Tigers-Twins Thursday Title Tidbits

The Minnesota Twins are finding out just how hard it is to tame the Detroit Tigers. But credit the AL Central foes for both trying to stay alive in the closest division race this October. Ron Gardenhire’s club still has some life left in them after blowing a two-run lead Wednesday night and losing 7-2 in Motown. The Tigers had a chance to clinch the division in the final of the four game series this afternoon but failed to seal the deal. Detroit finishes the season with a three-game home series against the Chicago Whitesox. Minnesota returns to the Metrodome to confront CY Young hopeful, Zack Greinke and the Kansas City Royals. The Royals and Whitesox have nothing left to prove. They will likely go to town with the idea of playing spoiler and watching their division opponents plunge this late in the year. Expect both teams to mean business, dust off the rustiness and play contrary to their insignificant records.
The now 85-74 Tigers bounced back, and Minnesota delegated control last night to put Detroit on the brink of an AL Central title for the first time since 1987. Hurler Eddie Bonine survived a shaky start and settled into somewhat of a grove against the persistent and enthusiastic Twins. What began as a catastrophic start concluded with Bonine tossing five innings in just his ninth career start. He allowed two runs in the first inning but shut down Minnesota the rest of his outing. Bonine fanned three and walked two. He scattered seven hits, but earned his first victory of 2009. Carl Pavano was the pitcher on the losing side for Minnesota. Pavano’s team was not able to get anything going offensively and the pitcher’s quality of work was not good enough. Magglio Ordonez’s keyed the drastic hit, a double in the fifth inning, clearing the bases for the Tigers. The three run frame was the final time either team would score, and the runs needed to secure the five run win for the three-game division leaders. With today’s loss, Detroit’s lead was trimmed to two games. The Tigers failed in their first try at clinching the division. The Twins are capable of knocking off the Royals in three games. They must win all three, and hope for the Whitesox to take two out of three in Detroit. The Tigers are expected to wash away their division drought but they can’t depend only on the Royals to do so.
It always amazes me how the Twins do the same thing every year. Gardenhire’s team-building coaching works and he always motivates his men for a second season. Even if the Twins fall short, they deserve credit for hanging in the race until the final week. Despite injuries and trades, the small market swingers in Minnesota have a lot to be proud of. As for the Tigers, they really control their own destiny with a deep lineup and steady set of arms. Their pitching will win them games, unlike today when the Twins blew the game open in the eighth against an inferior bullpen. Minnesota caused friction for Casey Fien after Nate Robertson pitched six innings of four-run ball. Robertson’s nine hits allowed were enormous enough but only one of the runs he was charged with was earned. Scott Baker gave up an unearned run through five solid innings for the Twins. Baker snagged his 15th win of the year with today’s 8-3 showing in front of the Motor City’s first sellout crowd since July 25th. Minnesota had much more punch at the plate than the previous night. Maybe they knew this game was one they just couldn’t afford to lose.
Control issues were a concern throughout the game for Detroit this afternoon, but became even more prevalent with the institution of Fien and Bobby Seay. Orlando Cabrera unleashed a double to left field to drive in three runs during the eventful eighth. The player affixed with the tag of being the greatest hitting catcher of our era, Joe Mauer, punched Cabrera in with a single to the same area in left field for Minnesota’s final run. Mauer was not behind the plate to star of defense today. Instead, skipper Gardenhire placed him in the lineup as the DH. The talented 26 year old unloaded by supplying two hits, two RBIs and scoring one run for the visiting club. The Twins were not efficient in the field, committing a season-high four errors with the gloves. The game got ugly after Jeremy Bonderman hit Twins’ outfielder, Delmon Young with a pitch. Manager Jim Leyland was ejected following an argument with umpire, Angel Hernandez in the top of the ninth. Bonderman and his batterymate, Gerald Laird, were tossed in the home half of the ninth.

Parting points: A pair of songs for a new month- “It’s All Been Done” by Barenaked Ladies and “Torn” by Natalie Imbruglia