Tigers 4, Twins 0
Rick Porcello pitched three-hit ball over seven innings as visiting Detroit beat Minnesota in the opener of a three-game series.
Prince Fielder’s two-run double snapped a scoreless tie in the sixth inning. Victor Martinez and Jhonny Peralta followed with back-to-doubles in a four-run outburst that helped Detroit win for the eighth time in 12 games.
Porcello (4-3) struck out five and walked none while winning his second straight start. Three relievers finished up with Jose Valverde working the ninth in a non-save situation.
Minnesota starter Scott Diamond (4-6) allowed just two hits over the first five innings before running into trouble in the sixth. He intentionally walked Miguel Cabrera with first base open and Fielder foiled the strategy with a double to right that scored Austin Jackson and Cabrera.
Martinez followed with a double to left-center field to make it 3-0 and Peralta smacked a double to left to end Diamond’s outing.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Diamond allowed four runs and five hits in 5 2/3 innings while dropping to 1-5 in six home starts this season. … Jackson was hitless in three at-bats in his first action since May 11 due to a hamstring injury. OF Avisail Garcia was optioned to Triple-A Toledo to open up a roster spot. … Minnesota 3B Trevor Plouffe (calf) was activated from the disabled list after Friday's game and C/OF Chris Herrman was sent down to Triple-A Rochester.