Tigers Beat Twins, Blackburn Optioned
The Twins lost 5-1 at Detroit Wednesday night after both teams endured a 2 hour and 26 minute rain delay. Justin Verlander threw all 9 innings with 4 hits and 1 earned run allowed with 7 strikeouts to get the win for the Tigers. Chris Parmelee homered to account for the lone Twins run and Denard Span was 2-4 for the Twins.
Brian Duensing threw 4 1/3 innings with 4 hits and 2 earned runs allowed to take the loss and drop to 1-5. Duensing left the game in the 5th inning when he took a line drive off his left ankle. X-rays were negative and Duensing has a bruised left ankle.
The Twins are 35-46 and will play at Detroit again today at 12:05, pregame on WJON at 11:35. Lefthander Scott Diamond (7-3) gets the start on the mound for the Twins and righthander Rick Porcello (6-5) toes the rubber for the Tigers.
The Twins before the game Wednesday optioned righthanded starting pitcher Nick Blackburn to triple-A Rochester. Blackburn is 4-5 with a 8.10 ERA in 13 starts this season for Minnesota. The Twins called up reliever Casey Fien from triple-A Rochester. He has a 4.30 ERA and 9 saves in 12 save chances at triple-A this season.