
every bout 50 at bats for less
than 50 at bats this year every
eighteen point six at bat bats
so he has increased his power.
Good move by Purcell at the
first it's not the whole package
this young man pretty good at
holding runners on.
That's a real idea about how to
field this position.
Great future.
Forty one pitches so far.
Not feeling very deep it and hit
it every way.
Well that's the choice you have
Jim.
Are you going to pitch them out
even though you have three run
lead or are you going to pass it
two outs.
Looks like right now being very
careful is Marcello that Joe
Mauer because in these big games
your big players you should come
up big.
JASON ON DECK ball gets thrown
away runner from third get a
score Homer comes home in a bad
break for Minnesota that ball
hit Jerry White the first base
coach so there is a gift it's a
3 1 game and a lot of attention
to not a big lead there off
first base.
UCLA carried off the runner hit
Jerry White very good move here
by the pitching coach for the
Detroit Tigers come down and
really settled down his young
pitcher a lot of times with
runners on base and the big
hitter up.
It's almost like you don't want
to face the hitter you want to
try to pick someone off just by
him hits Jerry White with that
Karen.
Well luckily Tolbert paying
attention at third base saw the
can and with the hustle play it
was not a victim there at home
plate Rick Knabb for twelve
years was the minor league
pitching coach co-ordinator with
these twins so he knows this
Minnesota club exceptionally
well.
Such a calmness.
Tomorrow when he's at the plate
curveball hit a soft line drive.
He's short that Santiago caught
with Mauer at second base.
Two outs in the first inning and
he has really hit poor central
hard.
He has eight Marcello who's
working very quickly in the
first couple of innings now has
really slowed down his tempo
juicing a lot more breaking
pitches early in the count which
is making him get behind in the
count.
Louisville a 12th round pick by
the twins who in 2000 at a South
Dakota 27 home runs are hungry
to knock down this year.
Knowing the importance of this
game generally Linda has not
hesitated to get his ball cap
and how about poor solo he
strikes out Cuba and leaves two
runners stranded only.
His error has a lot of Minnesota
run to score.
We go to the fourth inning
nothing like a little emotion
from a young 20 year old who
just got a huge out.
Well after making that an error.
Nice to see Pau Salo shown that
emotion.
He wants to be in this ballgame
with a sleep and he took care of
Jason global with two on two out
to end the Minnesota third his
lead trimmed down to 3 to 1.
If Ryan and starting things off
for the Tigers popped up out of
play over our heads to even
account Rayburn a fifth round
pick by the Tigers back in 2001
Jim Leland telling us before the
game the big left field and the
fact that he's been very hot at
the plate is why he's getting
today's start you know in this
offensive minded world.
It's nice to see that been
getting the lineup sometimes
because you play both sides of
baseball.
Hit it and catch it Two balls
two strikes lie over short and
ray burns two for two today.
Good start for Detroit in the
fourth inning protecting a 3 1
lead and Ron Gordon hire the
Minnesota Skipper.
I'm not real happy that Miguel
Cabrera is red hot today.
I think we're seen that a couple
of them get hung a slider there
and he hit it off those seats
out there.
The first one looked like not
that bad of a bitch and he
yanked it out in the gap.
One of the things we don't want
him to beat us with a man on
first he's trying to be careful
but he's a good hitter and you
hang one he's going at it.
Carney is awfully proud of this
team the entire season
especially the way he went to
the whip the last three weeks.
Yeah we've battled he battled
really hard and to get to this
point and these guys there's no
giving up and we got done quick
but we came right back scored a
run.
We'll see what happens there.
We've got a good good bunch of
guys here that really get after
it.
What do you think it takes so
far he's missing misfiring a
little bit but you know what
he's he's competing.
He just has to keep the ball
down and make his benches and
execute him a little better.
So leadoff hit has Rayburn a
board and now the middle of the
Minnesota infield along with Joe
Mauer.
We'll talk on the mound and that
allows Bobby Keppel a chance to
start to loosen in Minnesota's
bullpen.
Well it's part of being a
leader.
Two reasons one.
Cabrera and Mauer come out there
to me one to talk to Baker try
to settle them down.
It's not getting a lot of calls
from Randy Marsh but also that
little time spent on the mound
his blobby couple a few more
pitches to get loose just in
case Baker can't make the
adjustment.
Three runs on five Detroit hits
so far in this game.
Anybody out one on fourth
inning.
Well if he's missing he is not
missing by much.
It's to be very frustrating
you'll see in the pinstripes
here.
I thought that pitch was a
little away.
Well seeing the pitch stretch
you just missed the call by
Randy Marsh to see Rick Anderson
the pitching coach coming out to
speak to Scott Baker.
But you're not going to get
those calls from Randy Marsh on
the corners.
He's one of those umpires that
has a real strict kind of strike
zone.
So what you have to do is the
adjustment you make is true.
Throw more strikes early and let
the people put the ball in play.
I think that's the key.
And he's known for throwing the
highest percentage of strikes
back was second behind Roy
Halladay almost 70 percent of
his pitches are strikes not that
way this evening even I should
say this afternoon this is a
very strange time so the meeting
a brief one two balls no
strikes.
Granted Inge Packer a fly ball
pitcher would love a ground ball
out a chance to turn to in this
game Metrodome is going away and
with it going the relief
pitchers warming up on the field
and foul territory.
That's something you don't see
anymore with the new ballparks
that call right there is to find
out Mr. Keppel is ready.
Whatever happened to just
tipping your cap long time ago
time to balls and strike and
check to swing.
Good enough Dave even the count
two and to see that pitch count
now creeping up for Scott popped
up as we told you at first base
defensively and it pops out so
he's 0 for 2 and Gerald Laird
the catcher digs in for Laird's
done a wonderful job for this
Detroit ballclub behind the
plate.
One of the best throwing
catchers in the American League
too.
He's probably not going to win
the gold glove because the guy
that squatting next to him for
our four Minnesota Laird is
thrown out more base stealers
percentage wise than any other
Catcher in the American League.
Forty one percent nearly 40 to
what I think though Jim Leland
and Rick Knapp love about child
Laird's way calls a ball game
the way he really works with
these pitchers like from Landor
Edwin Jackson Rick settle
they've all had fine years.
That doesn't come in a vacuum.
You need a catcher to help you
along all those strikes the
Tigers fifth best DRC in the
American League four point to
nine coming in.
A lot of that having to do with
Justin Verlander and his huge
strikeout year Edwin Jackson a
great pick up in that deal with
the Tampa Bay Rays or solo quite
obviously 14 wins their bullpen
has been awfully good and that's
fisted toward third should be
too.
Here's why.
Rayburn at second old fashioned
baseball right there folks final
regular season game in the
history of the Metrodome.
Will there be more baseball here
this October.
Well the twins have to come back
for that to happen 3 1 Detroit
leads them.
Rick Purcell just keeps on
pouring strike after strike.
Tiger now Michael could dire
behind 0 and 2 but for solo
really was responsible for his
own undoing.
First unearned run is allowed
since July 5th and that was
against the same Minnesota Twins
ballclub from poor sellout a
throwing error when he tried to
keep Denard Span close at first
baseman Mauer in the batter's
box threw the ball away.
Tolbert came home on the air and
that's the only Minnesota one so
far on the afternoon.
Tigers got three runs in their
third inning.
The big blow a McGill Cabrera
Homer not sure if the young man
from Seton Hall Prep New Jersey
for solo really the Tigers had
to improve their starting
rotation.
And this year they went from
11th in 2008 to third and they
reduced three R.A. almost a run
because of poor who did really
thought was going to start and
double a dire swing at the wall
and was thrown out by Gerald
Laird strikeout number five in
the game for poor salon.
Good start in the fourth inning.
But it's really interesting.
Jim Leland has been very
protective of Rick Portillo.
He started the year very slowly
for this tiger team and gave him
16 days off around the All-Star
break where they pretty much
shut him down didn't let him
pitch and the reason for that
poor still hadn't worked.
More than one hundred twenty
five professional innings this
kid was pitching in a ball last
year in Lakeland they kept him
coming into the start at about
one hundred and sixty five
innings and that guy Leonard and
Randy Marsh behind the plate.
Oh and to I think that's been
the goal of a lot of teams as
you see both Leonard and Randy
Marsh trying to shake it off
this fall ball by young as the
top of the glove of Leonard and
the mask and then with the
rebound off the mask Randy
Marsh.
He came back and hit layer.
It really is the state of the
game right now.
Chip is that if you have young
pitchers as a check on Larry
there try to limit their enemies
in their first couple of seasons
and it's really a dramatic
difference between the way say
the Tigers have handled Rick
Purcell and the Yankees have
handled Joba Chamberlain.
Well I think they were trying to
do some of the similar things
here we go with the foul ball
again.
No it hits the side of that mask
it really jars that mask all the
round your face for Randy Marsh
both shaking up young down two
strikes he struck out his first
time and it's a 95 mile an hour
fastball.
This is the most famous of it of
course is the job of rules that
are New York because it's in New
York but every team around
baseball is trying to limit the
innings of their young pitchers
especially a guy they thought
would start and double it popped
up right side Polanco has no
trouble.
And quickly two outs well 111
pitches for a poor slow in his
last start.
No ill effect so far from him
today forgetting that he had
never been he's pitched I think
the command and control he's
gotten ahead he's walked only
one guy throwing errors the only
reason Minnesota's on the ball
to those 111 pitches that you
said Chip were the most he's
thrown all season long so a
manager with a young pitcher to
go that long tells you the kind
of confidence he has in him
Here's Jose Morales and he
swings late balls out of
strength the winner of this game
gets the Yankees in Game 1 of
the division series we
understand that Joe Girardi
earlier today announced that
they would play Game 1 tomorrow
to determine which series they
which wish to play and poor solo
another strikeout six of them in
the game he's pitching beyond
his 20 years today folks three
one Tigers lead I about you.
I'm glad we're inside a nasty
day in the Twin Cities the last
couple of days here in October
and the Detroit Tigers as we
said earlier in the lion's den
today up three to one middle
innings now fifth inning
Santiago Granderson Polanco
coming up blows a huge inning
here for Baker because if he was
able to go one two three through
this lineup won't have to face
all Tonya's Sorry won't have to
face maybe Miguel Cabrera with
some people on on the basis
outside the count to Santiago 1
and 2 Jim Leyland had a choice
today whether to play Santiago
at shortstop or Adam ever it but
you never know about the chess
match between the two managers
as this ball popped up toward
third Tolbert drifting out in
foul ground and takes over Adam
whoever it used to play for
Minnesota now plays with the
Tigers.
Let's send it down to Atlanta
and Ernie Johnson Ernie thank
you very much.
Journey.
Top of the order Curtis
Granderson is up and how does
the injury to de la Rosa affect
the Rockies in their first round
matchup.
Well it's definitely going to
affect him.
He was outstanding just from
that left handed compliment to
Ubaldo Jimenez but now moved up
on the change.
Maybe Aaron Cooke who missed a
lot of time in September.
He might have to make a start.
