Tigers Get Beat Up by Twins

Nick Blackburn combined with two relievers on a five-hitter, and Joe Mauer's two-out, two-run single sparked a five-run third inning

that led the surging Minnesota Twins over the Detroit Tigers 7-0 Wednesday.

Minnesota took two of three from the Tigers and has won 13 of its last 15 games. Detroit, which had won 18 of 22 coming into the

series, was shut out for the 10th time this season, the most in the major leagues.

The Twins have outscored the Tigers 39-17 in six games at the Metrodome this year, winning five.

Blackburn (7-4) allowed three hits in seven innings, struck out four and walked one. Jesse Crain allowed two hits in the eighth, and

Boof Bonser pitched a 1-2-3 ninth.

In his previous start, Blackburn gave up six runs and four homers June 27 in a no-decision against Milwaukee. He has given up four

or more earned runs in five starts this year, and in the starts directly after, he is 5-0 with a 1.82 ERA.

Eddie Bonine (2-1) was chased after 2 2-3 innings, the shortest of his four major league starts. He gave up five runs - just two

earned - and seven hits.

Minnesota used small ball, laying down three bunts in the game and putting together its third-inning rally with five singles, a walked

and an error by third baseman Carlos Guillen.

Nick Punto walked opening the third and, following a forceout, Carlos Gomez doubled over Guillen, who was creeping in. Gomez

had opened the game with a bunt single.

Mauer's two-out single put the Twins ahead to stay, and cleanup hitter Justin Morneau reached on an infield chopper off the plate

that Guillen bobbled. Jason Kubel, Delmon Young and Brian Buscher followed with consecutive RBI singles.

Notes:@ In 2003, the Tigers were blanked 11 times before the All-Star break, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. ... Twins

manager Ron Gardenhire was in good spirits before the game with the doctor's report of a clean bill of health for his heart, an exam

prompted by a stress test that raised concern. "They did say the big diet word. They did say a lot about that. Workout and diet,"

Gardenhire said. ... Tigers 1B Miguel Cabrera was out of the lineup for the second straight game after hurting his left hip flexor

muscle. Manager Jim Leyland said he was available to pinch hit and that he expects him to play Thursday at Seattle. ... An MRI on

Twins RF Michael Cuddyer's right index finger revealed a sprain at the knuckle; the original diagnosis was a strained tendon. He's

eligible to come off the DL on July 12, two days before the All-Star break, so the team might wait until after that to activate Cuddyer

and send him to play in a couple of minor league games during the break.