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Twins call on LHP Satana for series finale vs. Tigers

Sep 26, 2007 - 1:35 PM Minnesota (77-80) at Detroit (86-72) 7:05 pm EDT

DETROIT (Ticker) - If the Detroit Tigers are going to keep their postseason hopes alive they will have to get by Johan Santana in the series finale against the Minnesota Twins on Wednesday.

With Tuesday's 8-0 thrashing of the Twins, Detroit closed within 4 1/2 games of the New York Yankees (90-67) in the American League wild card chase. But New York can clinch the wild card with a win or a loss by the Tigers.

"Bottom line we are not going to the playoffs," Tigers manager Jim Leyland said. "I'm not a idiot. New York is going to win and we are going home on Monday. I'm very proud of this team and happy with the effort they put forth all season. Our job is to keep it going for years to come."

Santana (15-13, 3.29 ERA) looks to rebound after two lackluster outings. In his last start, the lefthander was tagged for six runs and eight hits over seven innings in Friday's loss to the Chicago White Sox.

The reigning AL Cy Young Award winner is 11-5 with a 2.79 ERA in 26 career appearances against the Tigers.

Detroit will counter with rookie Jair Jurrjens (3-1, 3.90), who dazzled through 5 1/3 innings to beat Minnesota on September 16 at the Metrodome.

The 21-year-old righthander is also looking to bounce back from his last outing, in which he was hammered for four runs and six hits in 2 1/3 frames in a loss to Kansas City on Friday.