The Detroit Tigers 6-4 win over the Minnesota Twins Saturday, combined with the Chicago White Sox losing to the Tampa Bay Rays, once again gives Detroit a two game lead in the AL Central standings.
Justin Verlander (17-8, 2.64 ERA) gave up on unearned run and struck out eight in seven innings and left with a 6-0 lead, but Detroit's bullpen made things interesting in the eighth. Joaquin Benoit relieved Verlander with a runner on base after Denard Span reached on an error. Benoit walked Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau to load the bases, then gave up a grand slam to Ryan Doumit to make it 6-4. Doumit also drove in four runs in Minnesota's win over Detroit Friday.
Jose Valverde walked Span to lead off the ninth inning, but got the next three batters out.
The Tigers took a 2-0 lead early on a solo home run by Prince Fielder and an RBI-double by Jhonny Peralta in the second inning.
Detroit picked up four more runs in the eighth. Miguel Cabrera hit a 3-run home run, his 43rd of the year, tying him with Josh Hamilton for the league lead and putting him atop all three Triple Crown categories. Mauer, who Cabrera is trying to hold off in the race for the batting title, was 0-for-3 in the game.
Andy Dirks hit a solo home run in the eighth.