Silva impresses in penultimate start

DETROIT - Up to their necks in contract issues, the Twins could take comfort Monday knowing that at this time last year, they got one right.

By Joe Christensen, Star Tribune

Last update: September 24, 2007 - 11:51 PM

DETROIT - Up to their necks in contract issues, the Twins could take comfort Monday knowing that at this time last year, they got one right.

Carlos Silva had a miserable 2006 season, but the Twins picked up his $4.3 million option anyway, and he has rewarded them with a strong 2007. Of course, he's padding his résumé just in time to test the free-agent market.

With agent Peter Greenberg watching, along with scouts from several teams, Silva won a tight pitcher's duel with Nate Robertson, as the Twins ended their seven-game losing streak against Detroit by beating the Tigers 2-0 at Comerica Park.

Silva (13-14) held the Tigers to six hits in 7 2/3 innings, lowering his ERA to 4.22 and notching his ninth quality start in his past 11 outings.

"A lot was said about whether he going to be able to help this team out," Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said. "I think we've all seen that he's done very well here, eating up a lot of innings."

Entering Monday, only 27 pitchers in the majors had eclipsed the 200-inning mark. Silva has 196 with one start remaining, Saturday at Boston.

"That's why you work hard," Silva said. "Right now, I slow down my workouts a little bit, and I feel good because my early work is paying off."

Robertson (8-13) held the Twins to one run on three hits in seven innings.

The Twins grabbed a second-inning lead, when Nick Punto delivered a two-out RBI single.

Still clinging to that 1-0 lead in the eighth, Gardenhire turned to lefthander Glen Perkins to face the Tigers' Curtis Granderson. Jim Leyland countered with the righthanded-hitting Ryan Rayburn, but Perkins got him to ground out on the first pitch.

Joe Nathan came on for the ninth, and with two outs, the Tigers put runners at the corners before he got Ivan Rodriguez to ground out for Nathan's 35th save. Detroit now is one loss away, or one Yankees victory away, from being eliminated from postseason contention.

Tintor suspended

Eli Tintor, a Hibbing, Minn., native who batted .235 in 109 games split between Class A Beloit and Fort Myers this season, received a 50-game suspension for testing positive for a drug of abuse under the Minor League Drug Prevention and Treatment program.

Tintor, 22, will serve the suspension at the beginning of next season. It was his second offense.

"We're disappointed it came to this, obviously," Twins minor league director Jim Rantz said. "The player has to be accountable for his actions."

Etc.

• Rondell White said he is still 99 percent certain he will retire at season's end. "My wife said to wait until the offseason to see how I feel," White said. "I'll leave a small window open, but I've pretty much made up my mind." White is hitting .158 after going 1-for-4 as the Twins designated hitter Monday.

• Lew Ford was scratched from the starting lineup because of a sore hand.

Joe Christensen • jchristensen@startribune.com