Course Jason Markie is another
one that's suffered a little bit
in September but he's a great
veteran his pitch in the
postseason avoided the Rockies
give the Los Angeles Dodgers
everything they could have
possibly wanted in that chase in
the National League West the
Rockies at one point were 15 and
a half games behind Los Angeles
took it to the final Saturday
before things were decided for
L.A. of course all the playoff
phone starts tomorrow here on TV
yes with a triple header three
balls and a strike at the
Rockies and the Phillies for
Citizens Bank Park right and I
will be in New York for the
winner of this game and the
Yankees and the Cardinals and
the Dodgers from Dodger Stadium
popped up again right side could
die two pop outs from Baker in
this Detroit fifth inning.
MLB on deck with Calloway 30.
Boomer Wells and Dennis
Eckersley begins at 2 o'clock
Eastern in Game 1 Phillies and
Rockies Yankees will play
tomorrow night and then the
Dodgers and Cardinals a triple
hitter as we said Captain Morgan
presents our inside MLB
beginning here on CBS line drive
softly hit center field span
can't get at a bloop hit for
Polanco.
Now the Tigers have a man on
board exactly Randy what they
want with the big boppers coming
up.
Well the big boppers in or don't
and Cabrera have driven all the
runs for the Tigers in this game
so far joining us with a single
of course a two run home run for
Cabrera but the RBI from or
don't you.
So Jim Leland told us has been
very aggressive in the second
half and it's really showed that
his RBI output and also his
batting average he's won 4 2
with an RBI Polanco back at
first it's tough enough to win a
major league game but you gotta
think about what this game would
mean for the city of Detroit
their fans.
We all know the economic
miseries that are taking place
in Motor City with the auto
industry.
How big a lift emotionally with
the Tigers advancing in this
game mean to Motown.
Listen sometimes what happens
when you have these kind of
teams a community can really
rally around the team and
certainly they've done that with
the Tigers this year you can
only think of 1968 when they had
all that racial strife from
Detroit and they rallied around
that team that year.
Those 68 Tigers hard hit ground
ball to short Cabrera has got it
force at second retires the side
and we are halfway through
regulation play at the Metrodome
with Detroit leading by two only
one man in baseball history has
been younger than Rick poor
sallow and start a tiebreaker
ball game.
That was Ralph Branca and it
happened in nineteen forty six
he was twenty he was twenty
eight days younger than Paul
solo when he started and lost
the opener of then best of three
series against the Cardinals
that year and a three game
playoff that decided the
National League Championship and
a poor seller with a lead in the
bottom of the fifth inning and
the bottom the order up and Matt
Tolbert and he just continues to
blaze the baseball he has struck
out seven he has struck out four
of the last five he spaced Well
you watch him today Rick
yourself is really a ground ball
pitcher he had 81 strikeouts one
hundred sixty five innings pitch
coming in but this extra
adrenaline pitching this
Metrodome has been going to that
fourth seamer more and that's
the reason he's got those seven
punch outs Gerald Laird his
catcher said that when I catch
poor solo sometimes I forget
that he's twenty years old he
pitches like the guy was five or
six years experience I with Jim
Leyland said to he may get beat
Jim said but he's not going to
be scared he's not going to beat
himself and I think that's one
of the keys for young pitchers
only one walk the twins a little
taste of their own pitching
medicine so far in this game as
Rick poor solo one strikeout
away from his season high of
eight ball as short hops and
quickly two are out here in the
fifth inning and the other big
story the Metrodome.
It is a non factor right now.
Think about it.
You said the grown up quickly.
Here's a guy that should have
starred in double play there the
Russian because they had
rotation problems.
He won 14 games.
Don't forget he had a game in
Boston where he hit UCLA's had
to get suspended because it was
charged the mound.
So he's gone through a lot of
different things for a youngster
now 10 and I'm sorry in
Lebanon's pitch against the
Twins the last two starts.
Big start's only giving up one
earned run as bases after two
outs in the top of the order
Denard Span who bounced to first
and a single today.
Minnesota offense which has been
so red hot the last three and a
half weeks just three hits so
far in this game one unearned
run has scored for him it's nice
to see young players kind of
grow up in front of your eyes.
No that's all we're seeing from
yourself tonight.
16 and 4 in Minnesota run
they're averaging over six runs
a game.
Hoping they have a date in New
York tomorrow night.
Popped up shadow right center
out goals Polanco he makes the
catch calls off Santiago.
Tigers have played the roof very
well and Rick Purcell in
command.
He's retired seven straight Ron
Darling Craig Sager chip Carey
five complete Scott Baker has
had trouble with one man in this
game and it's the man in the
batter's box Ron how does he
approach him this third time
through the order.
Well he hasn't done enough
inside that's the team with
Cabrera is that he can cover any
part of that outside plate Jim
Moon told us that he can knock
it over that bag at any time.
How do you counter that.
You have to throw the ball
inside not one pitch yet from
Scott Baker inside Cabrera here
we go and it jammed in round
ball to third Tolbert.
Got it worked out nicely for the
twins first time he retired.
Very good.
Paul Romney won out it's a very
strange game baseball the more
dangerous the hitter the more
you have to pitch them in.
You can if the crowd them so
they can advance on the ball in
the outside part of the play are
low in 0 4 2 as fly to center
and has struck out saw the
Tigers earlier this year and
they were struggling so mightily
on offense and a lot of folks
were hoping that Detroit would
make up a make a trade at the
trade deadline to acquire a bad
and pulls one out of play foul
Jim Leyland said well getting
key and back and healthy from
those shoulder problems will be
like us making a trade and he's
come back but it doesn't seem
like he's been healthy all
season long remember this Tigers
team released and let Gary
Sheffield go in spring training
because they needed room on that
D.H. for players like in broken
bad pop up the right side of the
infield Kurt Dyer is under that
productive look in the middle of
his tiger lineup and you saw him
on this and why with the Nets
all year long Gary Sheffield had
a resurgent year in the National
League he really did and he
played a fantastic baseball
early then the injury bug kind
of hit him which happens to a
lot of 40 year old sluggers and
didn't play a lot down the
stretch but here's Ryan Rayburn
he's had a fine day today
rewarding Jim Leland is faith in
him with a 2 4 to day and this
one popped up left side foul
ground Tolbert under staggers
grip makes the catch Well Rob
garden higher said Baker just
needs to execute his pitches.
He's doing that.
And the big boppers are up next.
If there's been a magical inning
for the twins this year it has
been the sixth and Cabrera Mauer
and curveball are coming up
against Rick Posada who has sat
down seven consecutive men well
their fans must know because
they've scored the most runs in
the sixth inning had the twins
one hundred and twenty three and
they only need two to tie this
one today but also helps in the
six when you're starting Cabrera
and Mauer comes up I mean that
always gives you a little better
chance although Pau slow so far
doesn't really seem to have any
dent in his armor one ball two
strikes to Cabrera a 15 game
hitting streak.
Yes this is a regular season
games so that streak still
alive.
The one thing if you poor so you
don't want to get away from Chip
said he has been at Ground ball
pitcher's entire season this
year.
You start to fall in love with
strikeouts and start trying to
go for those punch outs that one
puts you sometimes in harm's way
elevating the ball fly ball
center field Granderson should
have no trouble the big first
out in the sixth inning eight up
a down for poor solo Cabrera 0
for three Here's Mauer he's
doubled and he was rocked in the
third inning.
Now we're almost certainly has
clinched the batting title at
three sixty five with that first
inning hit.
How you talk about a lot of
ballplayers whether the Colorado
Rockies or they play in certain
ballparks that augment their
numbers.
We'll talk about consistency
which every pro tries to seek.
And road 326 with thirty six
home runs on at home.
Sorry for Joe Mauer three twenty
seven thirty six months on the
road pretty means for a pretty
amazing player and Joe Mauer is
in select company when it comes
to those catchers winning a
batting title bubbles Hardgrave
was the first he did it with the
Reds in 1926 Ernie Lombardi won
two batting titles in nineteen
thirty eight in nineteen forty
two with the Boston Braves Mauer
couldn't win and will win his
third title going along with
browns in 2006 2008 dominant
player at his position burden
check his swing and he's down on
strikes and that ties a career
high for a poor sell Oh that's
his eighth and he sat down nine
consecutive twins again we talk
about that for seamer that he's
been throwing all night long and
a little extra adrenaline for
Mr. Portillo has racked up the
strikeouts even against the best
hitter in the American League
and swung so fast that he didn't
get a chance to ask you how his
bubbles Hardgrave to work with
that's Eugene Franklin to you
Chip nineteen twenty I'm old but
not that old here's Curveball as
hard as he's been it's been a
tough day for him he's stranded
Mauer in the first and left two
on in the third and he drives
one deep to right field to ball
bounce out of here people had
chances with a couple of runners
on base in its first couple of
bats.
Here with the bases empty
catches a changeup up in the
strike zone and a long home run.
That's the one thing about
having this place filled with
fifty two thousand plus it gets
really warm in here and the ball
jumps and this is the point that
Jim Leland made with us in our
station with him in the third
inning.
The importance of continuing to
add runs in this ballpark with
this pesky Minnesota team as
dominant as poor Cielo has been
retiring nine in a row.
With that home run Minnesota's
down only one and he once does
Jim leader Zach is could either.
He's off for two well in their
World Series in nineteen eighty
seven in nineteen ninety one.
Well how about this weekend the
home run hit by Michael could
die or in a game against the
Royals and Zach drinking.
Minnesota had a big lead gave it
away until this blast.
Well this is what has happened
for both the dire and football
really hit a home run tonight.
They have hit big home runs and
on a day on Saturday when they
were record against the al Cy
Young Award winner they're able
to get a win in Iowa a board
with two outs Joe Terry told us
this past weekend Ronnie out in
Los Angeles the most difficult
inning for a major league
manager is the sixth.
How long do you stay with your
starter five innings and two
thirds of brilliant work with a
season and career high eight
strikeouts for the Detroit
Tigers.
He will leave with the lead.
Zach Minor is on okay.
Thank you very much.
The X Factor for the Tigers was
Rick Vassallo.
We talked about that in the open
Ronnie.
He was marvelous.
Now minor on Zach Minor
protecting a one run lead but
he's really been their swing
man.
You can see the numbers here on
first pitch strikes.
He has 50 games this year five
starts last year started 13
games two seasons ago 16 games.
He's a guy that can give you
some length out of the bullpen
but Mr poor cell represented
himself very well.
Two starts against Minnesota
coming down the end of the
season 12 and innings only two
home runs.
Here's Delmonico fly ball softly
hit center field Granderson
playing deep can't get there.
Twins have him at the corners
with two well a pretty good
pitcher from minor and the
outside part of the play.
Maybe just a little luck.
Don't get it off the end of the
bat drops in front of Granderson
once turn here by Michael Godiva
to go take that extra base.
Twins do that as well as anyone
in baseball.
Brendan Harris is going to get a
pinch hitting opportunity.
You got to quit this chip to
nerves coming in the balls must
be inside and not even close as
it hit.
HARRIS The guy that stands well
off the plate Rick after
pitching coach of the Tigers is
going to have to go out and talk
to Zach Minor who just a little
nervous here coming in with this
big crowd.
We all said how would poor self
handle this crowd.
