Jake Peavy delayed Detroit's chance to move closer to the AL Central title, pitching the Chicago White Sox past the slumping Tigers, 8-0, Friday night in Detroit.
The Tigers went into the final weekend with a two-game lead over Minnesota but got off to a bad start when Scott Podsednik hit a leadoff home run.
Detroit lost for the fourth time in six games. Meanwhile, the Twins held on for a 10-7 victory over Kansas City, after leading 10-0, and cut the Tigers' AL Central lead to one.
If the Tigers fail to hold off Minnesota, they will become the first team in major league history to lead a division on May 10 and stay atop it until losing the title in the last week of a season.
Detroit still has an opportunity, though, to win the AL Central without any help from the last-place Royals. With a magic number of two, the Tigers can wrap up the division by beating the White Sox the next two days.
Jeff Manship's first major league win was well-timed for Minnesota, which got a grand slam from Delmon Young.
The Twins and Tigers each have two games remaining.
