Twins 7, Tigers 6
Chris Herrmann recorded three hits and knocked in two runs - including the go-ahead RBI double with two outs in the eighth inning - as visiting Minnesota claimed two of three in the series.
Ryan Doumit belted a three-run homer and a single while Brian Dozier added two hits and an RBI for the Twins, who squandered a 6-2 lead before Herrmann’s double off Drew Smyly. Casey Fien (3-2) pitched a scoreless seventh to pick up the victory and Glen Perkins earned his 30th save when Victor Martinez grounded into a game-ending double play with two on in the ninth.
Austin Jackson belted a three-run homer while Bryan Holaday went 2-for-2 with his first major-league homer for the Tigers, who still lead second-place Cleveland by five games in the American League Central. Bruce Rondon (1-2) took the loss after walking Doug Bernier with one out in the eighth.
Holaday homered to left and a two-out RBI single down the right-field line by Prince Fielder gave the Tigers a 2-1 lead in the third inning. Doumit hammered a 1-1 pitch from Detroit starter Justin Verlander into the right-field seats with two outs for a 5-2 lead in the fifth and Dozier’s RBI double in the sixth extended the Twins’ advantage.
Detroit had no one on and two outs in the sixth before Omar Infante reached on an infield single and Jose Iglesias doubled. Holaday knocked in one with an infield single and Jackson followed with his three-run blast to left off reliever Josh Roenicke to tie the game at 6-6.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Verlander allowed six runs and 10 hits over seven innings, remaining unbeaten (9-0) against the Twins in his last 11 outings. The right-hander threw 121 pitches, three less than his previous start. … Minnesota’s Andrew Albers was charged with five runs and nine hits over the first 5 2/3 innings in his fourth major-league start. … The Tigers begin a three-game set at the New York Mets and Minnesota opens a three-game series at Cleveland on Friday.