Detroit vs AL Central, Game 3 Recap; Defense Matters

Baseball is a team game, but the play of one player can sometimes change everything. That was evident in Game 2 of this series when Delmon Young committed one error and was close to committing two more in a loss to the AL Central. As the result, he was the DH in Saturday's game as the series switched to Target Field in Minneapolis.

In a welcome change of pace, the game wasn't decided before the crowd had a chance to settle down. Credit that to the fine pitching performances delivered by White Sox pitcher Gavin Floyd and Doug Fister of the Tigers. Neither of them allowed a run through six innings. For Floyd, the performance was not one of his best performances, but none of his worst either. Facing the powerhouse Detroit lineup, Floyd managed to spread only one walk and four hits through his seven innings of work before giving away to the AL Central bullpen.

Fister was much better. Through his seven innings of work, he managed to give up only two hits and a walk with five strikeouts. (Floyd had eight K's.) In Fact, he had a no-hitter through six and a third of an inning with the only blemish being a walk to Grady Sizemore in the 2nd in the attempt to show the Cleveland Indians who is boss. Then Shin Soo Choo broke up the no-hitter with a single to right center.

But, the Tigers forgot who plays at Target. That would be the Minnesota Twins, and Catcher Joe Mauer. Batting for the American League Central, he delivered the only run of the game by crushing a home run toward right center in the bottom of the 7th inning. This result ensured that Floyd would get the win.

Royals closer Joakim Soria pitched a perfect 9th for the save.

Studs

Mauer with the only Run of the game

Miguel Cabrera with a great play to rob Grady Sizemore of a double in the 5th

Duds

The fans who hate a defensive struggle

Schedule and Results

Thursday: Detroit 7-3 in Detroit

Friday: AL Central 9-1 in Detroit

Saturday: AL Central 1-0 in Minneapolis

Sunday: Detroit at AL Central in Minneapolis

Monday: AL Central at Detroit

Game 4 Lineups

Detroit: 1. A. Jackson, CF; 2. Young, DH; 3. Fielder, 1B; 4. Kelly, LF; 5. M. Cabrera, 3B; 6. Peralta, SS; 7. Dirks, RF; 8. Santiago, 2B; 9. Laird, C; Pitcher: Rick Porcello

AL Central: 1. Span, CF; 2, Hosmer, DH; 3. Mauer, C; 4. Konerko, 1B; 5. Sizemore, RF; 6. Chisenhall, 3B; 7. Choo, LF; 8. Moustakas, 2B; 9. Escobar, SS; Pitcher: Justin Masterson

Inning by Inning Recap

Pregame note: Brandon Inge (Det) who was hurt in yesterday's game was treated for a torn Tendon in his left wrist. Doctors performed successful surgery on him and he will miss about two months of action. Andy Dirks replaces Inge on the Detroit roster.

Top 1st (1-2-3 for Detroit)
Gavin Floyd Enters the game to pitch for AL Central
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1. A. Jackson flies out to right center (Fielded by 9)
2. Young fouls out to 1st Base
3. Fielder grounds out to second (4-3 Play)

Bottom 1st (1-2-3 for AL Central)
Doug Fister Enters the game to pitch for Detroit
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1. Span hits a line drive toward Left Center but it is snagged for the out. (Fielded by 8)
2. A. Cabrera Strikes out
3. Mauer hits a line out toward short (Fielded by 6)

Top 2nd (4-5-6 for Detroit)
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4. Kelly hits a single to left Center (Fielded by 7)
5. M. Cabrera strikes out
6. Peralta flies out to right, Kelly advances to second for the sacrifice (Fielded by 9)
7. Dirks Grounds out to second (4-3 play)

Bottom 2nd (4-5-6 for AL Central)
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4. Konerko grounds out between 1st and 2nd (4-3 play)
5. Sizemore is intentionally Walked on four pitches
6. Chisenhall grounds into a double play at short (6-4-3 play)

Top 3rd (8-9-1 for Detroit)
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8. Santiago Grounds out to second (4-3 play)
9. Laird hits a double toward right field, but it turns foul and he strikes out on the very next pitch.
1. A. Jackson draws a walk on six pitches
2. Young Strikes out

Bottom 3rd (7-8-9 for AL Central)
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7. Santana flies out to left center (Fielded by 8)
8. Choo hits a long drive toward center but A. Jackson makes the out at the wall.
9. Escobar grounds out to 1st. (3-1 play)

Top 4th (3-4-5 for Detroit)
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3. Fielder Lines out to short (Fielded by 6)
4. Kelly hits a long drive toward right but he is out (Fielded by 9)
5. M. Cabrera hits a single toward right center (Fielded by 8)
6. Peralta strikes out

Bottom 4th (1-2-3 for AL Central)
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1. Span flies out to right center
2. A. Cabrera strikes out
3. Mauer lines out to second (4-3 play)

Top 5th (7-8-9 for Detroit)
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7. Dirks Lines out to third (5-3 play)
8. Santiago get hit by the pitch, but strikes out in the process, the ball falls into the dirt and Mauer throws him out at first.
9. Laird grounds out to third (5-3 play)

Bottom 5th (4-5-6 for AL Central)
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4. Konerko Lines out to left field (Fielded by 7)
5. Sizemore hits what appears to be a sure double, but it pops right into M. Cabrera's glove for the out. You would have thought his wife died judging by Sizemore's reaction.
6. chisenhall strikes out

Top 6th (1-2-3 for Detroit)
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1. A. Jackson strikes out
2. Young hits a liner to left for a single (Fielded by 7)
3. Fielder flies out to dead center (fielded by 8)
4. Kelly Lines out to first (Fielded by 3 (Konerko fields the ball and beats Kelly to the bag.))

Bottom 6th (7-8-9 for AL Central)
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7. Santana hits a liner to left but right at Kelly for the out
8. Choo hits a single toward right center, runner at 1st. (Fielded by 9)
9. Escobar sac bunts toward the mound, choo advances to second, (1-3 play)
1. Span hits a liner right at short for the out (Fielded by 6)

Top 7th (5-6-7 for Detroit)
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5. M. Cabrera Strikes out
6. Peralta grounds out to the pitcher (1-3 play)
7. Dirks hits a liner to left for a single, Runner at 1st. (Fielded by 7)
8. Santiago strikes out

Bottom 7th (2-3-4 for AL Central)
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2. A. Cabrera Strikes out
3. Mauer crushes a home run to right Center field
4. Konerko Flies out to Center (Fielded by 8)
5. Sizemore Strikes out

Top 8th (9-1-2 for Detroit)
Glen Perkins Enters the game to Pitch for AL Central
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9. Laird Grounds out to second (4-3 play)
1. A. Jackson Hits a single to right Center, Runner at 1st (Fielded by 8)
2. Young Strikes out
3. Fielder Flies out to right (Fielded by 9)

Bottom 8th (6-7-8 for AL Central)
Al Alburquerque Enters the game to Pitch for Detroit
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6. Chisenhall Strikes out
7. Santana Flies out to right-center (Fielded by 9)
8. Choo Strikes out

Top 9th (4-5-6 for Detroit)
Joakim Soria enters the game to pitch for AL Central
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4. Kelly flies out to left Center (Fielded by 7)
5. M. Cabrera grounds out to short (6-3 play)
6. Peralta Strikes out