Twins 7, Tigers 1
DETROIT -- Brian Dozier's two-run double in the middle of a six-run second inning Sunday sparked Minnesota to a 7-1 victory over the Detroit Tigers that kept the Twins in the thick of the fight for the second American League wild-card playoff spot.
The Twins entered the day 1 1/2 games behind the Houston Astros in the wild-card standings.
Minnesota tattooed veteran left-hander Randy Wolf (0-5) for six runs (two unearned) and six hits before he could complete the second inning. Left-hander Kyle Ryan shut out the Twins for 4 1/3 innings to possibly line up to start later in the week.
Right-hander Ervin Santana (7-4) shut out Detroit on four hits until doubles by left fielder Tyler Collins and shortstop Josh Wilson gave the Tigers a run in the seventh.
Santana finished the seventh and wound up walking two while striking out five. Right-hander Michael Tonkin worked the eighth and ninth for the Twins.
Third baseman Eduardo Nunez singled to begin the Minnesota second inning and was safe at second when Detroit shortstop Josh Wilson muffed a ground ball for an error.
Catcher Kurt Suzuki blooped an RBI single into short left and rookie center fielder Byron Buxton lined an RBI double to right center before Dozier drove in two runs with a double into the left field corner.
Left fielder Aaron Hicks lined an RBI single to left and veteran right fielder Torii Hunter completed the six-run inning with a run-scoring single to left.
Buxton got his first major league home run, a liner to left off right-hander Jose Valdez in the eighth.
NOTES: 3B Trevor Plouffe was not in Minnesota's starting lineup Sunday because of illness that is making its rounds on the team. ... Manager Brad Ausmus put C Alex Avila in Detroit's starting lineup Sunday because it might be the impending free agent's last home game for the Tigers. ... Manager Paul Molitor kept impressive rookie LF Eddie Rosario out of the Twins' lineup because he didn't want the left-handed hitter facing Tigers veteran LHP Brad Wolf. ... The Tigers will take SS Jose Iglesias on their last road trip because he might be able to pinch run.