Final/11
Tigers take on Twins hoping to inch closer to division title
Sep 23, 2013 - 2:51 PM (Sports Network) - Justin Verlander tries to get the Detroit Tigers one step closer to an American League Central title on Monday, as they begin a three- game series against the lowly Minnesota Twins at Target Field.Detroit was denied a chance to secure a division title in front of its fans, as it dropped a 6-3 decision to the Chicago White Sox on Sunday. Still, even if the Tigers had won it wouldn't have mattered, as Cleveland beat Houston on Sunday.
Although Cleveland is off, the Tigers can clinch at least a wild card spot and a division tie if they beat the Twins.
"Everybody wanted to clinch at home," said Brayan Pena. "But it doesn't matter how we do it. We just want to do it, because if we do it, everybody knows that we're coming back here. And those fans, they really deserve that."
Detroit was without slugger Miguel Cabrera on Sunday, as the AL's reigning MVP sat with a sore groin. However, he said he hopes to play Monday.
Verlander, meanwhile, is 1-4 with a 4.12 ERA over his last eight outings, and the Tigers have lost six of his last seven starts. The former Cy Young Award winner has been inconsistent all season and is 13-12 with a 3.66 ERA, his highest since 2008.
"I think the stuff has been getting better just about every time out," Verlander said. "How I'm going to be in the postseason, we'll see. You never want to say anything is clinched or anything until it is."
Minnesota returns home after a miserable 1-6 road trip.
"We have not played well," Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said. "We've been sloppy here (in Oakland). It's been demoralizing sitting in the dugout and watching us keep getting pounded like that."
Gardenhire is three wins away from becoming the eighth active manager to reach 1,000 wins and the 60th all-time.
Hoping to get Gardenhire closer to that milestone on Monday will be righty Mike Pelfrey, who has lost his last three starts and has pitched to a 10.13 ERA over that span. He is 5-13 on the year with a 5.34 ERA.
In four starts versus Detroit this year Pelfrey is 2-2 with a 4.70 ERA.
Detroit is 9-7 against the Twins this season.
- DETROIT: 3
MINNESOTA: 4
Final/11
Sep 24 12:13 AM - Josmil Pinto singled to right scored Brian Dozier with one out to end the game.
Tigers 3, Twins 4 Bot 11, 1 OutSep 24 12:10 AM - Brian Dozier lead-off Home Run (18) to left center. Josh Willingham due up.
Tigers 3, Twins 3 Bot 9, 0 OutsSep 23 11:27 PM - Pinch-Hitter Ryan Doumit doubled to right scored Eduardo Escobar. Runner on second with one out and Alex Presley due up.
Tigers 3, Twins 2 Bot 8, 1 OutSep 23 11:08 PM - Eduardo Escobar doubled to center scored Clete Thomas. Runner on second with one out and Pedro Florimon due up.
Tigers 3, Twins 1 Bot 8, 1 OutSep 23 11:07 PM - Victor Martinez doubled to right scored Miguel Cabrera. On the play, Prince Fielder advances to third. Runners on second and third with one out and Andy Dirks due up.
Tigers 3, Twins 0 Top 7, 1 OutSep 23 10:33 PM - Miguel Cabrera singled to center scored Torii Hunter. Runner on first with one out and Prince Fielder due up.
Tigers 2, Twins 0 Top 7, 1 OutSep 23 10:25 PM - Torii Hunter ground-rule double to left center scored Ramon Santiago. On the play, Austin Jackson advances to third. Runners on second and third with one out and Miguel Cabrera due up.
Tigers 1, Twins 0 Top 5, 1 OutSep 23 9:38 PM - DETROIT: 0
MINNESOTA: 0
Top 1, 0 Outs
Sep 23 8:11 PM
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