Twins Turn Up Heat on Tigers

Detroit 0, Minnesota 3 (box)

Magic Number 13

Things just got interesting.  The Twins pitching staff held the Tigers to just five hits in beating the division leaders for the eighth time in 12 tries this season.  Detroit has now lost 8 of its last 11 games.

Micheal Cuddyer homered and Jason Kubel scored twice, all against Rick Porcello, who fell to 13-9 after allowing all three Twins’ runs over his six frames.  Brian Duensing improved to 4-1 with his 6.2 shutout innings.

The Tigers got two hits apiece from Marcus Thames and Curtis Granderson, and an infield hit from Brandon Inge.  That’s it.

Carl Pavano gets the ball for Minnesota as the Twins look to get within two games this afternoon.  Pavano is 4-0 with a 1.48 ERA in four starts against Detroit this season.  Justin Verlander will make his third attempt at win no. 17, as he opposes Pavano today.

It is not yet time to hit the panic button, but it may be time to start to see if you can dig one up.  Another loss today would put a whole lot of pressure on the Tigers and Nate Robertson on Sunday.