Tigers completed a very successful series in Minnesota, taking 3 of 4.

This series may have been a litmus test to see if Detroit was going to be able to sustain some strong second half play, or whether they'd fade in the second half.  Detroit hasn't had a winning record after the All-Star Break since 2000.  That includes the 2006 World Series team that lost a 7 game lead in about the last month but still survived to claim the Wild Card.  Two years ago they blew a 3 game lead with 4 to play and lost a 1 game playoff at Minnesota.

So going to Minnesota, who is always a strong second half team, and beating them 3 of 4 looks good.  Detroit managed to stretch its AL Central lead to a season high 2 games.  Last season a terrible July took then out of contention by the time August arrived.

Friday night Detroit cruised 8-2, though Jose Valverde did have to come into a game ending double play with runners on the corners just to be sure a Twin rally was snuffed out after only 1 run. Jhonny Peralta was a triple short of the cycle.  He was 3-5 with 4 RBIs.  His home run was number 16 on the season.

Ryan Raburn was 2-4 with his 9th home run of the season.  Carlos Guillen had a 2-run single.  Victor Martinez drove in a run and Magglio Ordonez was 2-4.

Every Tiger starter had at least one hit.

Max Scherzer took advantage of all the run support, allowing 1 run on 4 hits in 7 innings pitched. He upped his record to 11-5 on the season.

 Saturday night, Minnesota finally snapped an 11 game losing streak to Detroit.  They won 4-1.  A Miguel Cabrera double was Detroit's only run.  Brad Penny took the loss to fall to 7-7 on the year.  He gave up 4 runs on 7 hits in 7 innings pitched.

Sunday, Detroit took advantage of wildness by Francisco Liriano and claimed a 5-2 win.  Rick Porecello joined Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer in the double figure win club.  He is now 10-6 on the season after allowing 2 runs on 5 hits in 6 innings pitched.

Detroit joins Texas as the only 2 AL teams with 3 double figure winners.  Jose Valverde made it 26 for 26 on saves on the year.

Wilson Betemit drove in his first Tiger run.  Jhonny Peralta and Ramon Santiago also added RBIs.  Detroit also scored twice on wild pitches by Liriano.