The top of the Tigers order came up to start the eighth inning with a 2-0 lead and provided some fire power and distance between themselves and the Twins.
Austin Jackson singled and stole second base, Quintin Berry walked, and then Miguel Cabrera brought them both home with a three-run home run that pulls him even with Josh Hamilton for the American League lead.
Cabrera is looking to become the first big leaguer to win a triple crown since 1967. He leads the A.L. in average, RBIs and is now tied in home runs.
It was Cabrera’s first hit of the day, as he came into the at-bat 0-3.
Andy Dirks added a home run of his own in the inning, blasting one over the tall right field wall in Minnesota.
The Tigers put up two runs in the second inning, but had been unable to provide more insurance for Justin Verlander, who has been dominating on the mound.
Verlander has pitched seven innings. He’s struck out eight, given up four hits and walked two on 111 pitches.
The Chicago White Sox, who trail the Tigers by just one game with five remaining in the race for the American League Central Division, are trailing 7-0 to the Tampa Rays in the seventh inning in Chicago.
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