Twins stave off elimination with 8-3 win over Tigers

DETROIT - The AL Central is still up for grabs.

Scott Baker got plenty of run support and pitched the MinnesotaTwins to a testy 8-3 victory over Detroit on Thursday, preventingthe Tigers from clinching their first division title in 22 years.

Minnesota avoided elimination from the playoff race and movedwithin two games of the first-place Tigers with three to play.

"We just didn't want to see them celebrating," Twins outfielderDenard Span said.

The teams split a four-game series - The Showdown in Motown. TheTigers had a chance to wrap up their first division crown since 1987in the finale, but their bats were quieted and their pitchers gotroughed up in a three-run third inning and a four-run eighth.

Detroit started the series with a two-game lead and ended it withthe same tenuous cushion.

"We controlled our own destiny today and we had a chance toclinch it out, but you have to give them credit," catcher GeraldLaird said. "We're still two games up with three to play, and we'rein the driver's seat. We just have to play good baseball like wehave at home, take it to the White Sox and we'll be celebrating."

The tightest race in baseball won't be decided until this weekend- or early next week if a tiebreaker is necessary.

Minnesota has clinched the season series and would host an extragame if needed, likely on Tuesday because the Vikings play an NFLgame Monday night at the Metrodome against the Green Bay Packers.

If Detroit beats the Ozzie Guillen-led Chicago White Sox twice athome, it would win the division. If not, the Tigers would need somehelp from the Kansas City Royals, who end the season at Minnesota.

Royals ace Zack Greinke is lined up to start on Saturday.

"We're going to the dome for the last weekend, and we've stillgot a shot," Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said. "We've got to beatthe Royals and, 'Come on, Ozzie!' I'm going to leave him a note."

Tempers flared in the eighth.

Detroit manager Jim Leyland was ejected during a face-to-faceargument with umpire Angel Hernandez in the top of the inning,following an inside pitch. Then, Tigers pitcher Jeremy Bonderman andLaird were tossed in the home half.

Both benches and bullpens emptied after Twins outfielder DelmonYoung was plunked in the leg by Bonderman, but the players containedtheir emotions enough to avoid any pushing or punching.

"It absolutely turned into a bit of a strange game toward theend," Leyland said.

Minnesota had plenty of punch at the plate in a game it needed towin to keep hopes alive for rallying in the AL Central as it did in2006, when the Twins surged and the Tigers slumped at the end of theseason. Detroit earned a spot three years ago as the AL wild cardand lost to St. Louis in the World Series.

The Twins went ahead 3-1 in the third on Joe Mauer's RBI single,Michael Cuddyer's run-scoring single and Jason Kubel's sacrificefly. They broke the game open in the eighth when Orlando Cabrera hita three-run double and Mauer followed with an RBI single to make it8-1.

Baker (15-9) gave up an unearned run and five hits over fiveinnings.

Jon Rauch, Ron Mahay and Matt Guerrier combined to pitch 2 2-3scoreless innings until Minnesota matched its season high with afourth error, allowing Detroit to score a pair of two-out runs thatmade it 8-3.

Nate Robertson (2-3) gave up four runs - three earned - and ninehits in six-plus innings. Rookie Ryan Perry and Fu-Te Ni each struckout a Twin in the seventh to get out of a bases-loaded jam, butCasey Fien and Bobby Seay each gave up two runs, putting the gameout of reach.

NOTES: The Tigers, who rank fourth in the AL in attendancedespite the Motor City's poor economy, drew 40,533 for their firstsellout since July 25. ... Cabrera extended his hitting streak to 12games with a single in the first.

AP-ES-10-01-09 1852EDT