The Tigers had runners on first and third with none out in the second after Magglio Ordonez led off with a double and Carlos Guillen followed with a bloop single to right. Santana then fanned Shelton. Ordonez was caught in a rundown and tagged out when he broke from third and Inge swung and missed.

Leyland took responsibility saying he didn’t alert Inge to look for the squeeze sign.

Guillen moved to third on the rundown, but Inge then struck out to end the inning.

The Twins had a runner retired at third base in the fourth. After Michael Cuddyer was hit by a pitch with two outs, Justin Morneau lined a ball off the wall in right centerfield. But Cuddyer was tagged out by Inge at third, who blocked Cuddyer off with his knee, after rounding the bag on a throw from second baseman Ramon Santiago.

“It was a well pitched game on both sides. We came in on the short end,” said Minnesota manager Ron Gardenhire. “It was one of those games that the one big hit wins it and that what they did.”

Joe Mauer and Torii Hunter singled with two out in the sixth for Minnesota. But Cuddyer flew out to end the threat.

“Both pitchers were great. Santana was unbelieveable, he’s one of or the best pitchers in the majors right now,” said the Twins’ Rondell White. “Verlander has the confidence of a 10-year vet. He didn’t strike out anyone but came in with the 97 miles per hour fastball with two strikes on you and it was real hard to hit.”

Notes: Minnesota optioned RHP Kyle Lohse to Triple-A Rochester. He was 2-4 with a 8.92 ERA in eight games. The Twins also recalled RHP Boof Bonser from Rochester. ... Detroit relieved Ramon Pena of his duties as special assistant to the general manager.

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