DETROIT (AP)—Detroit Tigers All-Star third baseman Brandon Inge will undergo surgery on both knees next month. The team said Thursday that the Nov. 3 procedure at the Detroit Medical Center will address patella tendinitis that plagued Inge throughout this past season. Inge is expected to be ready for the start of spring training in February.

ANN ARBOR, Mich.—Detroit Tigers all-star Brandon Inge has dedicated two recent homers to pediatric patients he knows at Mott Children’s Hospital. And now, they’re making requests. “Can you try to hit a home run?“ 11-year-old Jonelle Bailey asked Inge yesterday afternoon from her hospital bed during his latest visit. “I’ll try,“ Inge said, looking back with a smile.

DETROIT - Brandon Inge went into last night’s game hitting just .188 since his first All-Star Game. His average didn’t get much better, but his psyche did. With one out in the ninth inning, the former Virginia Commonwealth star hit a 2-1 pitch from Roman Colon (1-2) into the bullpen in left field to give the Detroit Tigers a 1-0 victory over Kansas City.

DETROIT—All-star Brandon Inge said he wasn’t sure how to prepare for tonight’s Home Run Derby, but the Cleveland Indians gave him a good chance to warm up. Inge, a former VCU standout, homered twice yesterday to give him 21 on the season, and the Detroit Tigers rode a strong pitching performance from ex-Goochland High standout Justin Verlander to rout the Indians 10-1.

HOUSTON - Brandon Inge knew what pitch was coming, and he salvaged the Detroit Tigers’ final game in Houston with a single swing. The former VCU star hit a two-run homer off Jose Valverde with two outs in the ninth inning, and the Tigers averted a sweep with a 4-3 win over the Astros yesterday. Kaz Matsui’s RBI double off Edwin Jackson in the seventh gave Houston a 3-2 lead.

DETROIT—Any thoughts of a repeat no-hitter for Justin Verlander left the park along with that first-inning homer he gave up. Settling for another win against Milwaukee would have to do. In his second start against the Brewers, and with the same plate umpire as in his no-hitter, Verlander (Goochland High, Old Dominion) pitched into the eighth and Brandon Inge (VCU), hit a three-run homer to lead the Tigers to a 3-2 win over Milwaukee.

Brandon Inge appreciates the compliments regarding his versatility as a baseball player. But he would rather you save them for five or 10 years.