The Twins lost 6-2 to the Detroit Tigers Thursday night in the first game of a 4-game series.  Justin Verlander silenced the Twins throwing 8 innings with 5 hits and 1 earned run allowed to get the win and improve to 13-5.  Verlander had 9 strikeouts for the Tigers.  Carl Pavano allowed 9 hits and 5 earned runs in 6 innings to take the loss and drop to 6-7.  Joe Mauer and Michael Cuddyer were each 2-4 for the Twins with Cuddyer driving in 1 run.

The Twins are 46-52 and are 6 games back of Detroit for first place in the American League Central.  Minnesota will host Detroit again tonight at 7:10, pregame on WJON at 6:40.  Lefthander Brian Duensing (7-7) gets the start on the mound for the Twins and righthander Max Scherzer (10-5) toes the rubber for the Tigers.

Outfielder Jason Kubel has been activated from the 15-day disabled list for the Twins and lefthanded pitcher Scott Diamond was sent back to triple-A Rochester to make room for Kubel.

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