Well he quieted them but Zander
might have had to come right
into the middle of the lion's
den as she called it.
And everybody in this crowd
standing largest crowd in
Metrodome history fifty four
thousand eighty eight.
And no place to put switch
hitting man told her until
couples home run in the sixth
inning.
Tolbert was the only.
Fly ball slicing down and lying
near their seats Reverend with
that good speed almost was able
to make a great play but you
have to contend with these ball
pens on the field there at the
Metrodome pitch a little change
up that he throws left handed
batter but now has gotten him in
trouble not able to locate that
pitch.
You would think that Tolbert
here same place hitter is going
to get a fastball but the two on
one count filled with only one
two three.
Zach Minor high fly ball center
field Granderson drifting back
has room.
He's got it.
And this side is retired twin to
love the bases.
They score again in the sixth
inning.
Jason curveballs Homer brings
him to within one run heading to
the seventh just a wonderful
ball game as you'd expect here
through six innings of play.
Rick poor Salo and Scott Baker
dueling Minnesota's close to
within a run three to your score
and Baker back out there for the
seventh inning and the lower
portion of the tiger order.
Coming up in NJ we'll start
things off.
He's all to and this is a spot
Ron where Ron Gordon hire told
us earlier this year in New York
there was a time where he was
practically begging his starters
to take the ball into the
seventh inning this year and all
kinds of injuries.
Kevin slowly a 10 game as he
thought NJ went around.
Well let's see here in just a
small crowd him.
Boy that looks like a swing to
me.
Winds don't get that call
haven't even count an inch pops
it up they've been popping the
ball up a lot here in the middle
innings and no play at first or
Michael Dion or Baker and made
32 starts coming into this game
chip and he's gone seven innings
more and 10 of his starts so
he's the guy who has the ability
to do that take the ball take
the game deep still a nice job
hasn't after coming back after
the Cabrera home run.
He literally was skating on thin
ice of being out of this
ballgame to hits over his last
three innings after the rough
third frame for the Tigers and
he's been able to pitch a little
more effectively as you said
inside of these tigers.
Well you're gonna have to tie up
these right handed hitters
because they just have too much
power and you reiterated before
twenty seven home runs for
Brandon Inge didn't get the
corner full count three balls
two strikes that's hammered out
a play by Brandon ends story for
the twins when they get a
quality start there thirty seven
games over five and a quality
start means the starter hasn't
Yaari of 450 or less six or more
three earned runs or less than
they used to be something that
used to be laughed at.
But in today's game it seems to
produce winning results for
ballclub coaches a lead off lock
in the seventh inning and now
decision time for Ron Garton
higher and the twins and the
decision is made.
Baker will leave after six plus
that's his second walk in this
game.
Big crowd at the Metrodome will
rise and applaud Scott Baker's
effort.
He leaves trailing the Tigers 3
to 2 yes indeed it's back to
back years for the Twins game
one sixty three and it seems
Ronnie like they're all one run
affairs just a couple of years
ago in the Mile High City of
Denver Colorado the Rockies and
the San Diego Padres.
Well Jimmy Carroll with the
sacrifice fly into to this day
no one knows if that holiday
touch play.
It doesn't matter who's called
safe and then last season's
first in the game that the
Minnesota Twins took part in.
John thanks was outstanding for
the Chicago White Sox.
Ken Griffey junior throughout
today or at the plate and A.J.
Brzezinski showed him the ball
and it was a Jim told me Homer
that scored the game's only run.
It was a blackout game see all
the White Sox fans with black
shirts 1 one nothing was the
score and a diving catch sealed
the deal for Chicago.
And another one run game here
tonight in Minneapolis 3 2.
Your score is big right hander
John Roush on the catcher Gerald
Laird up and you know Laird not
afraid to lay down a bunch ten
sacrifice buttons so far this
season.
John Roush all six 11 over
required on Aug. 28 from the
Arizona Diamondbacks.
Good move by Roush Right there
what you want to do if there's a
threat of a bunch.
Let's make sure you throw one
ball over maybe the bat and
Leonard will tip his hand very
shortly there is the bunt
attempt and the ball is well off
the plate while ball strikes
Laird as popped out hit into a
double play talk about Bunning
sacrificing Jim Leland a
longtime National League manager
this tiger club fifty three
sacrifices that's the second
highest total in the American
League.
Well it can go either way.
He can play the American League
Baseball looking for a three run
home run but also can play that
naturally grant which he's going
to do now.
Third baseman Tolbert it's got
to come in a little more.
Try to take that bunt away in
just not running great right now
might be hard to get an easy out
a bat popped up.
It's a beautiful turnabout fair
play action.
Remember Minnesota.
Try to squeeze but against the
Tigers popped into a double play
before winning the game late
John Ross throws very hard and
that's coming from an angle at
six foot eleven and Laird could
not square that bunt get it down
on the ground easy pop up easy
play for good dyer the good
hustle by Roush has been a big
acquisition no pun intended for
this Minnesota bullpen made a
big pitch against Kansas City
this past weekend that got him
out of a mess and here he is now
with the double play in order to
keep the Tigers ahead by only
one run nationally he's been in
Arizona Diamondback and boy has
he been good in the American
League in that National League
all those years sometimes just
change leads leagues chip can
the element of surprise have
gotten back fly ball left center
field that's slicing away from
Spann but look at him covered
ground he ran a 50 yard fly
pattern and track down that
drive off Santiago's back to the
way he ran it in about 4 9 2
just the outstanding jump by
Denard Span ran to the right
spot and really made a tough
play looked very easy on guard
and higher with the applause as
he reaches the mound he'll look
up take the ball from John Roush
he retires the two man he's a
side Curtis Granderson is in the
batter's box for the Tigers two
outs top of the seven in
Minnesota OK Ernie thank you
very much.
Hopefully tomorrow's games will
be as exciting as this one as
Hosam Harris is on for John
Roush 71 games now for the
Minnesota left hander and
certainly at the center of
things at Comerica Park last
week.
Well yes he was and Ron Gardner
of course has said that he was
starting to get run down a
little bit but he would use him
in tonight's ballgame if he had
to 71 games now fifty five
strikeouts and sixty one innings
you see Maharishi thought that
was a strike look at that look
at the umpire Randy Marsh put
the lift of the facemask if you
see it on pinstripes look like a
pretty good pitch but off the
plate and Randy Marsh got it
right you said earlier he has a
very strict tight zone.
He's been very consistent I
think tonight yes at first for
Granderson that pitch twins fell
behind by three they've
scratched back to within one
need a good defensive stand here
in the seven to see Joe Morris
smart play here by Joe Morris
twice now they looked in it and
Randy Morris not a good thing to
do because you're not going to
open up the strike zone really
just have to concentrate on
trying to make your pitches
again another pitch just one
even worse than the first pitch
that Randy was shaking his head
you can have a few words for Joe
Mauer and Joe will try to be
like Dag Hammarskjold at the
U.N. just trying to make sure to
appease both parties dangerous
pitch.
The lefty lefty matchup erased
with a 3 1 count Granderson
hitting a buck 80 against
lefties this year.
Better at first goes as the
pitch pop foul.
And here is the incident we were
talking about last week.
My Harris pitching against the
Tigers in Detroit threw a ball
behind out of every Jim Leland
came out argue with Angel
Hernandez he was thrown out of
the ballgame and dumb and young
drilled on the late what was
interesting about this young guy
Madam Harris not the Tigers
rookie possibly a hurt leg but
their hot shot in a right
fielder base here Granderson
singles there at the corners
with two man out boy.
Nice and bad from Curtis
Granderson to drive and Paul
passed a dating Nick Punto good
hitting on this ball on the
outside part gets a little too
much of the plate up great on
the corner but up in the strike
song gets hit by Granderson and
Ron Gordon hire the manager for
the twins managing the seventh
inning like it was tonight.
So Baker began to frame Roush
Harris and now Matt career with
runners at the corners for the
Tigers looking for some seventh
inning insurance the games on
the base paths for the Tigers
here in the seventh inning they
lead at 3 2.
Let's recap the scoring for you
beginning for Detroit in the
third inning lead off walk then
a base hit to Mangini or
O'Donnell has brought home
Curtis Granderson with one out
then Miguel Cabrera stepped in
he launches one deep into the
night eight to run mammoth home
run hits for Cabrera in his
first two at bats and his three
nothing just like that a
throwing error by a Rick poor
solo in the third inning brought
home Matt Tolbert with the first
line of the game for Minnesota
and then in the sixth inning
Jason Cuba launches one into the
second deck in right field his
twenty eighth Homer and it's a
three 2 game with Matt career
on.
He too has been busy and he too
Ronny has been very good he has
been very good at product Kent
State University see the games
he's appeared and he's been his
good luck charm to that 5 11
record good he R.A. in all of
these pitchers for the twins
that come in very good at not
walking hitters said Polanco 1 4
3 hit last time up span playing
very shallowly right center
field now over a step or two
toward left his career delivers
outside to see the defense going
to make sure you have this
defense right because with
Granderson on first he might try
to steal a base here.
Be interesting to see if Mauer
throws through enough rep foul
pass.
Jean Lamont the Detroit third
base coach carrier acquired from
the pirates off waivers at the
end of the 2003 season.
Has really found a home in this
Minnesota bullpen fisted toward
short Cabrera's got it and the
ending is over two strands a
pair pairs seventh inning
stretch tie 3 2.
Tigers lead Minnesota down a run
they've got nine outs left the
fans believe as Nick puts out a
nine play nice play center comes
up for the Minnesota Twins out
to be worried for the Tigers
puts on one of those guys not
afraid to lay one down to start
out in any item and a reach and
they need a long ball to take
the lead here for Minnesota
they've got Cabrera Mauer and
Cuba working in this seventh
inning minor gave up a hit and a
hit batsmen before getting Matt
Tolbert to fly out to end that
Minnesota threat everybody up
everybody standing in the lower
portion of the Metrodome in St.
Lewis back in nineteen eighty
two is twenty seven came up in
the Braves system the Tigers
sent Kyle Farnsworth to Atlanta
in 2005 for Zach Minor and Roman
cologne you mentioned the fact
that a minor can pitch lots of
innings he grew up a starting
pitcher and that Braves system
they drafted in the fourth round
in 2000 you know Jim Leland is
hoping he can get through this
seventh inning without incident
then it's lion and Rodney for
the eighth and ninth ten here
southpaw in case there is
difficulty with Pluto this at
bat trying to willed himself to
first base the play found good
pal here at number seven between
Nick Punto and Zach Minor loser
goes home winner goes to New
York for game 1 of the American
League Division Series at 6
o'clock Eastern Time here on TV
yes will be the middle game of
our triple header game one has
the Rockies and Phillies game
three cardinals and Dodgers
Ernie Johnson will have the
pregame show at 2:00 o'clock
Eastern and out of pitching
decisions and Nick Punto line
drive off one at bat by Punto
Gardner said manager of the
twins we just got a bunch of
ballplayers and Pluto fits that
description.
Tough at bat inside out on that
fastball down and in from Zack
minor just gets it out of the
reach of Santiago so now Jim
Leland to the center of the
diamond 410 he was warming up
you've got Denard Span up in
what would appear to be Ronnie's
sacrifice situation.
