Saturday's nationally televised bout saw the Detroit Tigers (47-37) face off against the Minnesota Twins (45-41). Dick Stockton and Detroit's own color commentator Rod Allen called the game on FOX Sports.
The Tigers jumped off to an early lead, as they did Friday night, with a 2-run home run by Miguel Cabrera in the first inning. In the second inning, Alex Avila knocked a solo home run to the opposite field, giving the Tigers a 3-0 lead.
The score wouldn't stand for long as the Twins Orlando Hudson came through with runners on second and third, singling to left field, scoring a pair.
The Tigers power hitters, however, were not backing down; Magglio Ordonez blasted a 374 ft. home run down the left field line, extending the lead 4-2. Another home run, this time by Twins first baseman Michael Cuddyer, was a no-doubter that was blasted well beyond the bullpen in left field.
With a 3-game lead on the Twins in the American League Central, and the score 4-3 in the bottom of the fifth, Ramon Santiago doubled over the head of left fielder Delmon Young, who was playing shallow. Austin Jackson was walked by starting pitcher Nick Blackburn. After a visit by pitching coach Rick Anderson, Blackburn didn't quite settle down. He gave up a 3-run dinger to DH Johnny Damon.
That would be it for Blackburn, who gave up seven runs on seven hits in five innings pitched.
Twins woes continued even after Blackburn left. He gave way to lefty Brian Duensing who walked Cabrera, gave up a double to Brennan Boesch, and intentionally walked Brandon Inge to load the bases. But, Duensing managed to work his way out of the jam with an Avila fly ball.
Fast forwarding to the top of inning number nine with the score 7-4 Tigers, in came closer Jose 'Papa Grande' Valverde to shut down the game. He came into the game with a 0.95 ERA and will represent the Tigers and the American League in Tuesday's All-Star Game.
Valverde's first batter, Jim Thome, stuck out swinging on a 3-2 count. Jason Kubel, his second batter, also struck out swinging on a full count. With Cuddyer stepping up to the plate, the crowd rose to its feet. Valverde got Cuddyer to Inge who made a nice play to end the game, as he did Friday night.
The Tigers lead the series 2-0.
Before the game:
Miss USA 2010, Dearborn native Rima Fakih threw out the first pitch.
Fakih high-fives a friend after throwing out the first pitch
Comerica Park is a ballpark like no other
A sellout crowd of 41, 461 packed Comerica Park Saturday afternoon
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