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Boesch powers Tigers over Twins

Jun 1, 2011 - 4:18 AM Detroit, MI (Sports Network) - Brennan Boesch's eighth-inning sacrifice fly scored the eventual game-winning run as the Detroit Tigers used small ball to gain an 8-7 triumph over the Minnesota Twins.

Danny Worth led off the eighth with a single and moved to second on Austin Jackson's sacrifice bunt. Casper Wells then laid a bunt down the third base line to put runners on second and third with one out to set the table for Boesch.

Boesch finished with two RBI and scored twice in the win, the Tigers' third straight.

"It felt good," Boesch said. "I was trying to just get a good pitch to hit, be patient and get the job done. I was able to drive in the winning run and it feels pretty good."

Al Alburquerque (3-1) was credited with his second win in as many days, pitching a perfect eighth.

Phil Dumatrait (0-1) gave up the run in the eighth and Justin Morneau had his first multi-home run game of the season for the Twins, who have dropped three straight. Morneau finished with three RBI.

"We're battling our tails off and the guys are still in the game," Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said. "We have to continue to do that and find a way to win these ball games. But unfortunately for us it's another loss.

In a back-and-forth game, the lead was traded three times and the Twins tried to make it four in their final at-bat.

Joaquin Benoit came in to preserve the lead and put runners on first and second with one down. But he got the red-hot Morneau to go down swinging and Michael Cuddyer to ground out for his second save of the season.

Detroit put up six runs in the fifth to grab a 6-3 lead, but the Twins clawed their way back on top the next two innings.

Jim Thome's sacrifice fly plated Morneau in the sixth before Morneau came up big in the next inning.

Rene Rivera scampered home on Detroit starter Max Scherzer's wild pitch while Morneau was in the batter's box. The first baseman then worked a full count before Scherzer elevated a fastball, which Morneau turned on and sent it into the seats in right to give Minnesota a 7-6 edge.

The Tigers, however, tied the game the bottom half by getting the first two batters on. Victor Martinez then flied to center advance Boesch, who scored on Peralta's sac fly.

Detroit's big fifth inning started with back-to-back base hits from Brandon Inge and Ryan Raburn. Jackson poked a one-out single near the right field line to bring home Inge, and Wells then belted a one-hop shot over the left field fence for a ground-rule RBI double.

Jackson and Wells scored when an errant throw by shortstop Matt Tolbert skipped into the Tigers' dugout.

The rally kept going when Miguel Cabrera was intentionally walked and Martinez doubled down the left line to score Boesch. Cabrera was caught at home on that play, but Jhonny Peralta's double plated Martinez for a 6-3 lead.

Danny Valencia had a two-out double during the top of the second and scored on Delmon Young's single to put the first run on the board.

Minnesota tacked on two runs in the third when Alexi Casilla's sac fly scored Tolbert, who led off the inning with a double, and Morneau clubbed a ball into the right field seats.

Game Notes

Usual Tigers closer Jose Valverde was given the day off and was not available for the save opportunity...Scherzer went 6 2/3 innings, allowing seven runs on nine hits with seven strikeouts...Twins starter Brian Duensing was roughed up for six runs on nine hits with five strikeouts in 4 2/3 innings...Detroit has beaten Minnesota eight straight times. The last time the Tigers recorded an eight-game winning streak against Minnesota was June 5-August 19, 1981.