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Tigers down Twins

Jul 25, 2011 - 12:55 AM Minneapolis, MN (Sports Network) - The Detroit Tigers received a strong effort from Rick Porcello and took advantage of several Minnesota Twins gaffes to earn a 5-2 win in the finale of a four-game series.

Porcello (10-6) allowed two runs on five hits while striking out four over six innings to record his fourth consecutive victory.

Jose Valverde earned his 26th save of the season.

Jhonny Peralta, Wilson Betemit and Ramon Santiago each had an RBI and the Tigers, who took three of four in the series, plated two runs on wild pitches from Francisco Liriano and Anthony Swarzak, respectively.

Liriano (6-8) lasted just 2 1/3 innings, allowing four runs on six hits and four walks.

Jim Thome and Delmon Young each drove in a run for the Twins.

Liriano hurt himself in the second, issuing a one-out walk to Ryan Raburn before throwing a wild pitch to Betemit, which allowed Raburn to advance. Betemit struck out, but Santiago followed with an infield single to place runners on the corners. Liriano's second wild pitch, this time to Austin Jackson, plated Raburn.

Magglio Ordonez drew a walk to begin the third and, after a Miguel Cabrera strikeout, four straight singles by Victor Martinez, Peralta, Raburn and Betemit pushed two runs across and marked the end of Liriano's day.

Swarzak entered with the bases loaded and allowed a run to cross the plate when Santiago reached base on Alexi Casilla's fielding error. Swarzak was able to get out of the inning, but not before the Tigers made it a 4-0 contest.

"It always starts with your opening pitcher," said Twins manager Ron Gardenhire. "When you end up in your bullpen and you're playing too much defense early in games it takes all the momentum away from you."

The Twins got on the board in the fourth, as Michael Cuddyer drew a leadoff walk, advanced to third on Danny Valencia's double and scored on Thome's groundout. Young then made it a 4-2 game with an RBI double to left.

Jackson led off the sixth with a double, moved to third on Ordonez's fly out and scored when Swarzak -- like Liriano -- issued a wild pitch.

"It's tough to go into anyone's home territory and get some big wins," said Jackson. "We did that tonight. We were patient off Liriano, we got some cheap hits and we put some things together."

Game Notes

Minnesota stranded six and was 1-for-9 with runners in scoring position...The Tigers are 22-11 against divisional opponents this season...The Twins are now seven games back of the AL Central-leading Tigers.