So does he bring on needs based
span.
Or does he leave minor on to get
the out.
Well I think he's going to
definitely minor and what he was
really talking about was really
defensive positioning trying to
let everyone know what's going
to happen in this situation
which spans from minor knows to
expect that the bunt real great
thing about Minnesota now put on
first base that he is
outstanding in late innings the
seventh inning line is 10 for 10
in stolen bases with the right
hander minor instead of food
Tony.
The left hander might be to keep
him closer might be a chance for
football but spans gotta get
this ball down to your risk
running against your Laird who's
the best defensive catcher as
far as stealing is concerned in
the American League.
That's the question for Ron
Gardner.
Span 1 4 3 third base coach
Scott auger with the signs and
allowing the suspended if was
allowing him a strike and then
maybe we'll put the bunt on one
layer.
Like you said almost 42 percent
of the runners he has thrown out
trying to steal big league
surprise they don't but I'm
surprised they're not fun and
this will be one of those
decisions that managers make.
But you know you can't run on
Laird that we talked about with
his total has a great 10 4 10
was pretty quick to the plate
but not great.
This a good one for Punto to
look for ball in the dirt might
be other advance ball two
strikes told you the twins and
tigers both play national league
style of baseball Minnesota 50
sacrifices coming in to this
final regular season game.
Gordon hire is shown a lot of
confidence in his lead off in a
span who had 11 sacrifices this
year.
And he's down on strikes so
runner at first with one out and
Orlando Cabrera is the batter
all for 3 in the game trying to
extend a hit streak to 16 games
we'll see both Santiago and
minor talking over what they're
going to do with Potrero maybe
what sign they might use I think
the key though for every team
that Orlando Cabrera plays on is
a winning player and always
seems to get that big hit when
you need it.
They need it now.
He's flat out twice.
He ground it out in the first
inning against Rick Purcell who
was dazzling to Leland giving
Laird the science so many
options throw over a pitch out
high fly ball hammer deep left
field track well this is not the
match up that miner wanted or
Leland for four 17 now with
three home runs there's Mr.
Cabrera and another big hit
Metrodome mania for a three
Minnesota lead and Mauer takes
his shot down the left field
line and is down a quick strike
three Detroit Tigers took this
crowd out of the game for the
first three innings for the
Minnesota Twins have brought him
back in the seven and Mauer
thinking about two takes a
tumble and has to dive back to
first he was thinking double on
that face it rookie as electric
use for pitchers to get through
an inning Jimmy Leyland has
tried to stick with one and it
has not worked this chipping
going around that base is Joe
Mauer but love to see that kind
of hustle Jim Zack miner two
thirds of it inning for hits hit
batsmen.
A strikeout.
But Orlando Cabrera has to run
home run the biggest hit of the
year for Minnesota.
The twins waited four to three
you asked for a big hit from
Orlando Cabrera Minnesota and
boy did he come through in the
seventh inning to run shot into
the first row of seats.
Turns this game around.
Well just a hanging slider from
Zach Minor.
Orlando thought he got just
enough as he watches that ball
go over the wall in left field
look at his reaction.
Beautiful swing on that slider
full extension.
And even though the Minnesota
Twins haven't won a World Series
since 1991 18 years ago the
homer hankies they still work.
And so does the bad of Orlando
Cabrera who has plenty of
postseason experience was a
midseason pick up for this twins
ballclub.
The biggest hit of the year for
Minnesota puts him in front for
10 on now against Jason
Curveball who hammered at his
last bat.
Still only one out please see
his numbers this season very
fine job done by Tony Scott to
keep them close even though Mao
is not a guy who will steal a
lot of bases from the seventh
inning on ball no strikes in
Cuba left hand hitters back to
back.
But that doesn't bother Ron
Garten here.
He told us these guys hate
lefties very well so he's
content to somebody six mile an
hour breaking ball in for a
strike.
On the Taiwan left hander he is
known against a left handed for
using that big breaking ball not
a hard thrower at a spot where
the tigers really wish they had
Bobby C available to say he's
been banged up early is short
from the left side of that tiger
vortex so need a first S5 and
summon towering fly ball to
center field it's playable for
Curtis Granderson he makes the
catch and there is your second
out for Michael Dyer he will not
be allowed to face scrutiny and
here's how the Homer looked down
the left field line.
How deep did it go.
First row doesn't matter they
all count chef so Cuba flies out
tigers in their bullpen yet
again 4 3 is the score and
Brandon Lyon is on the face.
Michael could die here next.
Thank you very much Brandon Lyon
is on to pitch a late signing
for the Tigers Zach Minor has
had an awful day four hits Homer
hit batsmen in two thirds of an
inning and a home run he allowed
Orlando Cabrera right now the
difference in this game around
the line and forty six out he's
five and two for the one point
six one he arrived with Michael
Cardoza to default five off line
with the homerun big break the
ball as good dyer and quick one
strike call boy a real big
improvement for Lyon after the
month of May.
Well you see he is one of the
few relief pitchers.
Sometimes it takes a while to
get going.
His will for pitch pitcher who
comes in he's got a good cut
fastball straight fastball
overhand hook and changeup a
little square over the mound and
he nearly mistimed his job.
He takes care of Michael Dyer in
the seventh inning.
The twins have gotten homers in
each of the last two at bats.
Orlando Clipper puts him in
front for three as we eighth
inning for the Tigers and the
heart of their water comes up in
a one run game.
Defensive changes for the twins.
Carlos Gomez takes over in
center field Denard Span moves
from center field to the right
hand man career on with Maggie
or Don yes.
Miguel Cabrera and Carlos Ghosn
coming up and it is the first
two of these tiger hitters five
if not all the offensive damage
in this game.
This of course is going to be
the biggest setting for career
and the twins trying to get to
the meat of this order we are
starting with Dhoni is out with
a curveball in the first pitch
high fly ball that's belted deep
toward left track wall and we
are tied back.
Yes.
Watch as one to the left and the
Tigers are still in that take to
want to know try to come in with
a fastball yes was ready.
Leland talked about how
aggressive he's been in the
second half aggressive there on
that second pitch.
Reaction from that Tiger's bench
of course they're back in it and
watch the first pitch too.
Cabrera he's at nine home runs
this year on the first pitch and
a good idea there from the twins
reliever he's had a huge day at
the plate.
He's doubled he's Homer he's
knocked in two three tries
Bagley or don't is his back with
a vengeance well the times
average up on Scott Baker early
this was the biggest damage to
run home run from Cabrera.
That puts him up 3 0 but the
twins have fought back.
And now here come the Tigers
back on him again.
You know Detroit wants to keep
Joe Nathan out of this game
under any circumstances.
He's the twins closer and has an
unbelievable record against
Detroit round ball sharply hit
toward third Tolbert Scott Joe
Nathan is 30 for 30 and saves
against the Tigers listen choked
up and tired after 162.
Why wouldn't they be tired now.
Good point.
Here we are in the eighth inning
for four ball game as Nathan
watches and waits for his turn
today.
Here's Key and all four three
with a strikeout.
Again it's the long ball that
once more has taken the life out
of this Minnesota crowd.
This ballpark when they have
54000 in it and the record crowd
as you mentioned chip ball just
travels in here and we could see
from the left field that or
don't this home run long and get
out of here in a hurry like the
great city of Detroit.
Don't count out these tigers
eleven wins this year when
trailing in the eighth inning or
later.
You can knock them down.
You can kick dirt in their face
but they scramble up and find a
way to get it done.
I don't know about you.
This may be Jim Leland.
Best job as a major league
manager considering all this
tiger team has been through all
the injuries of course and
course the up and down on the
pitching staff sometimes you
come to ballpark didn't know who
was going to be out of play.
And it is poured foul.
It's been an interesting couple
of years for the Tigers.
There were some who thought
Detroit should have won the
division last season and many of
those same prognosticators
thought that the Tigers would
finish last in the Al central
this year.
Jimmy said everyone kind of
looks out for this season but
they come around again.
What would this mean for the
city if the Tigers could win
this game.
Well something we get dressed in
spring training when he said
quote People are going to be
spending their last dollars.
This is not the year to not run
out of ground ball.
His tigers have responded again
and again and again one hour
block places geared at first
base.
He represents the go ahead tally
for the Tigers.
Rick Anderson will visit both
right handers middlemen for both
of these teams minor for the
Tigris and career here for the
twins both struggling under the
weight of this game.
Each runner at first Wilkin
Ramirez takes over for GM Joe
Nathan is up.
He may have to save the game in
the eighth and the ninth.
Well I think one of the things
he probably had an option at
some point or a thought Ron
Gordon higher of having him go
two innings.
The thought he could get through
this lineup with Greer did not
work with Odom yes and now the
walked again to produce another
base run.
Ryan Raber and bats with Amanda
on and worn out Rayburn got the
state because he's been hard at
the plate because he can cover a
lot of ground and left these two
for three today.
Took a shot at right field and
is down a straight one ball two
strikes is a hugely important
hitting for the Tiger offense.
They are an amazing 72 and 0
this year when they leave the
game after eight innings of
play.
Talked about Joe Nathan and how
good he has been.
Fernando Rodney is the tiger
Carlos career in the eighth
inning Wow.
He should.
Ramirez can really fly.
Looming.
There's Miguel Cabrera.
But I think one of the things
that you that's one of the most
difficult things to do is to
come in late for a defensive
replacement or come in late as a
pinch runner good and bad
continues for Rayburn here in
Detroit's eighth inning.
Cabrera has home or Don years
his homer.
They have accounted for all four
RBI eyes in this game.
The two offensive stars thought
Julie for on Team clawbacks
looked for big hits this year.
The Tigers have had a bunch of
them today can think about
running.
If the Tigers so desire on the
pitch stretch and see that ball
just floating up and in the
right hand and hit a in the
we're just missing with his
pitches it was a good swing by
Raven and there on that hanging
slider from career whereas that
doesn't have any stolen bases
this season.
But in the minor leagues he's
had as high as 28 stolen bases
so he's got some speed the crowd
roars and look at Jeanne Lim on
the third base coach Jean Le
Monde was all the way on to the
sliding path to third base
telling Ramirez to stay on the
bag it was and the young player
didn't wander away.
And stays safely at second base
but we you see the pitch on the
pitch tracks I thought that ball
a little up it was Randy Marsh
got it right.
But the reason that you want to
yell to your runner as Lamont
did is that the crowd is telling
you that it was a strikeout
throw you up but it was not
plants.
Tigers have two men on the
Metrodome.
And what a way to wrap up the
American League regular season
schedule.
The A.L. Central Division
championship is on the line.
Game on the basis for the Tigers
two on one man out with Brandon
Ainge in the batter's box
against all star Joe Nathan.
Well as Gordon higher had a
little advantage in how he used
his bullpen before now because
of the home run by John yes.
Now the advantage to Jimmy Lewin
in the Tigers is they've got Joe
Nathan.
They're closer in here to try to
save the eighth inning.
You can save the game in the
seventh the eighth as easily as
you can.
