Duensing, Cuddyer help Twins trim Tigers division lead

Joe Mauer and Joe Nathan celebrate a win that brought the Minnesota Twins within three games of the Detroit Tigers in the race for the AL Central division crown. (AP Photo/Paul Battaglia) One strike away from victory, Minnesota Twins closer Joe Nathan fired a fastball to Detroit Tigers’ pinch hitter Aubrey Huff that was off the plate outside by a good foot. Despite the obvious ball, boos defeaned the Metrodome. The fans, knowing their Twins were ahead 3-0 and on the verge of cutting into the Tigers four-game division lead, balked at the close pitch in anticipation of what could be. If Minnesota is going to make the playoffs, they have to beat Detroit for the AL Central crown. They entered the series opener against the Tigers four games behind with 16 games left. Seven of those, including this all-important game, are against Detroit. Though they have a realistic chance of overcoming the deficit and expect to do so, many throughout the media have prematurely given them little c...