Bazardo set for first start as Tigers battle Twins

Sep 15, 2007, 14:51 GMT

- In the midst of a playoff chase, Yorman Bazardo will make his first major league start for the Detroit Tigers this evening when they resume their three-game series with the Minnesota Twins at the Metrodome.

Bazardo takes the hill for just the 11th time in his big league career tonight with his Tigers 3 1/2 games back of the New York Yankees in the AL wild card race and 5 1/2 behind the Cleveland Indians in the AL Central.

The 23-year-old right-hander has made nine relief appearances for the Tigers this season and is 1-1 with a 3.00 ERA. However, he has never faced the Twins.

As if the young Bazardo didn't have enough pressure on him, he will be opposing two-time AL Cy Young Award winner Johan Santana, who is 15-11 with a 3.09 ERA. Santana picked up his first win in three starts on Sunday against the Chicago White Sox, as he allowed a run and five hits in seven innings.

Santana is 1-2 this season against the Tigers, but is 11-4 lifetime against them with a save and a a 2.69 ERA in 25 games, 19 of which have been starts.

In the opener of this set on Friday, Timo Perez knocked in three runs to guide Detroit to a 4-2 win. Ivan Rodriguez added an RBI while Carlos Guillen scored twice for the Tigers, who have won three straight and eight of their last 10 games.

Nate Robertson (8-11) got the nod and pitched seven quality innings, allowing two runs on five hits while striking out five.

Matt Garza (3-6) was not quite as effective, surrendering four runs over 5 2/3 frames for the Twins, who have dropped two in a row and eight of 11. Justin Morneau hit his 30th homer in defeat.

The Twins have also lost five in a row at home and haven't lost six in a row at the Metrodome since June 17-July 6, 2000.

Detroit has won eight of the 13 overall meetings between these AL Central foes in 2007.

© 2007 The Sports Network