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Kubel's slam helps Twins down Tigers

May 25, 2008 - 9:39 PM DETROIT (Ticker) -- Jason Kubel celebrated his birthday in style, blasting a tie-breaking grand slam in the eighth inning Sunday to lead the Minnesota Twins to a 6-1 victory over the Detroit Tigers.

Kubel's blast broke up what had been a pitchers' duel between Glen Perkins and Justin Verlander.

With the game tied at 1-1, Kubel belted a 3-1 fastball from Francisco Cruceta (0-2) over the right field wall for his fourth career grand slam.

"I watched the other at-bats (against Cruceta) and saw he was throwing a lot of splitters. Just told myself to lay off of them," said Kubel, who turned 26 Sunday. "(I) laid off into a good count and got the fastball I wanted. It was a good birthday present for me, usually it's no hits for me on that day."

"He (Cruceta) just didn't throw strikes. He got behind and he paid the price," Tigers manager Jim Leyland said.

Alexi Casilla added an RBI single in the ninth for the Twins, who bounced back from Saturday's 19-3 drubbing.

"It was sure of a comeback from yesterday," Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said. "We came out as a fresh team, got the hits we needed and pitched very well."

"They were primed for a letdown after last night," Perkins said. Kubel's timely hit helped Perkins (2-1) get credit for a solid start. Matt Guerrier relieved Perkins and got the final out of the eighth.

Perkins, who allowed just one run and seven hits, left after allowing a single to Gary Sheffield and a ground-rule double to Magglio Ordonez. Perkins struck out four and walked two.

"I know I needed to get in (throw inside) and get on 'em early," Perkins said. "I was hitting spots, I was getting in on guys. I wanted to get innings and save the bullpen. To go 7 2/3 innings against a team like this was pretty good."

Guerrier struck out Cabrera to end the threat, and the Twins got to Cruceta in the eighth. Carlos Gomez led off the frame with a single to center, and Casilla sacrificed him to third.

Joe Mauer drew an intentional walk and Justin Morneau also walked. Michael Cuddyer struck out, but Kubel made sure the Twins did not waste the golden opportunity.

One day after scoring a season-high 19 runs, the Tigers were tamed by Perkins. Carlos Guillen homered to account for the only run for Detroit, which had won four of its previous five games.

"He spotted the ball in well," Brandon Inge said of Perkins. "He was getting us conscious of looking on the inside part of the plate and then going away with the breaking stuff. There's not much you can do when he's spotting like that."

Minnesota broke out on top in the first as Cuddyer drew a leadoff walk and later scored on a double play ball by Delmon Young.

Detroit tied the game in the second as Guillen belted a 1-1 fastball from Perkins to left field for a two-out solo shot - his fifth of the season.

Verlander, who has yet to win consecutive starts this season, allowed one run and five hits with three strikeouts and four walks in seven innings.

"Verlander was great," Leyland said. "That's the Verlander I know. I thought he threw the ball extremely well, very aggressive. Very, very positive day for Justin."

"I felt like my mechanics finally came together, (pitching coach) Chuck (Hernandez) and I have been working hard to get there," Verlander said. "My velocity jumped back up and I felt pretty sharp. A little inconsistent, but I had to rein it in to throw quality strikes with it."