Detroit, Twins split DH

AL Capsules

Twins 3, Tigers 2, 10 innings, 1st game

Tigers 6, Twins 5, 2nd game

DETROIT (AP) - Justin Verlander kept the Tigers on top in the AL Central, pitching eight innings in a win over the Twins that salvaged a split of their critical doubleheader.

Detroit restored two-game division lead over Minnesota, which won the day game 3-2 in 10 innings, with two games left in the series and five to go in the regular season.

Verlander (18-9) gave up four runs and eight hits. Fernando Rodney pitched the ninth for his 36th save in 37 chances, overcoming some shaky defense that allowed Minnesota to pull within a run.

Brian Duensing (5-2) gave up five runs over 4 2-3 innings for the Twins, who had a chance to at least tie the game in the eighth and ninth.

Delmon Young started the Minnesota ninth with an infield single. Rodney retired the next two batters and Nick Punto followed with a fly ball to center that Curtis Granderson misjudged, allowing it to go over his head and helping the Twins pull within a run. Rodney then got Denard Span to hit a game-ending fly to left.

Orlando Cabrera hit a go-ahead single in the 10th inning of the opener, leading Minnesota to the win.

Brandon Lyon (6-5) helped the Twins by throwing consecutive wild pitches after throwing only one previously all season. Jon Rauch (4-1) earned the win and Joe Nathan picked up his career-high 45th save.

Rays 3, Orioles 1

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) - Rookie Wade Davis allowed one run over seven innings, Carl Crawford stole his career-high 60th base and Tampa Bay handed Baltimore its 12th straight loss.

The Orioles' slide is the longest in the majors this season. Tampa Bay (Sept. 3-13) and Cleveland (Sept. 13-24) both had 11-game skids. It is Baltimore's longest slump since dropping 12 in a row Aug. 16-28, 2004. The Orioles (60-97) are a season-worst 37 games under .500.

Davis (2-1) gave up seven hits, with six coming in the first three innings. The right-hander retired his last 11 batters.

Ben Zobrist had a run-scoring double during a two-run first for the Rays, who are 9-5 after an 11-games losing streak.

Baltimore's Jeremy Guthrie (10-17) allowed three runs and seven hits over seven innings.

Yankees 4, Royals 3

NEW YORK (AP) - A.J. Burnett pitched well in an encouraging playoff tuneup and the Yankees rallied for two runs in the ninth inning to get their seventh straight victory.

Little-used Juan Miranda got the game-winning hit off ex-Yankee Kyle Farnsworth (1-5), an infield single that caromed off the reliever's leg and into foul territory between home plate and first base. Miranda raised his arms in jubilation as he crossed the bag and the AL East champions rushed out of the dugout to celebrate as if they'd just won a playoff series.