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The White Sox lost today, but earlier this afternoon the Twins came out on top in SpoilerTour2K12. While Minnesota threatened in the first, though, it was the Tigers who drew first blood. Miguel Cabrera and Delmon Young each drove in a run, giving Detroit a 2-0 lead heading into the fifth.
That lead lasted until the top of the sixth. Six consecutive Twins reached base to kick off the frame, and while Eduardo Escobar struck out as batter number seven it still resulted in a run as Phil Coke's pitch bounced away. Max Scherzer's final line was just three runs off six hits and a walk, but the top of the sixth was like pinball.
Scott Diamond, meanwhile, seemed to be closer to the version of himself we'd seen for more of the season. He scattered just four hits over seven innings, and even struck out five. That fourth inning was the only time he seemed to see any trouble at all.
Joe Mauer was the star on the offensive side of the ball. After Ben Revere doubled to lead off the sixth, Mauer's single scored him. In the top of the seventh, Revere walked and stole third base before Mauer's sac fly brought him in. And then in the eighth Mauer's two-run triple topped off a four-run outburt that gave us our final score.
The resulting loss means the Tigers stay one half game behind Chicago for the AL Central lead. They can still manage a tie with a win in the game that's just around the corner, but no doubt the Twins would love nothing more than to sweep the double-header.
Studs
Scott Diamond
Joe Mauer
Ben Revere
Duds
NOBODY!