162 Games Not Enough, Twins and Tigers to Decide AL Central Tuesday

(Photo by Genevieve Ross/Getty Images)

Sept. 6, 2009: the Minnesota Twins sat at 68-68 and trailed the Detroit Tigers, who were currently on a six-game winning streak, by seven games. Just nine days later, the Twins learned that they would be without first baseman Justin Morneau for the remainder of the season.

The Twins responded the only way that they know how, they won, won, and won some more.

Since learning of the loss of Morneau, Minnesota has gone 13-3, including a 13-4 drumming of the Kansas City Royals Sunday afternoon. The Twins got two home runs from both Jason Kubel and Delmon Young Sunday, and Michael Cuddyer added a two run shot in the bottom of the eighth inning.

Followed by Detroit's 5-3 win over the Chicago White Sox earlier Sunday, Minnesota Twins fans enjoyed a farewell to the Metrodome after the game knowing that there was more baseball to be played.

Due to the Vikings Monday Night Football game against the Packers, Detroit and Minnesota will break the tie atop of the AL Central Tuesday at 4 p.m. CDT, with the winner earning an ALDS meeting with the New York Yankees.

Minnesota will turn to ace Scott Baker(15-9, 4.36 ERA), to vault them to the postseason, while Detroit will counter with rookie Rick Porcello(14-9, 4.04 ERA), to keep the Tigers atop the division, a spot that they have held on their own since early May.

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