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Twins roll past Verlander, Tigers

Apr 28, 2007 - 10:15 PM DETROIT (Ticker) -- The Minnesota Twins aren't used to having success when facing Detroit Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander.

Jason Kubel drove in three runs and Joe Mauer hit his first home run of the season as the Twins topped the Tigers, 11-3, for their third consecutive victory.

Justin Morneau, Jason Tyner, Torii Hunter and Nick Punto all had multi-hit games for Minnesota, which pounded out 17 hits, including eight off Verlander (1-1).

"This is a good win because we battled back after a tough start," Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said. "We beat the ball around against a pretty good pitcher. It was good that our offense was able to take the pressure off the pitching staff today. They needed that."

The start was a far cry from Verlander's 2006 performances against the Twins in which he beat them three times in four outings while posting a 2.25 ERA.

Carlos Silva (2-1) picked up the win, allowing three runs, 10 hits and one walk while striking out four in six innings. Pat Neshek, Dennys Reyes and Glen Perkins each worked an inning of scoreless relief.

"It was an ugly day. We didn't play like a professional team," Tigers manager Jim Leyland said. "If you play like we did today, you will get your (butt) beat. As manager, I take full responsibility for the loss."

After knocking Verlander out of the game, the Twins extended their lead to 8-3 during an eventful fifth.

Michael Cuddyer and Morneau singled off reliever Wilfredo Ledezma to open the inning. Cuddyer stole third with Hunter batting.

Hunter grounded back to Ledezma, who trapped Cuddyer between third and home. However, plate umpire Paul Nauert called Ledezma for obstruction on Cuddyer, who was awarded home plate.

Morneau went to third and Hunter reached second base on the play, which was scored as fielder's choice and error on Ledezma.

"I was surprised at the call," Tigers catcher Mike Rabelo said. "I never saw (Ledezma) touch or block the runner in any way."

Morneau and Hunter scored moments later as Kubel singled to center. Ledezma apparently made a comment to Nauert, drawing an ejection, and Leyland also was thrown out of the game after coming out of the dugout to argue.

"I don't comment on situations like that," Leyland said. "I never talk about an umpire's call. You don't disrespect umpires."

The Twins, who had two singles off Verlander in the first inning, continued to hit the righthander during a four-run second.

Morneau opened with a double and Hunter singled, stretching his hitting streak to a career-high 14 games.

Kubel singled to plate Morneau and Luis Rodriguez reached on an error by first baseman Sean Casey that allowed Hunter to score. After Jason Bartlett fouled out, Tyner put down a squeeze bunt, plating Kubel, and Punto singled home Rodriguez.

The Twins made it 5-2 in the top of the third on Morneau's sixth home run.

Verlander left after three innings, allowing five runs - three earned - and eight hits with one walk.

"I didn't have my stuff today," Verlander said. "I barely got out of the first, hope to find it in the second, but just couldn't find it. I started going too fast. My mind was racing and I was just throwing. When I do that, I get into trouble."

Detroit's Carlos Guillen doubled home a run in the third. He is 15-for-27 against Silva with three homers and 11 RBI.

A sacrifice fly by Cuddyer and an RBI single by Hunter in the eighth gave the Twins a 10-3 lead. Mauer homered off Fernando Rodney in the ninth to cap the scoring.

"The way we've been struggling, it's great to come out and win two against the Tigers," Hunter said. "You can't ever say a slump is over. Baseball is a crazy game, but today we looked pretty good."