Twins tie Tigers at the top

MINNEAPOLIS – Nick Punto’s voice was hoarse and he strained to describe how the Minnesota Twins have rallied from seven games down in less than a month to push the A.L. Central race to the final day.

“It’s been Game 7 for the last two weeks,” Punto croaked.

Michael Cuddyer hit a solo home run in the eighth inning, lifting the Twins to a 5-4 victory over the Kansas City Royals on Saturday that moved them into a tie with the Detroit Tigers, who lost to the Chicago White Sox 5-1.

Joe Mauer delivered his biggest hit in an MVP-caliber season, a two-out single off Cy Young candidate Zack Greinke that broke a scoreless tie in the sixth. Delmon Young added a three-run double later in the inning for a 4-0 lead.