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Fister, Tigers blank Twins

Sep 23, 2012 - 4:00 AM Detroit, MI (Sports Network) - Doug Fister tossed his first career shutout as the Detroit Tigers pounded the Minnesota Twins, 8-0, in the opener game of a three-game set.

Fister (10-9) scattered seven hits without a walk while striking out seven to pick up his fifth career complete game and second this season.

"It's an honor for me to be able to go out there and complete a game like that," said Fister. "The skipper let me do that and it was something special."

The win moves the Tigers a half-game behind the White Sox for first place in the AL Central as Chicago dropped a game to the Angels on Saturday.

Delmon Young hit a three-run home run while Austin Jackson and Miguel Cabrera each added a solo shot for the Tigers, who have won three of four.

Samuel Deduno (6-5) gave up seven runs on seven hits in just 2 1/3 innings for the Twins, who have dropped two straight and five of seven. Joe Mauer had two hits in the loss.

"That was a tough day because Fister was unbelievable," said Minnesota manager Ron Gardenhire. "You could see it out there, our guys couldn't get anything to hit. His pitches were really moving and he kept the guys guessing all night."

This series was set to start on Friday, but heavy rain in the area forced a postponement and the teams will play a day-night doubleheader on Sunday.

Jackson led off the game with his 15th home run of the year and Alex Avila singled home Andy Dirks, who led off the second with a double, for a 2-0 lead.

The Tigers exploded in the third. Quintin Berry singled to start and later stole second. After a walk to Cabrera, Prince Fielder scored one with a single. Young followed with his 18th homer of the year. Dirks then tripled and quickly came home on a wild pitch by Deduno for a 7-0 lead.

Cabrera's blast in the fourth made it an 8-0 contest. He is in line for the triple crown. Cabrera's 42 homers is tied with Josh Hamilton for the most in the majors. Also, Cabrera leads the American League with a .332 batting average and in RBI with 131.

The Twins didn't get a runner past second base in the entire game.

Game Notes

The Tigers have won eight of the 13 games against the Twins this season ... Fister moved to 3-6 in nine starts against the Twins ... Minnesota went 0- for-6 with runners in scoring position and left six on base.