Kinsler busts loose for Tigers, defeats Twins

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Now let’s take a look at the top suitors for the flame-throwing David Price… Ian Kinsler was ready right out of the chute.

A homer, groundout and double – the last coming with two outs in the eighth inning -produced three RBI, one more than the Twins had as a team. He was 2-0 with a 2.29 ERA in his previous three matchups, including a 3-2 home victory April 28. The left-hander labored through the first four innings, but found his command late and retired the last 10 hitters he faced. “But I pitched deeper tonight….”

Yoenis Cespedes added two hits and an RBI for the Tigers, who improved to 15-2 in games started by Price and 8-2 against the Twins this season.

Closer Joakim Soria worked a scoreless ninth for his 20th save.

“On my day I want us to win and I tell these guys that”, Price said. Dozier scored on a Trevor Plouffe RBI single. It was Kinsler’s 32nd career leadoff homer and his first this season. The Twins never found their offense in Thursday’s loss to the Tigers and needed to give starter Mike Pelfrey more help.

So, too, could Miguel Cabrera’s strained calf, which has him on the disabled list for about six weeks. He will receive one of the most lucrative deals in the game’s history if he pulls off a blockbuster second half.

The skinny: The Tigers chipped into the Twins’ lead for the final wild card spot in Thursday’s 4-2 win.

Minnesota rookie Miguel Sano has impressed with his ability to work counts and get pitches to hit. Sano went hitless in four at-bats, the first time in his eight-game career in the big leagues that he has not had a hit.

“””(Pelfrey) had gotten me out twice with the split-finger, so I figured at some point he’d try and go to it”, Kinsler said. The Twins have been a nice surprise this year as they are 4 games behind the Royals and in second place in the division. Dozier has hit safely in five straight games against Detroit, going 7-for-21.3. “So this series is definitely important”. Price’s last seven outings: 4-1, 1.79 ERA, 1.01 WHIP.

“He’s looked better”, Ausmus said. “He was one pitch away, just got too much of the plate”. “We’re hoping that he will be able to return in the six-week time frame”. The Tigers and Twins will continue their four-game series today at Target Field.

The right-hander is 0-3 with an 8.51 ERA in his last five starts and failed to pitch past the fifth inning for the third time in that stretch Saturday, giving up three runs in four-plus innings in a 5-3 win at Kansas City.