This embed is invalid
The Twins dealt a blow to Detroit’s American League Central Division title hopes, beating the Tigers 11-4 Friday night. The loss leaves the Tigers’ magic number at two games.
A four-run sixth inning by the Twins ended any hopes the Tigers had of getting back into the game.
Twins starter Anthony Swarzak was on his game early. He held the explosive Tiger lineup scoreless for the first three innings, while the Twins jumped all over Rick Porcello early.
The Twins took the lead on a three-run home run from Oswaldo Arcia in the first inning, and they never really slowed down. Brian Dozier added a solo shot in the third to push the Twins’ lead to 4-0 in the third.
Finally in the bottom of the fourth, trailing 6-0 the Tigers got something started off Swarzak.
Detroit chased Swarzak in the fifth after scoring two runs off the Twins’ spot starter. But A.J. Achter (1-0) came on and got Minnesota out of trouble. He gave up one run in two innings of relief to pick up his first big league victory.
The Twins ended any hopes of a Tigers comeback with the four-run sixth inning. Five Minnesota hits highlighted by an RBI double from Eduardo Escobar and a two-run single from Kurt Suzuki.
Since July 24 the #MNTwins have scored 285 runs – the MOST in baseball (60 games). Detroit ranks 2nd with 282 (62 games).
— Dustin Morse (@morsecode) September 27, 2014
Dozier was 3-for-5 and scored three runs on the night, Arcia was 2-for4 with three RBIs. Danny Santana was 3-for-6 with a double and a pair of runs scored and Aaron Hicks also was 2-for-4 and scored a pair of runs.
The series continues on Saturday. Ricky Nolasco (5-12) starts for the Twins against Detroit’s Kyle Lobstein (1-1).
