Minnesota Twins and Detroit Tigers Live Streaming MLB Channel Transmission Radio Station May 31, 2011. After an impressive start, Max Scherzer has struggled in his last two outings. A matchup with the major league-worst Minnesota Twins could help him get back into the win column.
Scherzer looks to rebound from the shortest start of his career Tuesday night when the Tigers go for their eighth straight victory over their AL Central rival.
After going 6-0 with a 3.20 ERA in his first eight starts, Scherzer (6-2, 3.86 ERA) is 0-2 with an 11.74 ERA in his last two appearances. The right-hander surrendered a season-high seven runs and seven hits over two-plus innings of Thursday's 14-1 loss to Boston.
It was the first time this season that Scherzer didn't last at least five innings.
"This just wasn't Max's day," said manager Jim Leyland. "When he threw good pitches, they found spots. When he threw bad pitches, they found spots. Sometimes when you throw a bad pitch, they will hit it right at someone, but they hit them in the gaps and over the fence."
Scherzer faced the Twins three times last season, with two of the starts terrible and one excellent. He surrendered 16 runs and 18 hits to Minnesota in eight innings over consecutive outings April 28 and May 3, 2010. However, the young starter pitched much better after a May demotion to the minors, and it showed Sept. 1, when he limited the Twins to one runs and four hits in nine innings but didn't get a decision in the Tigers' 2-1, 10-inning loss at Target Field.
Just as Scherzer emerged from his stint in Triple-A a different pitcher, Minnesota (17-35) has looked like a different team in 2011, albeit in a bad way. The two-time reigning Central champion Twins own the worst record in the majors, have dropped eight of 10 overall and all three meetings with the Tigers (27-26) this season, including a 6-5 loss in Monday's series opener.
As if Monday's loss weren't frustrating enough for Twins manager Ron Gardenhire, who was ejected for arguing a call in the eighth inning, he may be without Jason Kubel, who sprained his left foot during the game.
The right fielder leads Minnesota with a .310 batting average and 30 RBIs, and is tied for the club lead with five homers.
Minnesota, which will also be trying to avoid a season-worst fifth straight road loss, will send struggling Brian Duensing (2-5, 4.83) to the mound. The left-hander, who has lost a career-high five consecutive decisions, may finally be finding his bearings again following a relief appearance against Detroit three weeks ago.
Duensing, coming out of the bullpen after his start three days earlier at Boston was limited to two innings due to rain, walked a career high-tying four and allowed two runs in two innings of that 10-2 loss May 10.
"(Coming out of the bullpen) threw me off a little bit, but at the same time though at this level you should be able to make this adjustment," Duensing said after pitching seven innings of three-run ball in Wednesday's 3-0 loss to Seattle. "The last couple starts, I've felt a lot better."
The left-hander is 1-2 with a 3.70 ERA in four starts against the Tigers.
Miguel Cabrera, 5 for 18 with two homers off Duensing, will try to extend his season-high hitting streak to 13 after hitting a solo homer Monday. The Tigers first baseman has also hit safely in seven straight home games versus Minnesota, going 10 for 27 with five homers and 11 RBIs in those contests.
Victor Martinez hit a two-run homer Monday for Detroit, and is batting .583 with two homers and nine RBIs against Twins pitching in 2011.
Scherzer looks to rebound from the shortest start of his career Tuesday night when the Tigers go for their eighth straight victory over their AL Central rival.
7:05 PM ET, May 31, 2011
Comerica Park, Detroit, Michigan
It was the first time this season that Scherzer didn't last at least five innings.
"This just wasn't Max's day," said manager Jim Leyland. "When he threw good pitches, they found spots. When he threw bad pitches, they found spots. Sometimes when you throw a bad pitch, they will hit it right at someone, but they hit them in the gaps and over the fence."
Scherzer faced the Twins three times last season, with two of the starts terrible and one excellent. He surrendered 16 runs and 18 hits to Minnesota in eight innings over consecutive outings April 28 and May 3, 2010. However, the young starter pitched much better after a May demotion to the minors, and it showed Sept. 1, when he limited the Twins to one runs and four hits in nine innings but didn't get a decision in the Tigers' 2-1, 10-inning loss at Target Field.
Just as Scherzer emerged from his stint in Triple-A a different pitcher, Minnesota (17-35) has looked like a different team in 2011, albeit in a bad way. The two-time reigning Central champion Twins own the worst record in the majors, have dropped eight of 10 overall and all three meetings with the Tigers (27-26) this season, including a 6-5 loss in Monday's series opener.
As if Monday's loss weren't frustrating enough for Twins manager Ron Gardenhire, who was ejected for arguing a call in the eighth inning, he may be without Jason Kubel, who sprained his left foot during the game.
The right fielder leads Minnesota with a .310 batting average and 30 RBIs, and is tied for the club lead with five homers.
Minnesota, which will also be trying to avoid a season-worst fifth straight road loss, will send struggling Brian Duensing (2-5, 4.83) to the mound. The left-hander, who has lost a career-high five consecutive decisions, may finally be finding his bearings again following a relief appearance against Detroit three weeks ago.
Duensing, coming out of the bullpen after his start three days earlier at Boston was limited to two innings due to rain, walked a career high-tying four and allowed two runs in two innings of that 10-2 loss May 10.
"(Coming out of the bullpen) threw me off a little bit, but at the same time though at this level you should be able to make this adjustment," Duensing said after pitching seven innings of three-run ball in Wednesday's 3-0 loss to Seattle. "The last couple starts, I've felt a lot better."
The left-hander is 1-2 with a 3.70 ERA in four starts against the Tigers.
Miguel Cabrera, 5 for 18 with two homers off Duensing, will try to extend his season-high hitting streak to 13 after hitting a solo homer Monday. The Tigers first baseman has also hit safely in seven straight home games versus Minnesota, going 10 for 27 with five homers and 11 RBIs in those contests.
Victor Martinez hit a two-run homer Monday for Detroit, and is batting .583 with two homers and nine RBIs against Twins pitching in 2011.
