The Minnesota Twins returned to Minnesota for a key divisional matchup with the Detroit Tigers, and wasted no time in getting a big lead.

The action started in the bottom of the first inning when Trevor Plouffe hit a double to right field to score Aaron Hicks and Joe Mauer, giving the Twins a quick 2-0 lead. That was followed up by a Torii Hunter single to first base that scored Miguel Sano and gave the Twins the 3-0 lead. Kurt Suzuki then stepped up and singled to center field to allow Plouffe to score.

The inning would end after that, but the Twins would pick up right where they left off in the second inning as Sano singled to center field to score Brian Dozier and send Joe Mauer to second base. Eduardo Escobar would knock a single to right field to score Mauer and extend the lead to 6-0.

After failing to score in the third inning, the Twins would add another run in the fourth inning when Escobar hit a home run to left center field off of Kyle Lobstein to make it a 7-0 Twins lead.

That would be all that the Twins would score, and Tyler Duffey would need, as the Twins rookie right-handed pitcher went 6.1 solid innings, only giving up one run on seven hits while racking up seven strikeouts. He was replaced by right-hander Casey Fein, who threw 1.2 innings with three strikeouts and no hits allowed. Left-hander Neil Cotts then came on in the ninth inning, allowing only one hit and recording one strikeout to clinch the win for Minnesota.

With the win and a Texas Rangers victory, the Twins will remain one game behind the Rangers in the chase for the final Wild Card spot in the American League. The Twins are now on a two-game winning streak, after beating another divisional rival in the Chicago White Sox on Sunday. However, while all of this winning is good, it does them no good if Texas keeps winning. In the last 10 games, both the Rangers and Twins have gone 6-4, keeping Texas' one game intact.

One important note is the fact Texas has started a four-game series with the Houston Astros, giving Minnesota a prime opportunity to gain ground as they are playing a last place team in the Tigers.

The win moves the Twins to a record of 75-68, while Detroit drops to a record of 65-78. The two teams will play game two of the three game series on Tuesday night, with the Twins sending Phil Hughes (10-8, 4.49 ERA) to the mound while Detroit will counter with Alfredo Simon (12-9, 4.94 ERA). Once this series is done, the Twins will welcome the Cleveland Indians to Minnesota for another key divisional matchup.

Win- Tyler Duffey (3-1)

Loss- Kyle Lobstein (3-8)

VAVEL USA Player Of The Game: Joe Mauer, 3-for-5 with two runs scored