Max Kepler's two-out, two-run single in the eighth inning lifted the AL Central-leading Minnesota Twins over the Detroit Tigers 4-3 on Monday.
The Twins have gone 6-1 in the first seven games of a 10-game road trip. Detroit went 1-6 in its seven-game homestand.
Trailing 3-2, Minnesota started the eighth with two singles off Buck Farmer (5-6). He retired the next two batters, but Ehire Adrianza's infield single loaded the bases for Kepler.
Matt Hall relieved and Kepler lined his single to center field.
Zack Littell (3-0) got the win and Taylor Rogers worked a perfect ninth for his 22nd save.
Tigers starter Jordan Zimmermann, relying heavily on the sinker he started throwing after the All-Star break, gave up two runs on nine hits in six innings.
Twins starter Jake Odorizzi allowed three runs and five hits in five innings. He struck out seven without walking a batter.
Miguel Cabrera hit a solo home run, his 10th, in the Detroit first. Adrianza put Minnesota ahead with a homer in the second.
Detroit rallied in the fifth, starting the inning with three singles to tie the score. Jake Rogers bunted the runners to second and third and Victor Reyes hit a sacrifice fly to put Detroit up 3-2.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Twins: C Mitch Garver left the game in the fourth inning after a pitch deflected off his glove into his jaw. The pitch was originally ruled to have hit Harold Castro, but it was overturned by a replay review. Garver is listed as day-to-day with a sore jaw.
TIGERS: C John Hicks was a late scratch due to illness and replaced by Jake Rogers.
UP NEXT
Twins: Minnesota begins a three-game series at Boston on Tuesday. The Twins have not announced the starter for the first game, but will be facing Rick Porcello (12-10, 5.42).
Tigers: Detroit travels to Kansas City for three games against the Royals. Daniel Norris (3-11, 4.66) will start for the Tigers on Tuesday against Mike Montgomery (3-7, 4.66).
