Justin Morneau Hits Game-Winning RBI Single To Beat Tigers, 6-5

Justin Morneau smacked a two-run RBI single off Tigers closer Jose Valverde in the ninth inning to break a 4-4 tie and give the Twins a 6-5 win.

Jim Thome hit another home run for the Twins as well, the 601st of his career, to help the Twins take two of three from Detroit.

Miguel Cabrera knocked in a couple of runs for Detroit, including one in the bottom of the ninth that cut the lead to 6-5, but it wasn’t enough in the end.

Brad Penny started and held a 2-1 lead going into the seventh inning, but gave up a two-run shot to Rene Tosoni that quickly gave the Twins a 3-2 lead. Cabrera tied it in the bottom half of the inning with an RBI single, but the Twins got the lead right back in the eighth on Thome’s RBI single.

The turning point came in the bottom of the eighth when Detroit loaded the bases with nobody out, but was only able to score a run on a sacrifice fly by Wilson Betemit to tie the game at four.

The Twins did the same in the ninth, loading the bases thanks to a bobbled bunt by Valverde and a questionable safe call at first base. Valverde struck out the next two batters, but gave up Morneau’s game-winning hit.

Tigers, Twins Face Off In Series Rubber Match

(Sports Network) – The Detroit Tigers try to continue their recent mastery of the Minnesota Twins this evening when the American League Central rivals play the rubber match of a three-game series at Comerica Park.

Detroit has handled the Twins this season, taking nine of the 11 matchups, including four of the five in the Motor City. Dating back to last season, the Tigers have won seven of eight at home in the series and 13 of their last 15 overall.

That was certainly the case on Tuesday, as Miguel Cabrera knocked in three runs and Justin Verlander pitched into the eighth inning to help the Tigers take a 7-1 victory.

Verlander (18-5) allowed one run on seven hits and a walk in 7 2/3 innings. He also struck out eight in his sixth straight and major league-leading 18th win.

“In the fourth, fifth and sixth [innings] I really got into it and started throwing my curveball much better,” said Verlander. “It’s a lot easier when your guys give you a seven-run lead.”

Ramon Santiago added a home run in Detroit’s fourth win in six games overall.

Nick Blackburn (7-10) allowed five runs on 11 hits and two walks in just 4 2/3 innings to take his fourth straight losing decision.

“These guys are tough. If you make a mistake they’re going to put it in play,” Blackburn said about Detroit. “That’s why they’re winning this division right now.”

Justin Morneau knocked in the lone run for the Twins, who won Monday’s opener, but have lost 12 of their last 15.

Getting the call for the Tigers tonight will be righty Brad Penny, who snapped a three-start losing streak his last time out. Penny defeated the Baltimore Orioles on Friday, holding them to four runs and seven hits in 5 1/3 innings to run his record to 8-9 on the year to go along with a 4.99 ERA.

“We won, and that’s all I care about,” said Penny, who has given up 16 runs in 15 1/3 innings over his last three starts.

Penny lost to the Twins the last time he faced them and is 2-1 in five starts against them with a 5.64 ERA.

Minnesota, meanwhile, will counter with right-handed veteran Carl Pavano, who is 6-9 with a 4.55 ERA. Pavano did not get a decision on Friday in Cleveland, but pitched well, allowing one earned run in 7 1/3 innings of his team’s 3-2 loss. He hasn’t won since beating the Chicago White Sox back on July 7.

“Carl pitched about as good as you can pitch,” Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said. “He pitched through a lot of bad plays defensively. He did everything he could possibly do and we couldn’t finish it off for him.”

Pavano was defeated by the Tigers back on July 21, but is 5-3 lifetime against them with a 4.12 ERA in 10 starts.

Justin Verlander Cruises To 18th Win As Tigers Light Up Twins

Justin Verlander shook off a bit of a rocky start and pitched another gem to pick up his 18th win in a 7-1 drubbing of Minnesota.

Verlander (18-5) also picked up his 14th win following a Tigers loss this season. He threw 7 2/3 innings, giving up a run on seven hits while striking out eight.

Verlander looked a little off in the first inning, giving up a lead off hit and a walk, but he struck out two batters and eventually got out of the inning unscathed.

Offensively, Alex Avila continued his scorching-hot August with a 2-for-2 performance at the plate, driving in a run and walking twice. Miguel Cabrera went 2-for-3 with three RBI.

Cabrera’s third-inning hit scored Brennan Boesch and Delmon Young to get Detroit on the board, giving Verlander all the run support he’d need. The Tigers weren’t done though, tacking on two runs each in the fifth and sixth innings to stretch the lead to 7-0.

