Twins 11, Tigers 7: Detroit's bullpen couldn't keep up with Minnesota's

Snap Reaction: Detroit's bullpen gave up a bunch of runs. Minnesota's didn't. That's the difference in a nut shell.

This was not a good day to be Rick Porcello. Or any pitcher, really. But especially Porcello.

I don't know about you, but I have a hard time remembering when last I saw the entire infield make an error. Prince Fielder and Ramon Santiago committed a pair in the first inning. Minnesota scored two. Ryan Raburn added one in the second inning. Porcello gave up a long batter after that to give the Twins five runs. Miguel Cabrera joined in during the third inning. Fortunately for Porcello, that didn't cost any runs.

However all the extra effort -- in addition to the obvious fact that Porcello wasn't very good, either -- meant that Porcello managed to hit 100 pitches in four innings. He gave up six runs on six hits -- just two runs were earned.

Anyway, look at the score again. Pitching was hard to find for either team. Duane Below gave up two runs. Luke Putkonen a run. Collin Balester two runs.

For the Twins, Nick Blackburn allowed six in just two innings. Jeff Gray another one. And ...

And that was the difference, really. The Twins bullpen shut the Tigers down effectively. The Tigers bullpen gave up runs just as often as always.

You can blame the Tigers lineup if you're one who enjoys missing the point, but this was all about pitching.

Andy Dirks led Detroit's efforts with three hits. Austin Jackson had two before leaving with an injury. Miguel Cabrera had two. Cabrera and Fielder accounted for four RBI between them.