Twins 6, Tigers 2
DETROIT -- Joe Mauer tripled with the bases loaded to highlight a five-run third inning Wednesday night that carried the Minnesota Twins to a 6-2 victory over the Detroit Tigers and their 10th win in 13 games.
Minnesota, which scored just one unearned run in its first three games of the season in Comerica Park, could tie the Tigers for second place in the American League Central with a victory in Thursday's series finale.
Right-hander Ricky Nolasco took advantage of a big early lead, getting anxious Detroit hitters to chase his curveball. Nolasco (3-1) won his third consecutive game by lasting 5 1/3 innings and allowing two unearned runs on four hits with three walks and seven strikeouts.
Left-hander Aaron Thompson (two-thirds of an inning), right-hander Michael Tonkin (one inning), lefty Brian Duensing (one-third), right-hander Blaine Boyer (two-thirds) and southpaw Glen Perkins (one inning) finished up.
Minnesota second baseman Brian Dozier collected three hits, and catcher Kurt Suzuki and center fielder Aaron Hicks each added two hits.
Right fielder J.D. Martinez, third baseman Nick Castellanos and shortstop Jose Iglesias had two hits apiece for Detroit.
Tigers lefty Kyle Lobstein (3-3) was chased as the Twins jumped on top 6-0 in the third inning. He kept falling behind hitters in the third and had to come in with strikes that were in the fat part of the strike zone.
Hicks led off the third with a single up the middle, and shortstop Danny Santana lined a single to right. Right fielder Torii Hunter walked, and Mauer hit a three-run triple to deep right.
Third baseman Trevor Plouffe tripled home Mauer to make it 5-0, and Suzuki doubled home Plouffe, ending Lobstein's outing. Lobstein allowed six runs on seven hits and a walk in 2 1/3 innings.
In the first, Hunter opened the scoring with his sixth home run, a solo shot.
The Tigers knocked out Nolasco in the sixth. Second baseman Ian Kinsler singled, first baseman Miguel Cabrera walked, and pinch hitter Rajai Davis reached when Dozier bobbled his grounder for an error.
Thompson relieved and gave up a sacrifice fly to left fielder Yoenis Cespedes and an RBI single to left by Castellanos before retiring the side.
NOTES: C Alex Avila was assigned a treatment program that will allow him to avoid surgery on his bad left knee and return to action at an undetermined point this season, the Tigers announced. Dr. Kyle Anderson observed an enhanced MRI on Avila's knee and worked out the program. ... The Twins improved to 12-4 against left-handed starters. ... Detroit put in some time before batting practice going over bunt defense and working on pickoffs. After Thursday's game, the Tigers go to St. Louis, where pitchers will bat because the designated hitter is not used. ... Twins broadcaster Bert Blyleven, who took some heat for critical comments about Detroit during Minnesota's last visit, did not accompany the team for the current series.