The ninth had a huge spot for
the Minnesota club and its high
one ball no strikes talk with
avoid McAlinden the Tigers
hitting coach and he said
Brandon Inge would be one guy
who personifies what the city of
Detroit has gone through this
year.
How big would it be if he could
pick up a hit and put him ahead
in the playing through.
He leads a team this season with
one hundred and fifty seven
games played but has almost
willed himself into the lineup
every single day.
For Detroit he's been their
greatest from the seventh inning
on 10 home runs leads their team
popped up this time however
Whiteside and Nathan retires the
first batter Brandon Inge pops
out.
He's 0 4 3 Well to an advantage
to a hitter.
Unless you've got a Joe Nathan
throw 95 on the black that beats
Inge was pitch right where MJ
likes it he's a high ball hitter
but just to beat him to the
spot.
Hurdles for Nathan and Gerald
Laird is also Mauer just got a
glove on that pitch one 1.0
strikes.
Roush Harris career Mauer
knocked it down and no advance
it's the top ofthe seven o'clock
hour in Minneapolis with Ron
Darling and Craig Sager at our
entire TBS crew.
What a ball game.
My name is Chip Carey for for
your score the A.L. Central
Division title is on the line
the winner of this game heads to
New York to play the Yankees
tomorrow at 6:00 Eastern here on
CBS.
The loser thinks about Spring
Training 2010.
If he's gonna try to stay true
to form a home run but runners
on this season and on the right
hand and hitter no chance for
Joe tries to get committed to
hold the bat back.
But you can see it went through
the strike zone for four is the
score.
Doleman young to lead off the
eighth inning and the final
regular season game at the
Metrodome.
Fifty four thousand eighty
eight.
Here's the crowd.
Now young the Cole Player of the
week in the American League
starts things off with a 1 for
three days so far and Gordon
high I was talking about Damon
Young today says his talent to
the players he's ever seen.
So he just goes to streaks of
inability to repeat his
mechanics just to play but can
hit him out of sight.
Big time power for Delma and
Young who had to hear it from a
lot of people Major League
Baseball What was his success
last year at the Tampa Bay
Garza.
Jason Bartlett who required for
Delon young and they played such
a big part in that run for Tampa
Bay.
Fisted slowly toward second
longer waits for the takes care
of young fallen out number one
he framed a lot about this
Minnesota defense.
Give the Tigers some credit to
up the middle.
But as good as gold the last
month or so and political
science play their little favors
for the Tigers.
Here's Brandon Harris came on as
a pinch hitter former rallies
and the sixth was hit with the
first pitch Randy Marsh got
popped again that's twice he's
taken the brunt of a wicked foul
ball behind the plate that's
equivalent for you football
players out there getting your
bell rung fastball went in the
middle of the mask Randy Marsh
one of the things that there's a
brotherhood between catchers and
the umpires because they both
take the brunt of those foul
balls and try to give each other
a little time in between pitches
terrific throw for the second
out zone Lions come on three
ground ball outs the three
hitters he's faced and the bases
are cleared out for Matt Tolbert
who scored the first Minnesota
run reaching out on field hit
coming home on a whip poor soul
throwing it again.
Game was started by Scott Baker
and Rick Fossella both pitched
pretty good baseball for solo
especially so a career high
tying eight strikeouts and five
and two thirds innings and Baker
one bad in his home garden I
said all he needs to start
executing his pitches a little
better and he'll settle in and
settle in.
He did just two hits over the
final three frames of tonight's
game broken bat and bounced
beyond the twins dugout you know
C.C. Sabathia is going to pitch
for new york tomorrow night we
have no idea how he's going to
face it both of these teams have
no concern with tomorrow night
both trying to take care of
business here just Miss Lyon
thought he got it there one ball
two strikes wicked pitch and
Brandon Lyon has been very nasty
tonight for hitters faced for
hitters retired and we head to
the ninth inning for these two
clubs for four ninth day.
Jonathan one on Santiago with
Strike one.
Tolbert in third.
Thinking about a.
He gets it.
Ground ball the first timing try
and safe at first.
Could I or could not get the tag
and the top but hit for Santiago
to start the ninth inning.
And here's the match up that the
Tigers have been looking for.
What a bunt by Santiago.
Look at how he gets his frame
out of the way of Kadhimiya
let's call their first base
here.
The weight on that ball tried to
dive at San Diego with first
base wasn't able to get him on
that hip so Adam ever at the
former twin will pinch run and a
question I guess you have if
you're a Tiger fan.
Do you take the bat out of
Granderson hands.
A man that has really worn out
Joe Nathan of late play for a
run or do you let him swing away
in a tie game with nobody out.
His last three at bats versus
Nathan home run double and a
triple for Curtis Granderson.
Let's see.
Granderson has walked in single
and scored tonight and the
Tigers 53 sacrificed bunch this
year second most in the American
League Nathan to be throwing the
first year to keep the runner
close.
See that sign that Joe Mauer
gives it gives that split 2 and
then it puts down one that means
throw over the first fisted in
the right field that's trouble
that's going to drop for a hit
around second and on his way to
third and Curtis Granderson
continues to do one man damage
against Joe Nathan first and
third and nobody out in the
night he just has good numbers.
As we mentioned before an
unnatural cycle there for Curtis
Granderson his last four at bats
now a home run a double triple
and now a single against Joe
Nathan now Jean live off the
third base coach talking things
over with Polanco here's a spot
where you know Nathan would love
a strikeout but Polanco a very
difficult man to punch out
despite the one tonight and then
or don't donors and Cabrera
lurking Brian garden higher
chose not to bunt Denard Span it
cost him with a strikeout Jim
Leland chose not to but with
Granderson it didn't cost him
the cost of twins when the base
hit there by Granderson so
runners at first and third no
body out for four most things
Joe Nathan has thrown this
season has been to seen this
happen many times the closures
they come in in the eighth
inning they spend all that
adrenaline sometimes sitting for
those 15 20 minutes going back
out they lose some of that snap
on that curve for velocity on
the fastball and Polanco with
all the attention on Guerrero
and Tony is Curtis Granderson
has been as good as anybody in
the American League this year
round in round scoring
situations late and ballgames
has been great.
He said eight go ahead RBI
something were later tied with
A-Rod and took Martinez puts the
ball in play he's got a 1 1
Flacco likes the ball on the way
to shoot it the other way.
How do you counter that.
How about something diving down
again.
Not a good thing there from
Colombo down the right field
line long run span in the
corner.
You have no way to get to the
point there don't you with all
this fall ground here.
If it's deep enough what do you
do as a right fielder a left
fielder do you catch it and
allow the run to score let it
drop it's a hard call for those
guys and you take the out but
give up the potential go ahead
run in the ninth inning and soda
let this game for three Magalie
or Dhoni has let off the eighth
with a vapor trail to left a
long solo home run for him and
it almost never strikes out
Polanco has been punched out
twice in this game What a pitch
sequence by Joe Nathan and Joe
Mauer to work one of the most
difficult guys to strike first
pitch missed inside second got a
swinging strike came back inside
unusual swing there by Politico
good fighting off of that high
fastball missed upstairs and
through this back door slider
threw it right up Flacco and
broke it back over the inside
corner.
What a pitch by Nathan.
So now the entire twins here
with the exception of Michael
Dyer will meet on the mound and
talk things over with Nathan and
here's the spot as Ron Gardner
higher will join the discussion
where a ground ball gets you out
of this inning and facing Maclin
or don't Yaz who has had a very
big game.
The biggest hit so far in the
Tigers season 4 3 lead for the
twins high fastball from Greer
August 11 for last time and
Flacco struck out twice in a
game that sets up a double play
possibility with all up Nathan
really crowding these hitters
Polanco now crowding or don't
yes he's been red hot twenty
four for his last forty six at
the plate but he's hit in two
nineteen double play and drive
off the bat.
Right.
Cabrera got a big homerun in
this game and now the double
play first and third with nobody
out and the Tigers cannot push
across the go ahead run can't
wipe that grin off Joe Nathan's
face like a Cheshire cat Adam
Everett stays in the game to
play shortstop.
He's a former twin but attempts
by Punto evens the count and
Lyon has faced for man he's
gotten them all out.
Photos span and the cup Aaron.
Will this be the final ninth
inning and regular season play
at the Metrodome that is yes.
Will it be the final game played
at the Metrodome.
We do not know yet.
The rights to this Metrodome to
the Vikings quite yet.
Looks to me too well just like
Pluto and some something in
front of the cookware a homerun.
Another tough at bat by the
twins ninth place hitter like
this from Pluto.
All night.
Tonight both teams have come
back and forth against each
other.
Listen to two teams on game
number one sixty three Tiger
bullpen is busy should the twins
Fernando Rodney is up as good as
John for his dad Rodney has been
equally electrifying.
No one wanted it back.
Why aren't those ending in the
third lions only mistake for the
cost of a trip to the showers
lead off what's great about by
Nick Punto so far Jim Leland.
No decision because you've got
the top of the order maybe a
buck situation and here's how
the last inning in it for the
Tigers.
Once this line drive and Curtis
Granderson the runner on first
base has got to know that the
run on third is the most
important one is going to freeze
on the line drives.
He did not cross the double play
in the twins getting out of that
thing.
So he's ready to charge for
third.
He is funny eleven sacrifices
for span this year.
I think one of the reasons the
line is in this game is he's a
little better fielder than Ryan
and this is a chance that they
know that just bad.
Probably bonding in the
situation they did in the
seventh but here in the night
Spann has his way great as he
want this ball to be blunt.
Well I think any time you want
to make this punch you want to
try to put this ball down the
runner at second one out boy no
nap enough but Denard Span was
turned to support him.
There wasn't a grand line with
his good snap throw perfect
mechanics by span.
Get that ball out in front
deaden it never got to line on
time.
But he was able to make the good
play.
So one of the hitting heroes for
the twins is Orlando Cabrera on
two run homer in the seventh
inning gave the twins a 4 3
lead.
But Jim Leland will not risk
Lyon versus Cabrera.
Instead it will be Fernando
Rodney heat coming on to get the
tigers out of this ninth inning
jam for four is your score.
Here comes Detroit's closer as
Fernando Rodney is on for the
Tigers Rodney has been really
struggling coming down the
stretch to see his VRA and safe
situations and the balloons and
nuts.
Same situation up here and as
here it's almost 10 in his last
few outings so he has struggled
coming down the stretch
neglected second for Punto Brown
ball left side saves a run
throws the first time one up
play by engine that gets through
who knows what happens.
Want to play the corner well
he's done this all season long
for this Tigers team on who's
taking these he is just one of
those players that goes all out
gets a uniform dirty it makes a
beautiful play with the drive to
his left and yes that would have
been a base at Punto almost cut
off second base but gets the out
at first no way they can let Joe
Mauer swing the bad here with
the runner at third and two outs
of course and because of a
defensive replacement Jason
pupils out of the game the
talented left handed hitter and
Carlos Gomez will be the hitter
we'll be walked intentionally
for the 14th time this year.
Seventy six walks in total
including two tonight.
They will take the bat out of
his hands and Gomez with runners
1st and 2nd two out in hitting
number nine.
Rodney got them a little close
for comfort Danny that was
almost a strike.
So here we go Gomez versus
Rodney.
