Twins

Hendriks vs. Sanchez; Tigers can clinch a tie for division title

Twins righthander Liam Hendriks notched his first major league win two starts ago, but he struggled against the Yankees on Monday.

By Joe Christensen

October 1, 2012 at 9:25PM

The Minnesota Twins lost 6-3 to the New York Yankees in the first game of their three day series Monday night, September 24, 2012 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minn. Twins startign pitcher Liam Hendriks pitching in the seventh inning, his last of the night. He gave up four home runs in his outing. (Star Tribune/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

The Tigers won't be spraying any champagne today at Target Field, but Detroit can clinch at least a tie for the American League Central title with a win over the Twins -- if the White Sox lose to the Rays. Detroit has a two-game lead over Chicago with four games remaining.

The Twins will send Liam Hendriks to the mound today, hoping to delay Detroit's party even longer. The Tigers counter with righthander Anibal Sanchez, who showed everyone why Detroit traded for him this July, when he tossed a three-hit shutout Tuesday against the Royals.

The Tigers finish the regular season with a three-game this week in Kansas City, and the White Sox close with three games in Cleveland.

AL BATTING RACE

1. Miguel Cabrera .327
2. Mike Trout .321
3. Joe Mauer .320

TIGERS (85-73)

1. Austin Jackson, CF
2. Quintin Berry, LF
3. Miguel Cabrera, 3B
4. Prince Fielder, 1B
5. Delmon Young, DH
6. Andy Dirks, RF
7. Jhonny Peralta, SS
8. Alex Avila, C
9. Omar Infante, 2B

Starting pitcher: RH Anibal Sanchez (4-6, 3.05 ERA)

TWINS (66-92)

1. Denard Span, CF
2. Ben Revere, RF
3. Joe Mauer, C
4. Justin Morneau, DH
5. Ryan Doumit, LF
6. Chris Parmelee, 1B
7. Trevor Plouffe, 3B
8. Alexi Casilla, 2B
9. Pedro Florimon, SS

Starting pitcher: RH Liam Hendriks (1-8, 6.09 ERA)

Target Field. First pitch: 1:10 p.m. TV: FSN. Twins Radio Network

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about the writer

Joe Christensen

Sports team leader

Joe Christensen, a Minnesota Star Tribune sports team leader, graduated from the University of Minnesota and spent 15 years covering Major League Baseball, including stops at the Riverside Press-Enterprise and Baltimore Sun. He joined the Minnesota Star Tribune in 2005 and spent four years covering Gophers football.