Tigers Clinch AL Central with Two Games Remaining
The sparkling wine was popping - and spraying - in Kansas City Monday night after the Detroit Tigers became the AL Central Champions for the second year in a row with a 6-3 victory over the Royals.
Detroit will be in back-to-back playoffs for the first time since 1934-35.
Rick Porcello pitched a shutout into the sixth inning, and Triple Crown hopeful Miguel Cabrera had four hits - including a solo home run in the sixth - to help push the Tigers to the win.
Prince Fielder, whose clutch two-run homer in the previous game gave the Tigers a 2-1 lead against the Twins, also had four hits in the game.
Jhonny Peralta scored a solo home run for the Tigers in the 5th inning, before the bats exploded in the 6th with five Tigers runs.
The Tigers, who were a few games back from first place just a couple weeks ago, clinched the division with two games remaining. Last year, they clinched the division with over a dozen games remaining, proving just how tight the race was in the AL Central this year.
A Chicago loss would have also clinched it for the Tigers, but they won at Cleveland 11-0.
The Tigers will open the playoffs at home this Saturday at Comerica Park.
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