He's 0 for 2 in his career.
Santana trained for the
Minnesota Twins lot of payback.
Maybe you can hear with Gomez
went for the Mets to the twins
in that trade.
Gomez at 258 last year with the
twins hit seven homers knocked
in 59 goalkeeping Punto close
second hot shot toward short
Everett's set up and we go to
the Tenth Inning.
What a ball game.
Tenth Inning.
Let's check in again with Craig
Sager tonight.
Well Joe Nathan is gone back in
the clubhouse but very relieved
he got out of that jam in the
top of the ninth and that double
play off the bat of Magalie or
Dawn.
He was watching as the ball was
hit hard on the line drive came
over and put his arms up in the
air and thought oh no it's gone.
But then he scores a double
play.
Did Mike Swilley move keep him
in the dugout and everybody said
What was that.
He goes Well it's sort like the
cattle rolled by saw red fire do
last night when I was at the
Vikings game against the
Packers.
He said things to me about it.
There was a double play I get
too excited he's got a lot to be
excited about Nathan an inning
and two thirds two hits two
strikeouts and he will give way
now to Jessie Crain in the tenth
inning with the middle of the
Order up for the Tigers only
fitting as you said run these
teams dead even after 162 dead
even after nine innings in Game
163.
Well Jessie Crain has really
been a workhorse for this Twins
team but he has a lot on his
shoulders here having to face
Cabrera Miguel Cabrera one four
five off grand for the home run.
They've pitched him a lot more
effectively in his last two at
bats and the twins.
He jumps at the first but a nice
play by cadaver to come off the
bag and save a big problem here
in the tenth.
Well a lot of his errors chip
have really been of the throwing
variety to this one run up the
line a little bit.
Nice play but good diet first
just getting Cabrera before he
got on the back Aubrey Huff will
pinch hit.
Now in the Tampa they got him on
the hip Golf is one of those
patch the tiger's acquired to
try to bolster his offense.
Hitting just 241 this season
that's grounded file past and
events like Tiger's got him
August 17th from the Orioles for
a right handed pitcher Fred
Jacobson.
Bats with the Tigers hitting one
eighty nine three four 13 as a
pitch three for eleven.
I beg your pardon is a pinch
hitter with a homerun and nearly
hit.
Did it get him.
Apparently did across the chute
tops and half pointed at Randy
Marsh to make sure the twins are
going to check the baseball Ron
Garten higher is going to come
out as well look for a little
shoe polish has half hit by a
pitch in the tenth really caught
him on the pants leg I think
went above the shoe tops
unfortunate pitch there by Jesse
Crane who had the advantage
What's his pitch dive down and
in it seems like it just touched
maybe the front right leg of
that uniform see that the ripple
effect of those pants kind of
came out you see the ball as it
comes into Huff just scrapes the
flared bottom of the uniform of
Aubrey Huff stitch in time may
save the tiger nine here in the
tenth a hit batsman and Dan
Kelly will pinch run Kelly has
played a prominent role in the
season series with the twins and
Tigers he dropped a pop fly here
at the Metrodome earlier this
season that cost the Tigers game
Justin Verlander pitched a pitch
run here with one man out.
Really the bigger picture that
in September and now October
with the clubs able to play
different kind of baseball when
the games mattered the most all
that changes tomorrow rosters
down to twenty five.
This is still a regular season
game.
Ryan Rayburn looks at ball 1
reference had a nice night today
to the three tigers 6 and 4 this
year in extra innings the twins
6 wins 7 losses so the Yankees
are playing at home tomorrow
trying to put together your
scouting report for Game 1 of
your division series and here we
are in the 10th inning of Game
163 for the A.L. Central champ.
Each successive pitcher that
comes in you can tell by the
heavy breathing can't get any
saliva as they get here later
and later in this game Jesse
Crane who has been a workhorse
only in 0 7 that he missed time
when he had surgery for a
rotator cuff and torn labrum 56
games this year a high of
seventy five a few seasons ago
draft pick of the twins seven
years ago they took him in the
second round.
Toronto Ontario lives in
Lakeville Minnesota.
Right on by he throws awfully
hard for Seaver away just beats
labor to the spot.
We've seen all night long with
the hitters from both sides
little late on those fastballs
up in the strike zone there's
nothing like power at the end of
the ball game and at the end of
the year there isn't so ends the
final Tiger hope in the tenth
inning.
He's five for 19 against Crane
lifetime but one of those five
hits well that's a good pitch
there a slider right down the
middle that gets a bottom of the
play.
Yes it did ripped into the left
field corner for a hit Kelly
around second on his way to
third G Lamont's going to winner
here's Cabrera's relay in front
of the plate hey it's not in
time and the Tigers take this to
Detroit Brandon Inge has given
the Tigers a one run lead after
the missed slider a fastball
gets on the inner part what's
his ball never comes off the
wall kind of sits there big
jungle get it and by the time he
gets it into Cabrera too late to
get the speedy Kelly see Mauer
with the try to block home plate
but Kelly slides right through
that block by Mauer so the
Tigers have the lead in the 10
on the 10th extra base hit from
NJ in the last fifty five games
for the Tigers and a swinging
roller out towards second hires
this side the Tigers get a hit
batsman cash it in on a brain
and MJ double play three outs
for a deal with the Yankees 5 to
4 the Tigers take the lead on a
clutch hit from Brandon engine
John Kelly was flying most clubs
for them all season but if you
see Kelly at first base as this
ball goes into the corner.
Jeanne Lamont knows there's only
one thing to do.
Get that left arm move in and
Kelly's moving himself and
instead of the fast we'll slide
the slide and reach back with
his hand.
He goes through Mauer with that
left front foot which allows him
to score to the big body but the
six foot five Joe Mauer and Jim
Leland likes that safe call by
Randy Marsh a lot better than he
did in 1992 when Sid green
scored against his Pittsburgh
Pirates cut Dyer in the tenth
twins down on dial with a
magical home run on Saturday
against the Kansas City Royals a
cleat Thomas takes over wide
field.
Does he have one more in a dire
three hits lifetime one of those
hits home run against Rodney
nowhere near concentration by
all these players on the bench
and on the field almost
palpable.
Chip for one run loss in Game
163 I don't know about you but I
don't know how he filed that
pitch off.
I think it was like below the
cap high.
A little flap on his shadow
Granderson can't get it heads up
against the wall.
Chuck Dyer on his way to third
throw late Cramer tried for
their shoestring catch and paid
the price but didn't pick up the
ball well and then tried to make
up for it.
They see missed it probably lost
it in that way.
For maybe the wrong choice at
this time in the game to want to
really play that first single
chip keep that ball in front of
you keep the Dyer on first base.
Instead he tries for the
miraculous catch he doesn't come
up with it.
GRANDERSON doesn't get there in
time and good dire triple three
base him in the 10th inning and
the tying run for the twins 90
feet away and dumb young Jim
Leyland can't believe it.
Infield in Chopper doesn't get
through every scene.
Gordon higher against the
Tigers.
See this first pitch by Rodney
Young not able to handle it
infield din does handle it but
we've seen Gordon hire try to
suicide squeeze against Detroit
will he try it here.
Rodney very difficult to punt
nasty stuff.
And he's just as likely to throw
it away as he is to push you
inside Romney's throwing five
wild pitches this year.
Nice play by Gerald layer there
fastball down in the strike zone
that is the one that eludes more
catchers because they always
believe that a fastball is going
to be for a strike not throwing
the dirt like it was there by
Rodney good slider.
One ball one strike.
Everybody up in the seats.
Everybody down.
Minnesota bench tigers two outs
away from advancing and winning
the A.L. Central tip of the
infield and can't really go on
contact but you can still read
it from third base while gets
over the head of the pitcher
ever it's gotta go up the middle
might be a to take a shot and
events like events like calling
all the outfielders in 97 miles
per hour but not even close.
The Tigers don't think Harris
can pull a randy fastball
Granderson has swung way around
into right center field huge gap
between Rayburn and Granderson a
left center and now pinch runner
will take the place of Harris at
first base that's Alexi Kasey a
veteran manager Jimmy Leyland
he's done it a couple of times
so far go out to talk to his
pitcher not only to give him a
respite but also to dictate to
his infield how they're going to
play this defense in this
situation and you have your
middle infielders back and
double play Deb Tolbert with
some really good speed are you
going to keep the infield in one
run lead might make you push
your middle infielders back and
try to play for the double play
with that in mind how does
Minnesota play it because Cassio
to another guy who can really
really fly in a double play ends
this game for Minnesota and
Rodney does not hold runners on
well but Gerald Laird is the
X-factor because he's thrown out
more runners than a better
percentage this season so you
want to manage in a playoff
scenario no I don't.
What do you do if you're the
twins.
Here's Tolbert swing and a miss
and the breaking ball from
Rodney very effective countering
that 97 mile an hour heat.
He can bring to you see the
middle infield that they are
playing back the double play
that but they're at a place
where if they get a ball that's
hit softly instead of turn two
that could take a shot at the
diner at the plate another
strike Rodney even with that big
fastball will generate some weak
contact.
Twelve double play ground balls
have been induced by the tiger
closer as you see at home.
He hasn't throwing a ball over
the knees yet.
Has he ground ball up the metal
bars around sucking on his not
bad by the young Tolbert just
the bouncer up the middle.
Looks like Polanco here thought
he was going to be on a
turntable with that topspin gets
by him.
Bhutto handles the bat
beautifully here.
Last time they squeezed against
Detroit it was Nick Bhutto who
was in the batter's box.
The Guardian to hurry gets his
wish with a tying run.
Division winning run is 90 feet
away for Nick Punto who had a 10
pitch hit back in the ninth
sitting started when Ryan
Rayburn tried for a shoestring
catch it turned into a triple no
surprises here.
Country hardball time 0 and 2
Quinto trying to shorten up that
stroke still hard to catch up
with a ninety six mile an hour
hit from run just stay alive and
Rodney 96 97 in here's the
Devil's Triangle for a pitcher
he's throwing the ball down the
catch up to it that wants you to
throw that changeup but then it
plays into puntos game infield
and outfield in Oh to your count
Ron Gordon I said today's team
was a team full of ball players
no one's more reflection than
that than Nick Punto Toronto
Terry comes out of the play
ball.
Target bad time.
Rayburn and evens the ledger.
Some kind of game in Minnesota 5
5 your score 11th inning.
Again we check in with Craig
Sager talk to Curtis Granderson.
Before the game he said he likes
Ryan Rayburn out there in the
outfield not only because of his
speed.
He said he has an unbelievable
arm.
I said How good is it.
Well I talked to Brett Rayburn
before the game too.
He said he was a closer in high
school and in college went to
Florida with a ninety five mile
an hour fastball to be closer.
But he said he didn't have any
movement on the ball and gave up
that became a regular player but
he has a ninety five mile an
hour fastball which we just saw
to save that run.
Chip.
Craig thank you very much and
Jim Leland again told us before
the game the defense of Rayburn
was critically important in this
ballpark.
It led him down at the start of
the inning but it keeps the game
and the season alive for the
Tigers as he throws a strike to
take care of Casey.
