Gibson, Twins Blank Tigers, 2-0

Kyle Gibson pitched seven strong innings, and Ed Escobar, my friend Brad's guy, provided all the offense as Minnesota shut out division-leading Detroit 2-0.  It's the third win in a row for the Twins, who are now just one game under .500 and a mere three games behind the stumbling Tigers.

Gibson threw a career-high 110 pitches, walking two and striking out three while scattering five hits.  The high point of his evening: inducing a Miggy Cabrera double play with the bases loaded and one out in the fifth.  The win pushes Gibson's record to 6-5.

Meanwhile, the Twins were unable to do too much damage to Tigers starter Drew Smyly, but the one blow, an Escobar solo dong in the third, sufficed.  He threw in a bases-loaded walk off former Twins closer Joe Nathan in the top of the ninth for insurance.

Casey Fien pitched a 1-2-3 8th, and Glen Perkins pitched around a 2-out double in the ninth to chalk up his 17th save.

GO TWINS GO.

ROBOT ROLL CALL

CHARTS & GRAPHS

Source: FanGraphs

Enjoy your weekend, everybody.