Twins 7, Tigers 1
MINNEAPOLIS -- Kyle Gibson threw seven innings of one-run ball, leading the Minnesota Twins to a 7-1 win over the Detroit Tigers at Target Field on Sunday afternoon.
Buoyed by a pair of first-inning runs, Gibson was cruising from the get-go on Sunday, allowing just one unearned run in the second inning and four singles on the day. The victory was Gibson's eighth and lowered his season ERA to 2.85. The right-hander has allowed three runs or less in each of his last six starts and has won four consecutive outings.
Minnesota (49-40), which had dropped to 2-8 against the Tigers this season following a loss on Thursday, won the final three games of the series and moved 4 1/2 games ahead of Detroit for second place in the American League Central Division standings. The Twins' 49 wins at the All-Star break are the most since the club won 53 in 2008.
Twins designated hitter Miguel Sano gave Gibson all the support he would need four batters into the game, cranking a two-run shot over the left-field fence for his second home run.
Minnesota tacked on four runs in the fourth to take a five-run lead.
Left fielder Eddie Rosario's one-out triple set up center fielder Aaron Hicks, who knocked him in with an RBI single to right. Catcher Eric Fryer reached on an infield single ahead of shortstop Danny Santana, who tripled off the wall in right field. A sacrifice fly by second baseman Brian Dozier scored Santana to make it 6-1.
Third baseman Trevor Plouffe added a solo home run in the fifth. The homer was Plouffe's 11th of the year but first since June 26, a span of 16 games.
Rosario, Hicks and Santana each had a pair of hits for Minnesota, which is nine games over .500 for the first time since it was 33-24 on June 8. The win capped a 6-1 homestand. Minnesota's 31 home victories are the most in the American League.
Tigers second baseman Ian Kinsler was the lone bright spot offensively, getting three of Detroit's six hits. Kinsler was 8-for-17 in the series with three doubles, a home run and three runs scored.
NOTES: Tigers RHP Shane Greene was recalled from Triple-A Toledo following the game on Saturday in time to make a spot start on Sunday. Greene entered the day 4-6 with a 5.82 ERA. ... Tigers CF Anthony Gose was back in the lineup Sunday following a day off. ... Twins RHP Ervin Santana will get the start for Minnesota on Friday against the Oakland Athletics. He will be followed by RHP Phil Hughes, RHP Kyle Gibson, LHP Tommy Milone and RHP Mike Pelfrey. ... Detroit will host the Baltimore Orioles for three games after returning from the All-Star break. ... Minnesota will head to Oakland for three games against the Athletics.