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Tigers return to Detroit to battle rival Twins

May 16, 2012 - 2:59 PM (Sports Network) - The Detroit Tigers are back home after a lengthy road trip and will face the AL Central-rival Minnesota Twins for the first time this season in the opener of a quick two-game series at Comerica Park.

The Tigers, who will also welcome the Pittsburgh Pirates to town, went 4-5 on a nine-game trek and split a two-game set with the Chicago White Sox. They posted a 10-8 win on Tuesday thanks to an eight-run sixth inning highlighted by three home runs from Miguel Cabrera, Ryan Raburn and Austin Jackson. Cabrera hit a two-run homer, while Raburn and Jackson connected on three-run shots.

Raburn ended with four RBI and Prince Fielder went 3-for-4 at the plate with a run scored.

"The guys played hard. They could have quit down six runs," said Detroit manager Jim Leyland. "I told the guys after the game this is why we're a good team and you've got to believe it."

Detroit starter Max Scherzer did not factor in the outcome and was pounded for six runs -- five earned -- and eight hits in four innings. Collin Balester took the win in relief and Octavio Dotel later tallied his first save.

Rick Porcello will handle pitching duties Wednesday and he hopes to get back into the win column. Porcello had won back-to-back starts until he took the hill in Oakland on Friday, when he was reached for four runs and nine hits in five innings of an 11-4 setback. He fell to 3-3 on the season in seven starts and raised his earned run average to 5.18.

Porcello is 2-2 in five home starts and will make his 13th career start against the rival Twins. The righty is 6-4 with a 2.86 ERA over the first 12 starts in this series.

Minnesota has the worst record in the major leagues at 10-26 and will begin an eight-game road trip this evening against the Tigers, Brewers and White Sox.

The Twins just went 3-6 on a nine-game homestand and have lost 11 of their last 15 games, including Tuesday's 5-0 loss to the Cleveland Indians in the finale of a quick two-game series.

Jason Marquis was dealt the loss for giving up all five runs and nine hits, including three home runs, over five innings. His counterpart, Indians veteran starter Derek Lowe, tossed a six-hit shutout.

"He had a good [sinker] today," Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said of Lowe.

Brian Dozier had three of Minnesota's six hits. The Twins were shutout for the fourth time in 2012.

Nick Blackburn gets the nod tonight for the Twins and he was able to get back into the win column in Friday's 7-6 victory versus Toronto. Blackburn didn't have a great outing, but it was good enough for a win. He allowed five runs and six hits in five innings to improve to 1-4 in six starts with a 7.18 ERA.

The right-hander, who is 0-2 on the road this season, owns a 4-6 mark to go along with a 5.33 ERA in 13 career games (11 starts) against Detroit.

Detroit went 14-4 against Minnesota last season with a 7-2 record at home.