Justin Verlander and the Detroit Tigers defeated the Minnesota Twins today, 6-4, evening the series and setting up the Sunday rubber match. Verlander gave up four hits and one run through seven innings of work, improving his record to 17-8 on the year.
Tigers vs. Twins final score: Detroit wins 6-4, evens series with Twins
Justin Verlander was dominant at Target Field, pitching seven scoreless innings for the Tigers against the Twins.
Jesse Johnson-US PRESSWIRE - Presswire
With this win, Detroit is able to maintain their lead over the AL Central division, sitting two games on top of the Chicago White Sox.
The Tigers established a lead early, scoring two runs in a second inning highlighted by a solo Prince Fielder home run off of Minnesota's P.J. Walters. Detroit then extended their lead in the top of the eighth, with a three-run Miguel Cabrera home run contributing to a four-run inning.
Walters would earn the loss on the afternoon, falling to 2-5 on the year on 11 appearances.
Minnesota would rally in the bottom of the eighth to make a game of it, with a Ryan Doumit grand slam off of reliever Joaquin Benoit bringing the score to 6-4. Benoit would be relieved in favor of Al Alburquerque, who would end the inning and set up Detroit closer Jose Valverde for the save.
The rubber match will be tomorrow at 2:10 p.m. Eastern. Anibal Sanchez of Detroit is expected to face off against Minnesota's Liam Hendriks.
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