Tigers 7, Twins 1
Torii Hunter delivered a go-ahead two-run double to ignite a four-run seventh as host Detroit evened the series at a game apiece.
Anibal Sanchez pitched 6 2/3 innings of one-run ball, wiggling out of trouble in each of the first four innings and striking out eight. Drew Smyly (5-0) struck out two in a scoreless inning before Jose Veras earned his first save with the Tigers as Detroit maintained its 5 1/2-game lead over Cleveland atop the American League Central.
Miguel Cabrera had a three-run double and Victor Martinez had two hits and an RBI double for the Tigers, who were shut out for 6 2/3 innings by Kevin Correia (8-10). Correia was charged with four runs - two earned - on nine hits in 6 2/3 innings and Brian Dozier had an RBI single for Minnesota.
Detroit finally broke through against Correia when Hunter followed back-to-back two-out singles by Bryan Holaday and Austin Jackson (three hits) with a double up the gap in right-center to plate both runners. After Cabrera drew an intentional walk, reliever Caleb Thielbar appeared to get out of the inning when he struck out Prince Fielder, but a passed ball allowed him to reach first and Hunter to score.
Martinez followed with a double to left to plate Cabrera for a 4-1 edge, and Cabrera cleared the bases in the eighth inning to boost his major league-leading RBI total to 123.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Sanchez is 4-0 over his last six starts and has surrendered only seven runs in that span. ... The Twins recalled 1B/OF Chris Colabello from Triple-A Rochester to take the roster spot of C Joe Mauer, who was placed on the 7-day concussion list Tuesday. ... Tigers C Brayan Pena was not in the lineup after fouling a ball off the big toe on his right foot, leaving Holaday as the only healthy catcher on the roster.