And the twins in the 10 I'll
have infinite in a 5 5 game that
Adam Everett the tiger hitter
sometimes when I look at this
place that looks like a big
balloon and some of the air's
just been let out of it again.
I mean these teams just punch
and then counterpunch tigers
left this thing by three twins
chip and claw and scratch their
way back Detroit took the lead
in the 10th after a hit batsman
Brandon Inge doubled to left
Minnesota ties it up after
Raeburn messes up a fly ball in
left field and the base hit by
Matt Tolbert the double play at
the plate moves it along sound
back I had an ever had a ball to
strikeout a game like this
little things mean a lot more
batsmen laid off walks I'm about
to see a third base that he
tagged properly know what you
have to do as soon as the ball's
hit in the line you have to go
stand on third wait for the ball
to be caught and go he had the
tag up late they cost them a
half a second and then these
Supreme moments mistakes are
magnified and you could see
clearly Scott ogre screaming
back back back off the bat and
looked like a hit remember
though that I'll feel was
playing in so it made that ball
come the Rayburn for that fine
arm he made a great play nice
job by Jessie Crane he departs
with the base is clear on the
top of the eleven some kind of
ball game five five bases clear
one out in the eleventh inning
and another one of those very
important acquisitions for the
Minnesota Twins is on to pitch
and that's left hander Ron May
had a very busy year for May Hey
who is just scooped up by
Minnesota and placed in their
pen and he's been very very
tough.
Well those are his numbers for
the entire season is designated
for assignment by the Kansas
City Royals picked up in late
August by the Minnesota Twins
and he has been outstanding
since joining them eight and two
thirds in his pitch Zero has
been around two and he will face
Curtis Granderson with nobody on
and won out.
Granderson has been on base
three times he's walked and
scored his single twice.
When Curtis Granderson is on the
base paths.
That's really when this Tiger
offense can start to click.
We mentioned earlier he's had
very good numbers this year 30
homers 20 steals twenty three
doubles knocked in 71 men out of
the leadoff spot but his on base
percentage has been very low.
Not tonight he's been on three
times in five plate appearances
as we showed you earlier
tonight.
It does work against left handed
pitching for the Tigers.
Well it's been an unbelievable
game but they've been best
mistakes with so show one but
Cassius also Granderson is in
the ninth.
Nathan really cost the Tigers
one garden hire said in this
building and games like this.
Both teams play nervous.
He might be very very right told
you earlier.
GRANDERSON loves hitting in this
park.
And he appears to be one and
that indeed is the case may.
His good work continues.
He strikes out.
Curtis Granderson it's a battle
the ball patterns in Game 1.
Sixty three well you want
emotion.
You have seen a bunch of it
tonight at the Metrodome the
largest regular season crowd in
the history of this building on
hand as the Tigers and twins
keep trading leads.
Cabrera.
Go ahead homer.
Fans hoping for some lead in the
Magic have gotten the Tigers
take the lead in Minnesota
hoping for some help and get it
with a base hit.
Ron Gardner higher off the top
step and yeah we've felt this
place grumble all night long as
game one sixty three is still on
to determine who will face the
Yankees tomorrow night.
Tommy Keppel next man out of
Minnesota Penn and he will face
plus it.
Polanco that some time with the
Kansas City Royals and Colorado
Rockies started in the Mets
organization.
This is like a Jack Johnson
prizefight who's not going to
meet the bell for the hundredth
round.
The twins can get through this
eleven.
They will have the top of the
order coming up in their half on
two outs.
Polanco who's got a hit tonight
that came in the fifth as you
said it has not been a perfect
game by any stretch and in both
clubs would tell you they made a
couple of really big mistakes
that cost the runs tonight.
Yet here we are still tied up
did not get to Dhoni as well
CABRERA Well we showed you pitch
tracks all night long and Randy
Marsh has about a 95 percent
success rate so far tonight.
My drive to second Three up
three down to the Tigers top in
the twin daughters coming up.
Joe Bauer is do third 5 5.
Game bottom of the ladder thing
Ron Darling chip Carey.
Craig Sager with you from the
dome.
Here's some of the drama we were
talking about earlier.
Joe Nathan gives up this line
drive that turned into a double
play when Granderson was caught
off first base and then the 10th
inning Cassius at third base on
the sac fly attacks up late and
with the arm of Rayburn does not
score the winning one for the
twins he's worked two innings
three times this year in the
regular season.
They lack of help from his
defense now faces Denard Span.
It started off the twins have
won 16 of their last 20 line
drives center field Granderson
Lane Bryant dives and comes up
with a beauty he played
shallowly and that saved him one
out key.
Whenever you watch Granderson
play centerfield he always gets
great jumps.
And here he could see his eyes
fixated on that baseball just
catches it above his shoe tops
for a big burst out here in the
11th inning off the end of the
back then looked like a short
hit like Rayburn in the 10th
Granderson was able to track
that he get the first out he
backs up now with Cabrera run
for Orlando in this game
tonight.
With Randy Marsh as he's down a
straight tempers are going to
run hot late in a game like this
fisted back our way and we
thought this is going to be the
biggest hit in the game little
hanging slider compare with a
huge hit to run home in left
field twins thought they might
have had a pull back well done
yes that's something to say
about that and that came off
Zach Minor injury stood a chance
for was brilliant Scott Baker
started for Minnesota gave up
three tonight I pitched a six
very effective innings on just
six hits and Cabrera stays alive
Scott Baker hung tough to name
yes Ryan Gardner higher said
during our chat again if he just
executes his pitches he'll be
fine.
He was he had one bad at it.
That was the third again and
events like right on top of that
with the outfielders moving them
seemingly every pitch strike
three outside corner and Cabrera
is going to grumble again and he
best be careful.
Randy Marsh with the mask off
and Ron Gardner higher is going
to keep him in this game and get
him to the dugout.
Well Randy Moss also has to make
sure that he shows some patience
here.
Tempers are going to run hot
things like that are going to
happen and the pitch sequence
for Atlanta.
But he thought that ball was
down the copper plate on pitch
straps tried to fight off a few
pitches and I think this final
pitch to me is outside bounced
on and slide off it so Joe Mauer
the last hope for the twins in
the 11th rounds the ball towards
second go to his right.
We are heading to the 12th
sitting in Minneapolis one week
for sports fans in this
beautiful Midwestern city.
It is the 12th inning in game
sixty three are American League
Central Division tiebreaker
Minnesota and the Tigers tied 5
5 and this is just an appetizer
for the main course it starts
tomorrow all the playoff action
on TV begins at two o'clock with
MLB on deck Ernie Johnson Cal
Ripken Junior David Wells and
Dennis Eckersley in our Atlanta
studios and Brian Anderson and
Joe Simpson will be in
Philadelphia for Game 1 of that
National League series.
Ron and I are headed to Yankee
Stadium for Game 1 in New York.
Tomorrow at 6:00 Eastern and the
Cardinals and the Dodgers Dick
Stockton and Bob friendly at 930
Eastern Time their first game
starts way out west.
That inside MLB presented by
Captain Morgan at 1:00 a.m.
Eastern time on CBS or whatever
that game decides Dan and first
pitch is laced down the left
field line and foul off the bat
of Clete Thomas.
Thomas you recall came on as a
defensive substitution for Manly
or donors in the 10th inning
tonight.
Well we about 18 hours away from
the game at Yankee Stadium ship
sleep is overrated of course
sleep on your season's over.
Exactly right.
Down low to Thomas case you
wondered what the longest
tiebreaker game in regular
season history is and again this
is a regular season game.
Think back two years ago Padres
hit Rockies 13 innings and a
line drive in a center field
charging high Well there've been
some balls absolutely centered
up in this game that none fought
for hands that won a bullet for
number one.
Here's Cabrera you made the
point Ronnie earlier in this
game that Cabrera was able to
get his arms out over the plate
his first two events have the
twins pitched him much different
since then they really have.
They've been pounding him with
sinkers in and down has produced
three ground balls to the left
side again another secret down
in the strike zone missing out
over the plate spinning.
He just has such a great eye.
He has great power to right
field they've already seen him
better to run home run to right
center ball one strike from
Bobby Keppel he's the eighth
Minnesota pitcher in this game
there is that pitch down in for
Capote missed badly however to
even the count two balls and two
strikes so now Keppel has a full
count capital just overthrown
just a tiny bit and those good
hitters like Cabrera will make
you over throw a little bit see
that ball when it gets elevated
a bit.
Cabrera has much better swing
tigers has left and Cabrera a
board with one out.
Nice it back from Miguel Cabrera
and he is a board in front of
Don Kelly came on us that pinch
runner in the 10th inning of
play after Aubrey Huff was hit
that baggy uniform pants cost
the twins a base cost him a run
now Kelly his first hit in this
game that's a little low and Joe
Mauer might have crossed up
wants to talk it over with
Keppel when Bono strikes you've
been a partisan marathon games
in your career the most infamous
perhaps that fourth of July game
with the Mets down at the Fulton
County Stadium in Atlanta that's
the infamous fireworks game and
you won't fit into that game
right.
I was amid the last pitch at
four o'clock in the morning so
you're experienced at games like
that.
Well I think the hard part now
is for the managers of both
teams to start to decide which
starters they're going to start
to take away from getting a
start.
If they go on the postseason and
which ones can come in and throw
a few innings that's ground ball
toward first yeah.
The twins have called on Nick
Blackburn and dancing of it but
Blackburn threw aside today.
So I think he's unavailable
proviso.
Being the veteran the years he
have I would think he'd be
unavailable Dunson would be the
guy who would probably have to
go and Dunson was the guy that
they were going to pick if they
went to the postseason.
The pitch game one against the
Yankees.
So that's still very much in the
air depending on whether they
get there or not.
That's the first task ahead for
Minnesota.
And on one out on one count Don
Kelly we're in the 12th holding.
Cabrera awfully close he has no
lead at first base Morrow with a
good strong arm I can't see a
bearer being able to steal maybe
a hit and run but no steal
slashed in the left field that's
going to drop for a hit.
Can they cut it off.
Yes.
Young does and the throw into
third base.
Not in time they throw it to the
wrong base and John Kelly takes
advantages in at second and look
at Ron Garton higher the double
play now not in order.
Second and third with one out.
Well if you're a manager that
will make you take your hat off
and scratch your head that ball
it's cut off in the gap you will
have no chance at throwing the
runner out at third base a pitch
on the corner.
Good pitch from Keppel this
throw has to go into second
base.
Keep the double play in order.
Young makes a small mistake here
or a big mistake a long runs go
to second and third and Gordon
higher perplexed to say the
least.
So Delvin young throws to the
wrong base trying to get
Cabrera.
Kelly takes advantage second and
third want out.
Ryan Rayburn the batter and
chatted with Geno Lamont as he
takes his space in that right
hand batter's box Rayburn the
biggest play in this game
throwing out the winning run at
the plate and now they will walk
him intentionally to set up a
double play with Brandon Inge.
This is a hard play to figure
out for a manager who did go
after a guy that's already
proven to you that he can hit in
the clutch well Rayburn knows
already has two hits and a walk
in today's game.
Not an easy choice.
