The Detroit Tigers score early, then hold off the Minnesota Twins to move into first place with a 7-5 win. The teams combined for 24 hits and six walks, but most of those came early for Minnesota and the Tigers pen allowed an unearned run in 3 2/3 innings of work, giving up just two hits while striking out four. The Tigers defense also turned three double plays to increase the spread of base runners in Detroit’s favor.

Detroit lead 5-1 after two innings, but every time the Twins closed the gap to a run, the Tigers came right back and scored another. A nice example of bending without breaking in this game.

Jim Thome hit his 571st home run, and tripled for the first time since 2004 for the Twins.