DETROIT — Justin Verlander kept the Detroit Tigers on top in the American League Central, pitching eight innings in a 6-5 victory over the Minnesota Twins on Tuesday night that salvaged a split of their doubleheader.
Detroit increased its division lead to two over Minnesota, which won the day game 3-2 in 10 innings, with two games left in the series and five to go in the regular season.
Verlander (18-9) gave up four runs and eight hits. Fernando Rodney pitched the ninth for his 36th save in 37 chances, overcoming shaky defense that allowed Minnesota to pull within a run.
Delmon Young started the Minnesota ninth with an infield single.Rodney retired the next two batters and Nick Punto followed with a fly ball to center that Curtis Granderson misjudged, allowing it to go over his head and helping the Twins pull within a run. Rodney then got Denard Span to hit a game-ending fly to left.
If the Tigers beat the Twins today and Thursday, they'll win their first division title since 1987. If Detroit doesn't win the two games, the AL Central won't be decided until the weekend - or early next week. Minnesota has clinched the season series and would host the tiebreaker if one is necessary.
Orlando Cabrera hit a go-ahead single in the 10th of the opener, leading Minnesota.
YANKEES 4, ROYALS 3
Little-used rookie Juan Miranda drove in the winning run on an infield single that caromed off the leg of former Yankee Kyle Farnsworth (1-5) and into foul territory between home plate and first base as host New York scored two runs in the ninth to beat Kansas City for its seventh consecutive victory. Yankees starter A.J. Burnett (North Little Rock,Central Arkansas Christian) allowed 2 runs - 1 1 earned - and 3 hits in 6 /3 innings. He struck out eight and walked three. Royals starter Anthony Lerew, who was called up from the Class AA Northwest Arkansas Naturals last week, gave up 5 hits, including home runs to Mark Teixeira and Nick Swisher, and 2 walks and struck out 3 in 6-plus innings.
BLUE JAYS 8, RED SOX 7
Designated hitter Adam Lind hit three home runs as Toronto handed host Boston its fifth consecutive loss. Lind hit a two-run home run in the first and also homered in the fifth and seventh for the first three-home run game of his career.
RAYS 3, ORIOLES 1
Rookie Wade Davis (2-1) allowed one run in seven innings as host Tampa Bay handed the Baltimore its 12th consecutive loss.
National League REDS 7, CARDINALS 2 Jay Bruce hit two home runs, including a three-run shot, and had a career-high five RBI as host Cincinnati won its seventh game in eight and handed St. Louis its fourth loss in five games. Joel Pineiro (15-12) allowed 7 runs and 8 hits in 6 innings to fall to1-3 in his past 4 starts. David Freese hit his first career home run for St. Louis in the ninth. Homer Bailey (7-5) improved to 5-1 in his past 8 starts and got his first career victory against St. Louis, allowing 1 run and 7 hits in 7 innings.
PHILLIES 7, ASTROS 4
Pedro Feliz hit his seventh career grand slam to make it 5-1 in the fourth and rookie J.A. Happ (12-4) allowed 4 runs and 9 hits in 5 2 /3 innings, striking out 6 as defending World Series champion Philadelphia reduced its magic number to one for clinching its third consecutive NL East title, beating visiting Houston. Happ is the first rookie to win 12 games for Philadelphia since Jim Owens in 1959.
CUBS 6, PIRATES 0
Ryan Dempster (11-8) pitched a five-hitter for his third career shutout as host Chicago beat Pittsburgh for its seventh victory in nine games. Dempster, who is 5-1 in his past 6 decisions, struck out 6 and walked 2.
MARLINS 5, BRAVES 4
Jorge Cantu hit a tiebreaking RBI single in the seventh as Florida ended Atlanta's seven-game winning streak.
NATIONALS 4, METS 3
Pinch runner Justin Maxwell scored the tiebreaking run in the eighth thanks to two wild throws as host Washington beat New York.
Tuesday's games NATIONAL LEAGUE Philadelphia 7, Houston 4 Washington 4, NY Mets 3 Florida 5, Atlanta 4 Cincinnati 7, St. Louis 2 Chicago Cubs 6, Pittsburgh 0 Colorado 7, Milwaukee 5, 11 innings LA Dodgers at San Diego, (n) Arizona at San Francisco, (n) AMERICAN LEAGUE Minnesota 3-5, Detroit 2-6
First game went 10 innings NY Yankees 4, Kansas City 3 Tampa Bay 3, Baltimore 1 Toronto 8, Boston 7 Chicago White Sox at Cleveland, ppd., rain Texas at LA Angels, (n) Oakland at Seattle, (n)
Sports, Pages 22 on 09/30/2009