Despite picking up five innings of shutout ball from starter Max Scherzer, the Detroit Tigers were unable to take the first game of their doubleheader with the Minnesota Twins on Sunday in a 10-4 loss.
Scherzer came to the mound to begin the sixth inning with a two-run advantage, but was immediately beaten on a pair of RBI singles from Twins sluggers Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau. Mauer, who finished 3-for-4 from the plate with four runs batted in, moved his season average up to a robust .326 with the strong performance.
Set to once again hit the field for the nightcap, the Twins will try to further disrupt Detroit's playoff chances with right-hander P.J. Walters in the final game of the series. Manager Jim Leyland will counter with promising lefty Drew Smyly in Game 3, as the Tigers should be desperate to stay on track with the Chicago White Sox in the American League Central race.
Head over to Bless You Boys for more Tigers coverage, and be sure to visit Twinkie Town for more on the Twins.