The Free Press, Mankato, MN

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  • Tom Olmscheid

    Twins photo

July 4, 2009

Twins fall to Tigers in 16-inning marathon

MINNEAPOLIS — Placido Polanco hit a pair of extra-inning RBI singles, the second giving the Detroit Tigers the lead for good in an 11-9 victory over the Minnesota Twins in 16 innings Friday night.

Polanco drove in a run in the top of the 14th inning off R.A. Dickey, but Michael Cuddyer’s RBI single in the bottom half tied it at eight.

With runners on second and third in the 16th, Polanco lined a single through the left side of a drawn-in infield, scoring Ramon Santiago with the go-ahead run. Ryan Raburn and Magglio Ordonez added insurance runs for the Tigers.

Freddy Dolsi (1-0) allowed gave up an unearned run in the bottom of the 16th, but held on for his second career win.

Dickey (1-1) took the loss for Minnesota, its first in four home games against the Tigers.

The Twins rebounded from a 7-2 deficit with a five-run sixth inning, highlighted by Denard Span’s two-run triple. Span finished with a career-high five hits.

Joe Crede led off the big sixth frame with a solo home run off Zach Miner, the 25th of his career against Detroit — his most against any team. Following a single, fielder’s choice and walk, Span and Brendan Harris hit consecutive triples to chase Miner. Joe Mauer added a sacrifice fly against Fu-Te Ni, giving Miner five earned runs allowed on four hits in two-thirds of an inning — his worst outing since allowing four runs in one-third of an inning on June 3 against Boston.

Miner wasn’t alone in his struggles.

Twins starter Kevin Slowey lasted just three innings for the second consecutive start, allowing a season-high six runs. It was Slowey’s worst outing since giving up six runs against the Tigers in Detroit on July 10, 2007. The right-hander has allowed at least three earned runs in four of his last five starts with a 7.54 ERA during that stretch.

Luke French was solid in his major league starting debut for Detroit with two runs allowed on six hits in 4 2-3 innings. Marcus Thames snapped an 11-game home run drought, and Josh Anderson hit a two-run triple for the Tigers.

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