The problem with walking Rayburn
is that you don't allow Keppel
any room for maneuver and what
the twins have to be banking on
here is that with that bad knee
inch hits the ball on the ground
he's almost a certain double
play here.
But the risk versus reward is if
he hits the ball down the line
three runs might score and that
might be it.
Well I think he got play a
middle infielders probably
double play definitely be a
couple of steps in from double
play.
That way did not something as it
hit hard.
Cabrera is not a fast one you
can go for the force at home.
Gardner wants to make sure that
he talks to all of his players
and his infielders to figure
this out.
And this is exactly what the
Tigers want to see is Brandon
Inge up with the bases loaded.
This man has been absolutely
devastating for Jim Lee Lin's
ballclub in these situations
this year with the bases loaded.
Brandon Inge has nine hits and
17 at bats and twenty four of
his RB eyes have covered these
situations.
And this is the biggest hit for
Brandon in the game the double
down the line that scored Don
Kelly put the Tigers ahead so
after the meeting Keppel and
Inge and nearly hit him did it.
Oh he's going to say it grazed
his jersey and Randy Marsh says
no.
Jim Leland is going to have a
chat.
The reason he's trying to ask if
he'll get someone to overrule it
of course Brandon Barr says no
it's my call.
The only reason you would ever
think that maybe interest hit in
this instance it's too hard to
react so quickly.
See the below shirt.
And it did was hit by that ball.
The reaction by and just so
quick that it's hard to fake
that the ball grazed the shirt.
But he doesn't get the base one
ball no strikes ball running in
on ends.
See the below the shirt.
If it did just brushed it was
good enough for Aubrey Huff and
that gave the Tigers a run that
was in the 10th.
And here in the 12th and even
count fisted down the right
field line but out of play.
Two master tacticians working
overtime tonight.
Jim Lilley Ron Gardner soft
hands quiet back there catches
it in the glove.
Outstanding stop by Mauer after
that pitch will probably Mauer
knows his pitchers over throwing
a little bit gives him a little
rest.
Come on here you want to make
this pitch here.
Do not want to go 3 2 with the
bases loaded.
Has a couple of grand slams this
year.
He was swinging for the fences.
With that delivery two balls two
strikes he's playing hurt bad
knee that requires constant
attention.
Big time power at times slapped
with an injured ground ball
second base.
They got to come home and they
get the Angels flying down the
first base line and no chance
for a two and a hands up play
forces.
Miguel Cabrera anything hits
software you can't turn to.
You've got to take a shot at the
plate Punto the great play on
the run perfect throw easily
gets the better at home.
What a fine play because not
only do you have to make the
play physically you've got to be
heads up with your mind know
what to do with the ball when
you get it.
Pluto did look at guarding as
soon as that play concluded.
Ron garden higher said watch out
for the fun.
Even with two outs Laird handles
the bat exceptionally well
Tolbert.
Even with the bag at Third and
Paul Whiteside if the twins get
out of this you would think this
is on their side.
They got out of this one.
The Metrodome all wrapped that
one gets by Mauer but not far
enough now a very dangerous
sequence to it.
Oh one good job by Lear taking
that pitch too.
Lucky maybe a little to keep
that ball from going too far
back to the backstop.
But right here at 2 a.m. there
is going to get a fastball down
the middle or should from Bobby
couple three balls.
There is no defense.
Throw on Laird is all for three
with runners in scoring position
today.
He does not have a hit with men
on base and he pops it up at a
full count.
So now the merry go round will
start for the Tigers.
Everybody will be running Kelly
from third to Minnesota have
been outstanding both clubs as
Randy mentioned punching and
counterpunching.
And here we go to the bottom of
the 12th inning.
We know the Yankees will be
lying in wait in the Bronx
tonight but they've got to stay
up late and formulate their game
plan waiting for this one to be
decided or the one game plan
they'll have is that these two
teams they know will bring a lot
of fight to the Bronx Carlos
Gomez the batter he hits for the
second time in this game it was
the last out of the twins ninth
How bout Fernando Rodney in this
game.
This will be his third full
inning and relief.
Nobody has moved a muscle man.
Detroit bullpen after he came on
in ending number nine tonight
that ball just flipped right
past Brandon Inge in a big turn
by Gomez around 1st stay away
from those hankies again a
little change up here from
Rodney Clemens having to pull
that through the whole inch had
to be drawn in because of the
speed at Gomez able to hit that
five here's could dire Gomez has
a huge lead at first base.
One hole foot half a length onto
that carpet.
Rodney getting later in this
game going through the third
inning cover.
More change ups than he did
earlier in the game with that 98
mile an hour knee last time.
Rodney has pitched three innings
August 5th of 2008 so he's been
here before.
You talk about high stress
innings as has Rodney's
attention.
Twins do run.
They've stolen eighty five bags
this year.
But as we told you Laird shuts
down the running game.
That's a broken bat bouncer at a
third fair ball.
First that's as good as the
sacrifice so the winning run at
second with one out now.
And you know Tillman Young is
thinking about picking up his
glove.
Oh nice play by its almost hits
the bag keeps it fair with the
juggled still as time throws the
dire out of first base so young.
The Cole American League Player
of the week won four five in
this game.
Garcia's on deck lots of speed
to be the third walk for Rodney
in the game.
The second intentional pass is
issue and now for Minnesota the
games on the base paths fourth
in Minnesota tonight three six
nine men left on base as well.
They got out of a bases loaded
top of the 12th inning jam and
they pitch around Gentlemen
young but Cassio has had good
luck against Rodney.
Three hits in five career at
bats.
You see what Jim Leland.
They get even with one out Jim
live and the deck against the
front with a bun here.
Be a bad play but two shots at
driving and Gomez any base hit
will score and maybe not the
Rayburn after we've seen the arm
he has in left field.
Look at the gap in right center
Granderson shaded toward left
and right he pitches inside and
gets the straight off speed
stuff as he pitches in his
fourth inning in this game.
What could change supposed be
away but darts on the inside
corner for Rodney big lead.
Gomez at second you see out of
average shading behind him
patting the glove doing
everything he can to try to
shorten that lead even by a
step.
We've already seen today at
Don't forget also Klay Thompson
right fielder came in
defensively he's got an
outstanding arm also and a pitch
bounce right typeface in live to
see a first round match up with
the New York Yankees Ron Gardner
hires twins now with five
division titles since 2002 they
win it in the twelfth inning on
a base hit to right field.
This has been a game of avenging
past faults Garcia and the 10th
did not tag up properly cost the
twins the win there makes up for
with this base hit the right
field Gomez with all that speed
and the Twins won this game with
the help of fifty four thousand
and eighty eight you have to tip
your cap to Jim Leland and the
Detroit Tigers they could not
hold a seven game lead in the
division at the start of play
September 7 this Minnesota
ballclub wins seventeen of their
last twenty one to celebrate
tonight but in what may have
been the most impressive
managerial job for Jim Leland
his only disappointment for Dave
Dombrowski an unbelievable
finish in twelve innings for
Minnesota Twins beat the Tigers
6 5.
Let's join Craig Sacre amongst
the bedlam down on the field.
Chip the Orlando Cabrera
involved with so many big plays
in the game the home run the
seventh the defensive play is
getting hung here by Robyn
Gardner higher you even get all
the stuff when he argued called
strike can you put into words
the emotions of this roller
coaster game this is absolutely
the most unbelievable game I
haven't played and seen so I'm
really proud of my teammates we
came from them you know we came
from back in September and we
mono went down we you know we
all got together and we said
we've got to pull these out and
here we are we going in the
postseason you fell behind three
nothing the game keep going back
and forth yet you guys didn't
give up.
How much of a factor was this
crowd cheering you on.
Well we know you know fifty five
fifty five thousand people is
going to help us win they always
surpass the whole year and I
mean we did it for them.
You said this the greatest game
you've ever played and you've
been in a lot a lot of games a
lot of postseason games.
Tell me your thoughts I'm going
to fix the Yankees a few hours.
Well I got to her when he said
well we got to give the
tiebreaker.
I said well you've got to help
the kid with you this time.
I know we want to win and we
didn't let it go bad.
The good luck charm.
The greatest game he says he's
ever been involved with.
Back to you Jim and so did an
historic night at the Metrodome.
On other playoff round is
Orlando Cabrera and the twins
become the first team down three
games in the standings with four
to play.
They take a victory lap as Joe
Mauer leads the charge down the
right field line fifty four
thousand eighty eight.
Twins fans going crazy as they
will see their beloved Twins
play game three in this ballpark
against good new york in the
party continues down on the
Metrodome turf again.
Craig Sager Well Sarge if I had
run a homeowner doing a victory
lap around the stadium and
started chanting MVP at the
beginning the game you're in
right now let's play this game.
Again they don't need to you
know get their head down for
anything.
Well World Baseball game will
play baseball again.
I haven't even heard of it so
many great plays particularly at
the plate club in your back
their country.
Did you get nervous today to win
that game.
More tired than anything built
together but feels good right
now.
Right continue Victor
celebration yet.
Fifty five thousand waiting for
you that day.
You.
Continue this unbelievable run
17 of 21 there is something to
be said about momentum.
But the Metrodome magic won't
rise up again until Game 3.
If they go to New York where the
Yankees under one Gardner hired
regular season play have been
dominant and Joe Girardi has
told us that the three comeback
wins they had against the twins
in their head to head matchup at
new Yankee Stadium was one of
many turning points in what's
been a fantastic New York
Yankees season.
Those were three walk off wins
well jubilation and a huge win
in game 163.
What is your reward.
The Bronx Bombers.
Yeah and they are three and
twenty three against them in the
regular season under Ron Gordon
higher positive No.
2 or 2 in the postseason.
But they're going to play a heck
of a team in the Bronx so the
celebration will begin at the
Minnesota clubhouse and as
jubilant as the twins are.
They know that 0 and 7 against
the Yankees is not something
that they're real excited about.
And it'll be C.C. Sabathia
getting the ball for New York in
Game 1 of that series tomorrow
at 8 6 0 7 or thereabouts.
First pitch Eastern Time here on
CBS and we believe it will be
Brian Dunn saying he will start
for the Minnesota Twins and go
seven at least Bryant.
Yeah that's what Ron Gardner has
said at times he was praying for
someone practically begging he
said for someone to take the
ball seven innings for this
Minnesota club and a very classy
move I think by Joe Mauer to
congratulate Jim Leland and his
Detroit Tigers.
You can't sugarcoat the fact
that they let the biggest lead
in division history slip by the
boards to this Minnesota
ballclub but that does nothing
to diminish what that ballclub
accomplished and what has been
an unbelievably inspirational
year for the city of Detroit.
The fans of this tiger ballclub
Leland as we told you said this
would not be a good year to not
run out of ground ball.
They ran out everything in this
game tonight and fell just one
run short that showed some
incredible fight.
They got up three did nothing
but I think Jim Lee Allen's
words were very prescient.
He said he had the add on runs
early.
They were not able to then
became the sparring match and
extra innings and the man had
the twins for Metrodome proud
that this win.
What a great night twelve inning
final.
The Minnesota Twins again
champions to the American League
Central.
They beat the Tigers 6 5 and
after a break Ernie Johnson in
our Atlanta studios.
