The Minnesota Twins got a serviceable starting pitching performance Wednesday, but it wasn't nearly good enough to hang with Justin Verlander, who pitched a complete game en route to a 5-1 Detroit Tigers victory.
After giving up two runs in the first inning, Twins starter Brian Duensing, 1-5, settled down and worked his way into the fifth inning. That's more than can be said for Minnesota's starters on Monday (Liam Hendriks) or Tuesday (Nick Blackburn), each of whom was knocked out after 4.0 innings.
The Twins offense was able to rescue Hendriks and Blackburn, but there was no such rescue in the cards for Duensing, who had the misfortune of going up against Verlander. Verlander was in top form Wednesday, scattering four hits and striking out seven. It was the ninth time this season that Verlander has pitched at least 8.0 innings.
The series finale is Thursday afternoon in Detroit.
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