Scott Baker had a strong start and
got plenty of run support, helping the Twins beat the Detroit Tigers 8-3
Thursday to avoid elimination from playoff contention.
The AL Central-leading Tigers had a
chance to clinch their first division title since 1987 in the finale of
the four-game series, but their bats were quieted and their pitchers
got roughed up in a three-run third inning and a four-run eighth.
The tightest race in baseball won't be decided until this weekend — or early next week if a tiebreaker is necessary.
Minnesota has clinched the season
series and would host an extra playoff game if it's needed, likely on Tuesday,
because the Vikings are playing on Monday night at the Metrodome.
If Detroit beats the Chicago White
Sox twice at home, it would win the division. If not, the Tigers would
need some help from the Kansas City Royals, who end the season at
Minnesota.
Baker (15-9) gave up an unearned run and five hits over five innings.
Jon Rauch, Ron Mahay and Matt
Guerrier combined to pitch 2 2/3 scoreless innings until Minnesota
matched its season high with a fourth error, allowing Detroit to score
a pair of two-out runs that made it 8-3.
Nate Robertson (2-3) gave up four
runs — three earned — and nine hits in six-plus innings. Rookie Ryan
Perry and Fu-Te Ni each struck out a Twin in the seventh to get out of
a bases-loaded jam, but Casey Fien and Bobby Seay each gave up two
runs in the eighth, putting the game out of reach.
Tempers flared in the eighth.
Detroit manager Jim Leyland was
ejected during a face-to-face argument with umpire Angel Hernandez in
the top of the inning — following an inside pitch — then Tigers pitcher
Jeremy Bonderman and catcher Gerald Laird were tossed in the home half.
Both benches and bullpens emptied after
Twins outfielder Delmon Young was hit by Bonderman, but the players
contained their emotions enough to avoid pushing or punching.
Minnesota had much more punch at the
plate in a game it needed to win to keep hopes alive for rallying in
the AL Central as it did in 2006, when the Twins surged and the Tigers
slumped at the end of the season. Detroit earned a spot three years ago
as the AL wild card and lost the St. Louis Cardinals in the World
Series.
The Twins went ahead 3-1 in the
third on Joe Mauer's RBI single, Michael Cuddyer's run-scoring single
and Jason Kubel's sacrifice fly. They broke the game open in the eighth
when Orlando Cabrera hit a three-run double and Mauer followed with an
RBI single to make it 8-1.
Notes
The Tigers, who rank fourth
in the AL in attendance despite the Motor City's poor economy, drew
40,533 for their first sellout since July 25. … Cabrera extended his
hitting streak to 12 games with a single in the first.