DETROIT _ Just because you're in the driver's seat for a postseason berth doesn't mean you always have to check the mirrors.
You might want to buckle up _ the ride could get bumpy _ but the Twins just might not like what they see in that mirror, like Angels. And, suddenly, Rangers.
"We talked the other day," Twins manager Paul Molitor said. "We just have to try to win games. What they do is obviously going to be a factor. One of those teams behind us and the Angels can win nine out of 10 (games) too. You just don't know.
"We've got to try to win today."
Sitting in the second wild-card spot in the American League, the Twins don't need any favors. Their chase is after the final 10 games of the regular season, seven of which are against a Tigers team that is tumbling toward last place in the AL Central. Take care of the Tigers, and check the mirror later.
On Thursday, the timely hitting that was elusive in New York returned. The Twins got into the Tigers bullpen early and pulled away to a 12-1 win as they opened a four-game series at Comerica Park, the fifth time this month the Twins have scored at least 10 runs in a game.
Joe Mauer was 3-for-4 with two RBIs and two runs scored. Polanco was 3-for-4 with a RBI and run scored.
With the Angels losing 4-1 to Cleveland earlier in the day _ the Indians have beaten Los Angeles 11 consecutive times _ the Twins now lead by 2 { games for the second wild-card spot.
The clutch hits the Twins lacked against the Yankees were everywhere on Thursday, as the Twins scored nine runs with two outs. Two big ones were Byron Buxton's two out, two-run single to center in the fourth then a three batter sequence in the sixth with two outs. Robbie Grossman singled to right, Brian Dozier walked and Mauer laced a two-run double to left. Polanco followed with smash that deflected off of first baseman Miguel Cabrera and into right field. Mauer scored from second as the Twins took a 7-1 lead.
Twins left-hander Adalberto Mejia lasted 4 2/3 innings, giving up one run on a Jeimer Candelario RBI single in the third. He was denied a chance at his fifth win for good reason. He gave up a two-out single to Candelario, bringing the dangerous Cabrera to the plate.
This is not the time to worry about pitchers qualifying for wins. Molitor went to Dillon Gee, who gave up a single to Cabrera _ a victory? _ before getting Nick Castellanos to flight out to end the inning. Gee pitched a scoreless sixth before leaving the game.
It's all up to the Twins as the season winds down. If they finish strong _ and most of the remaining matchups in their favor _ they won't have to worry about who's trailing them in the wild-card race.
Molitor appears not to be vexed by the lurking Angels. At least, not much. Molitor didn't even wait up Wednesday night to see if the Angels beat the Indians, opting to check the next morning.
"I got up (Thursday) and I started my routine," Molitor said. "I went and got coffee and to take a little hike. I said. 'Oh yeah, I should check to see what happened.' So it wasn't my first thought. I guess that's a good sign, that I'm not consumed by it."
