Twins 8, Tigers 2: Josh Willingham and Trevor Plouffe hit home runs in support of Mike Pelfrey as host Minnesota claimed the rubber match of the three-game series.

Twins rookie Aaron Hicks delivered a two-run single in a five-run eighth inning for his first major-league hit, and shortstop Pedro Florimon had a two-run double in the big frame.

Pelfrey (1-0) pitched 5 1/3 innings in his Twins debut, allowing two unearned runs on five hits to earn his first win since Aug. 24, 2011. Six relievers combined to shut out the Tigers the rest of the way.

Tigers starter Rick Porcello (0-1) allowed three runs on six hits over 5 1/3 innings to take the loss. He gave up a two-run blast to Willingham in the third and a solo shot to Plouffe in the fourth.

The Twins broke it open in the eighth against Brayan Villarreal, as Chris Parmelee started the scoring with an RBI single and Florimon and Hicks added their big hits later in the inning.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Minnesota's bullpen allowed one run and four hits in 8 2/3 innings in the series. … Hicks had been 0-for-11 before his two-run single in the eighth. … Tigers 3B Miguel Cabrera drove in his fourth run of the season and Austin Jackson and Victor Martinez had two hits apiece for Detroit.