Verlander eventually got touched up on the scoreboard when he allowed an RBI single to Justin Morneau with two outs in the eighth to score the Twins’ only run. Phil Coke came in and threw one pitch to Jason Kubel, who flew out to end the inning.

With such a big lead, Jose Valverde got the night off and Joaquin Benoit pitched the ninth.

Verlander lowered his ERA to 2.31 and his WHIP to 0.88.

Justin Verlander Looks To Put Tigers Back On Winning Track Vs. Twins

(Sports Network) – The Minnesota Twins will try to follow up Jim Thome’s milestone night this evening when they continue a three-game series against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park.

Thome finished 3-for-4 with a pair of home runs — including his 600th career blast — and drove in five as Minnesota rolled to a 9-6 win in Monday’s opener.

The historic blast came in the seventh inning off Tigers left-handed reliever Daniel Schlereth. The 40-year-old became the eighth player in baseball history to reach the milestone, and the first since Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez last season.

“I’m a huge fan of his,” Schlereth said when asked how he felt to be on the opposite side of history. “He did a great thing tonight. I felt kind of awkward … I didn’t know whether to clap or what. I didn’t know what to do. I’m probably going to write him a letter and congratulate him on his accomplishment.”

Thome entered play with 598 career homers, and hit his first of the contest — a two-run blast to left — in the sixth inning off Detroit starter Rick Porcello.

“I envisioned doing this in Minnesota, amongst the home fans. But to do it anywhere is great,” said Thome. “To do it in a Twins uni is just very cool. In a visiting park, they give you a standing ovation is just cool. To watch them stand up and cheer is very special. (It’s) something I’ll never forget.”

Ben Revere added two hits and two RBI for the Twins, who won for just the second time in their last 10 games.

Francisco Liriano (8-9) gave up nine hits and five runs over six innings to earn the win. Joe Nathan shut the door in the ninth for his 10th save.

Victor Martinez hit a two-run home run, Ryan Raburn added a solo homer and Alex Avila finished 3-for-4 and a home run short of the cycle for the Tigers, who have lost two in a row following a three-game win streak.

Delmon Young, acquired by Detroit prior to the game from Minnesota for pitcher Cole Nelson and a player to be named later, also went deep in the setback.

It didn’t help Porcello (11-8), who was tagged in defeat for nine hits and six runs — four earned — over six full frames.

Remaining in the win column may prove to be difficult for Minnesota tonight, as the Twins will be going up against Justin Verlander, who has been the best pitcher in baseball this season and will be trying for his major league- leading 18th win of the year.

Verlander won his fifth straight start on Thursday in Cleveland, holding the Tribe to three runs and three hits in seven innings. He also struck out 10 and improved to 17-5 on the year to go along with a 2.35 ERA.

The right-hander gave up a run in eight innings to beat the Twins the last time he faced them and is 8-7 lifetime against them with a 3.55 ERA in 19 starts.

Minnesota will counter with righty Nick Blackburn, who is 7-9 with a 4.36 ERA. Blackburn has lost his last three decisions but did not get a decision on Wednesday against Boston despite a terrific effort that saw him surrender just an unearned run in 6 2/3 innings of a 5-2 win.

Blackburn has faced the Tigers 12 times (10 starts) and is 4-5 with a 5.03 ERA.

Detroit has handled the Twins this season, taking eight of the 10 matchups, including three of the four in the Motor City. Dating back to last season, the Tigers have won six of seven at home in the series and 12 of their last 14 overall.

Of Course, Jim Thome's 600th Home Run Comes In Detroit

Tigers Fall To Twins, 9-6, As Jim Thome Hits 600th Homer

Detroit, MI (Sports Network) - Jim Thome finished 3-for-4 with a pair of home runs -- including his 600th career blast -- and drove in five as Minnesota outslugged Detroit, 9-6, in the opener of a three-game series from Comerica Park.

The historic blast came in the seventh inning off Tigers left-handed reliever Daniel Schlereth. The 40-year-old became the eighth player in baseball history to reach the milestone, and the first since Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez last season.

Thome entered play with 598 career homers, and hit his first of the contest -- a two-run blast to left -- in the sixth inning off Detroit starter Rick Porcello.

Ben Revere added two hits and two RBI for the Twins, who won for just the second time in their last 10 games.

Francisco Liriano (8-9) gave up nine hits and five runs over six innings to earn the win. Joe Nathan shut the door in the ninth for his 10th save.

Tigers Return Home To Face Twins

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