Recap: Minnesota vs. Detroit
Sports Network | September 06, 2008
Minneapolis, MN (Sports Network) - Curtis Granderson and Magglio Ordonez hit two-run homers in the eighth inning, as Detroit rallied from a three-run deficit to top Minnesota, 6-4, in the middle contest of a three-game set from the Metrodome. Miguel Cabrera also drove in two runs for the Tigers, who had dropped four of five coming in, including a 10-2 drubbing on Friday. Clay Rapada (3-0) picked up the win in relief, after allowing one hit over 1 1/3 innings. Fernando Rodney worked around trouble in the ninth to earn his ninth save. Starter Justin Verlander gave up eight hits and four runs over 5 2/3 frames while striking out four and walking four. Carlos Gomez had two RBI and Jason Kubel knocked in the other run for the Twins, who have lost four of their last five and dropped to 2 games behind first-place Chicago in the AL Central. The White Sox host the Angels later Saturday. Matt Guerrier (6-7) suffered the loss after allowing the game-deciding home run. Starter Scott Baker let up just four hits and three runs in 7 1/3 innings, striking out five but walking four. In the eighth, Baker fanned Brandon Inge but walked Ramon Santiago. Dennys Reyes was called on but allowed Granderson's two-run homer to right, which knotted the game. Guerrier entered and allowed a single to Placido Polanco and the go-ahead two-run blast to Ordonez, which put Detroit up 6-4. Cabrera drew a walk, but Jesse Crain retired the next two batters to limit the damage. Rodney loaded the bases in the bottom of the ninth by walking Nick Punto, then allowing a single to Denard Span and a bunt base hit from Alexi Casilla. However, he squashed the rally by fanning Joe Mauer and getting a game-ending line out from Justin Morneau. The Twins got on the board in the first, loading the bases on consecutive singles from Span, Casilla and Mauer before Morneau's double-play grounder scored Span. Kubel's RBI double in the third made it 2-0, but a sacrifice fly from Cabrera pulled the Tigers within one in the fourth. Minnesota took a 4-1 lead in the sixth. After loading the bases with a pair of walks and a single, Punto popped out. Gomez laced a double to the wall in left to plate a pair, but Brian Buscher was thrown out trying to score. Ordonez began the seventh with a triple and scored on Cabrera's single for a 4-2 contest. Game Notes Despite the setback, Minnesota has won 11 of the 17 meetings in 2008...Ordonez slugged his 17th homer of the season while Granderson left the park for the 18th time this year. Game Notes Despite the setback, Minnesota has won 11 of the 17 meetings in 2008...Ordonez slugged his 17th homer of the season while Granderson left the park for the 18th time this year.
