DETROIT -- Paul Molitor isnt particularly fond of the spoilers role.The Minnesota manager had his team in playoff contention much of last season. This year, the Twins are wallowing in last place in the American League Central.They have an opportunity to diminish the Detroit Tigers drive for a postseason spot during a four-game series this week. Molitor doubts that his team will gain extra motivation from that. Minnesota lost the opener on Monday night, 4-2.Weve talked a little bit over the last few weeks about the spoiler role, he said. Some players might draw upon that somewhat, when youre playing a team thats trying to get in the postseason. The game highlights will probably be shown. Who knows how certain players respond to that?I never really took a lot of pleasure in being someone who wasnt in the race and beat teams that were trying to get in the postseason. Youre going out there and trying to play your best game, regardless of whether its spring training, April, September or the World Series.The Twins (53-91) have been an easy mark for the Tigers this season. Detroit (77-66) is now 11-2 against Minnesota while averaging 5.8 runs per game. Ian Kinsler and Miguel Cabrera had solo homers in Mondays game, helping the Tigers pull within one game of the Baltimore Orioles in the race for the second American League wild card.Theyve swung the bats well against us, Molitor said. (Justin) Upton had a slow start, and hes killed us. Cabrera has always kind of been a Twins killer. Victor (Martinez), J.D. (Martinez) -- they seem to swing the bats well against us. The have a really nice, balanced lineup.Minnesotas lineup was weakened Monday by the absence of first baseman Joe Mauer, who is batting a quad injury. Mauer also missed Sundays game against the Cleveland Indians and will sit out the Tuesday game against Detroit left-hander Matt Boyd.Im going to probably re-evaluate where hes at in terms of getting a start on Wednesday, Molitor said. Well see if 72 hours gives him a little bit of improved health with that leg.Twins third baseman Miguel Sano left the Monday game due to lower back tightness.Minnesota right-hander Kyle Gibson, who lost his only start against Detroit this season, will be on the mound Tuesday. Gibson (5-9, 5.34 ERA) is 3-5 with a 5.44 ERA in 10 career starts against the Tigers.Boyd (5-3, 3.89 ERA) has won both of his starts against Minnesota this season, posting a 2.25 ERA and 14 strikeouts in those outings.Boyd gave up two homers to the Twins on Aug. 24 in a 9-4 Detroit victory.Theyve got some solid bats in that lineup, he said. Theyve got guys with experience, and theyve got a lot of (young) guys with a lot of talent. Ive got to attack the zone, use all four pitches and keep doing what Ive been doing.Keeping his emotions in check in a pivotal game for his team will be a key for the second-year pitcher.Its awesome to be in a race like this, and its awesome to have a chance to start at home in the process of that, he said. Im not taking it for granted, but Ive got to look at it as just another start.The Tigers could be without Upton. He departed the Monday game because of a left calf strain. Jim Kelly Jersey . Thousands of fans at Mosaic Stadium will be cozying up to each other in an effort to stay warm in chilly temperatures and block the Prairie wind that locals say can knock your socks off. TreDavious White Jersey . But now that hes in the NHL, the Calgary Flames centre showed big improvement in that department by scoring the winner in the eighth round of a 5-4 shootout victory over the Winnipeg Jets on Monday. http://www.thebillsgearshop.com/Bills-Tremaine-Edmunds-Draft-Jersey/ . With their top three point guards and Kobe Bryant all sidelined by injury, the Lakers signed Marshall out of the D-League on Friday before their home game against Minnesota. Andre Holmes Jersey . "Trying to breathe," he said with a grin. Bernier stopped 42 of 43 shots on Monday night, including all 22 in a hectic middle frame, his heroic performance propelling the Leafs toward an undue point in their final game before the Christmas break. LeSean McCoy Jersey .S. Open champion Justin Rose birdied the first hole with a blind shot he hit to a foot of the pin, and he stayed in front Tuesday until he completed a 4-under 67 for a two-shot lead over Jason Dufner in PGA Grand Slam of Golf. MILWAUKEE -- Manny Pina had a night hed never forget.Pina hit a pinch-hit three-run home run with two outs in the ninth inning in the Milwaukee Brewers 7-4 loss to the Cincinnati Reds on Friday night.Yesterday was my first RBI in the big leagues and today was my first homer, Pina said. Its an amazing moment.Pina, who took the roster spot vacated when Jonathan Lucroy was traded, has appeared in six games and came from Detroit in the trade that sent former closer Francisco Rodriguez to Detroit.Pina has been savoring every minute in the majors, letting manager Craig Counsell know hed be available any time.Ill be ready when he needs me. If he needs me in three days, if he needs me back-to-back, if he needs me in the ninth inning, Pina said. Ill be focused and ready for every moment.Not much else went right for the Brewers.Reds starter Homer Bailey (2-1) struck out 11 in six scoreless innings in his third game back from Tommy John surgery and Cincinnati built a 7-0 lead before Ramon Flores hit a solo shot in the eighth and Pinas homer in the ninth.Brewers starter Jimmy Nelson (6-12) labored through five innings, allowing three runs off six hits and three walks.Other than the Duvall homer, there wasnt a ton of hard contact. Thats where Jimmys at, Counselll said.dddddddddddd. Thats why being in the strike zone, being around the strike zone with close misses is so important.MAN OF STEALBilly Hamilton stole bases on back-to-back pitches in the second and swiped his 51st base in the fourth, but was caught stealing later in the inning on a nice pickoff play by Nelson. Hamilton has 12 steals in his last five games.OFFENSE EVAPORATESThe Brewers didnt score until the eighth after they became the eighth team since 1961 to score in every inning they hit in in an 11-3 victory over Atlanta on Thursday.COUNSELL EJECTEDCounsell was ejected by plate umpire Bill Miller before the eighth.We had a little disagreement about balls and strikes, Counsell said.TRAINERS ROOMReds: Both Scott Schebler (calf) and Brandon Phillips (quad) returned to the lineup after both left Tuesdays win over the Cardinals. Cincinnati had a day off on Thursday.UP NEXTReds: Dan Straily (7-6, 3.76 ERA) is 3-0 with a 1.93 ERA in his last five starts for Cincinnati, which is 16-10 since the All-Star break.BREWERS: Milwaukee sends Zach Davies (9-4, 3.58) to the mound. Davies is 9-1 with a 2.92 ERA in his last 17 starts. Cheap NFL Jerseys Camo Wholesale Authentic Jerseys Cheap Nike NFL Jerseys Cheap Jerseys 2020 Wholesale Black NFL Jerseys Wholesale Nike NFL Jerseys China NFL Gear Wholesale NFL T-shirts Cheap Nike NFL Jerseys Nike NFL Jerseys China Wholesale NFL Hoodies Black China NFL Jerseys Wholesale Jerseys China Cheap Jerseys Store China Jerseys ' ' '