Baker returns, helps Twins top Detroit

One by one, the pieces fell into place for the Twins on Saturday in their 100th game of the season.

They defeated the Tigers 4-1 at Target Field, and the badly needed victory provided a template for how they can continue climbing in the American League Central race.

Scott Baker pitched five shutout innings, passing a big test for his right elbow. Danny Valencia and Delmon Young produced some key runs. And the bullpen protected the lead, with Glen Perkins and Joe Nathan slamming the door.

"A really good win for us," manager Ron Gardenhire said. "We needed it after [the Tigers] won the first two games."

Beyond winning Thursday and Friday, the Tigers had won 11 in a row against the Twins dating to last September, including the first seven meetings this season.

Now, sitting six games behind the first-place Tigers, the Twins will send Francisco Liriano to the mound Sunday, looking for another four-game split, just like they got against Cleveland earlier in the week.

Sunday will be another big day for Baker, too, as the team waits to see how his elbow responds from his first start in 18 days. He had been on disabled list because of a strained flexor muscle.

"In the first inning, it felt like I could have gone either direction, but as the game went on, I felt good," he said after throwing 82 pitches.

The Tigers managed two hits against Baker (8-5) in the first inning, but only one more over the next four innings, as he lowered his ERA to 2.88.

"More than anything, it felt like a good workout," Baker said. "I'm sure I'll be a little sore [Sunday], but as long as it's not hurting-type soreness, just some general soreness, I'll have plenty of time to get it out."

Gardenhire talked about what it would mean having Baker on the mound every fifth game down the stretch, but couched his excitement by saying, "We'll see tomorrow."

The manager saw other good signs, too.

Valencia led off the second inning with his 12th home run, then walked in the fourth inning against Tigers starter Brad Penny (7-7). Young followed that walk with a two-run double to right-center field, giving him 25 RBI.

"That was nice," Gardenhire said. "[Penny] was spinning some balls on him and tried to go away with a fastball, and Delmon drove it, which is big for Delmon. We need him. We need him to drive in runs. He's an RBI guy.

"Danny Valencia had another big home run today, so we've gotta have it all the way up and down. A lot of guys have to get rocking here."

Few are rocking better than Perkins, who gave up a leadoff double to Ryan Raburn in the eighth but stranded him on third base by striking out Magglio Ordonez with a slider and Miguel Cabrera with a fastball clocked at 97 miles per hour.

Nathan also gave up a double to Jhonny Peralta before striking out Carlos Guillen with a curveball and getting Alex Avila to ground to first for the game's final out. It was Nathan's 253rd save with the Twins, leaving him one short of Rick Aguilera's team record.