MINNEAPOLIS -- Playing against the woeful Twins boosted the Detroit Tigers playoff chances this season.Justin Verlander tied a season-high with 11 strikeouts and Detroit moved into the second AL wild-card spot by beating Minnesota 4-2 Thursday to sweep a day-night doubleheader.Erick Aybar drove in two runs for the Tigers, who moved a half-game ahead of Baltimore for the second wild card and trail Toronto by one game. Detroit went 9-0 at Minnesota this year.It will mean a lot more to me after 10 games, Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said of the wild-card lead. Theres still a little bit of the stretch run to go. But were clearly in the mix.Victor Martinez had a pinch-hit, three-run homer during a six-run ninth inning as Detroit won the opener 9-2. Justin Upton added his 26th home run.Verlander (15-8) allowed four hits in six innings, including home runs by Juan Centeno and Byron Buxton. He has won 12 of his last 13 starts against the Twins.Francisco Rodriguez got three outs for his 44th save in 48 chances.I think this ballclub is kind of unique, Verlander said. Everything is kind of matter of fact. Youve got the end goal, and were all working towards that. I dont think anybodys going to let ups and downs, ebbs and flows, get to you until the season. Hopefully, we get to celebrate and pop some bottles. But until that time comes, its on to the next one every day.Minnesota has lost six straight games and 98 overall, reaching 96 for the fourth time in six seasons and two short of its 2011 total.Ervin Santana (7-11) gave up four runs -- two earned -- five hits and four walks in in six innings in the matchup with Verlander.In the opener, Anibal Sanchez allowed one run and two hits in five innings in a spot start, and Alex Wilson (4-0), Shane Green and Mark Lowe finished the five-hitter.The nightcap was another sloppy game for the Twins, who committed two errors, had two wild pitches and one passed ball. They had three errors and five wild pitches in the doubleheader, scheduled to make up Wednesdays rainout.Its kind of been typical for us to hang in games and then not be able to finish, Minnesota manager Paul Molitor said. Thats part of what were hoping were developing here is these guys are understanding the fine line when you get down to the end, whether its making a pitch or making a play or getting a hit. It can be small when youre losing these close games, especially when theyre low-scoring like that.AMONG SECONDSBrian Doziers first-inning homer in the first game was his 42nd of the season and 40th while playing second base, establishing a new AL record for homers in a season by a second baseman. Dozier passed Alfonso Sorianos total in 2002. Only Rogers Hornsby (42 in 1922), Davey Johnson (42 in 1973) and Ryne Sandberg (40 in 1990) have hit more.Its just another number, Dozier said. But at the same time, I know the fans are enjoying it, so you come out and you play for them. To get a chance to do that here at home is pretty cool.Dozier had his 24-game hitting streak snapped in the second game.TRAINERS ROOMTigers: 2B Ian Kinsler (concussion) had an on-field workout and could be cleared to play Friday if he feels well after the workout.Twins: DH/3B Miguel Sano (lower back tightness) was back in the lineup for the first time since Sept. 12. Molitor said Sano was still sore but was anxious to return. . Molitor confirmed RHP Trevor May has a stress fracture in his back. May was 2-2 with a 5.27 ERA in 44 relief appearances. He made three trips to the DL with the injury, which hadnt been detected in previous exams. . RF Max Kepler left the second game with a mild neck strain after hitting the wall awkwardly.UP NEXTTigers: RHP Michael Fulmer (10-7) is to start Friday against Kansas City LHP Danny Duffy (12-2) in the opener of Detroits final homestand. Fulmer has lost four of his last six decisions and is 0-2 against Kansas City this season despite a 2.75 ERA in three starts.Twins: RHP Kyle Gibson (6-10) is slated to make his final home start of the season on Friday against Seattle, which will start LHP James Paxton (4-7). Cheap Nike KD Shoes Online .Y. -- Bills receiver Stevie Johnson has a bone to pick with the NFL schedule maker. Nike Kd Shoes Online .C. -- Glenn Howard needed an extra end to move into the Masters Grand Slam of Curling final. http://www.cheapkdshoes.com/ . -- The Missouri Tigers might not have a roster full of superstars. Kevin Durant Shoes Sale .J. Jefferson has been charged with assaulting his girlfriend. Cheap Nike KD Shoes . 1 position. The Mustangs (6-0), who beat Queens 50-31 last weekend, earned 17 first-place votes and 287 points in voting by the Football Reporters of Canada. Western was last ranked first in the country in October 2011. OAKLAND, Calif. -- Bostons next big thing has arrived.Yoan Moncada, a 21-year-old infielder who was ranked No. 5 in ESPN Insider Keith Laws midseason top 50 prospects list, joined the Red Sox on Friday night for the start of a three-game series against the Oakland Athletics.?He was not in the lineup but entered as a defensive replacement in the bottom of the seventh inning.[I] fully expect him to be in the lineup [Saturday],?manager John Farrell said before Fridays game.Moncada drew a five-pitch walk in the eighth and scored, and struck out swinging in the ninth in the Red Soxs 16-2 win.Travis Shaw got the start at third base Friday against Oakland right-hander Andrew Triggs?but figures to lose playing time to Moncada for the seasons final month. Shaw homered and had five RBIs on Friday, but he entered the game hitting .189 since the All-Star break.Farrell said Moncada, a switch-hitter who has had more success from the left side, will get the bulk of the starts against right-handed pitching. Aaron Hill will start against left-handers, and Farrell suggested Hill could replace Moncada for defense in the late innings of close games.Moncada has been a second baseman for all but 10 games of his minor league career, which has lasted only 187 games. He did play third in his nattive Cuba, so he and the Red Sox believe hell handle the position smoothly.ddddddddddddThis season for Class A Salem and Double-A Portland, Moncada hit a combined .294 with 31 doubles, six triples, 15 homers and 45 stolen bases.He said he still wasnt expecting a big league promotion.It was definitely a surprise for me, Moncada said through translator Daveson Perez. I didnt think they were going to call. Im here and ready to work. Its been a blessing.Boston president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said he has heard Moncada being compared to the Texas Rangers Carlos Beltran.Im not using that comparison myself, Dombrowski said. Im just telling you what other people have told me.Beltran is a switch-hitter, very good athlete, could run, could play defense, could drive the ball. ... Youre talking about a guy who has a chance to go into the Hall of Fame. I dont want to put that on anybodys shoulders.Dombrowski and Farrell believe Moncada has the skills and temperament to make an impact on the postseason race.Said Farrell: He wouldnt be here if we didnt feel like he could step in and contribute.The Associated Press contributed to this report. 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