Twins’ wild-card lead grows to 21⁄2 games

Joe Mauer and Jorge Polanco had three hits each, and the Minnesota Twins extended their lead for the American League’s second wild card by beating the Detroit Tigers, 12-1, on Thursday night.

The Twins are2 ½ games ahead of the Angels in the race for the AL’s final postseason spot.

Minnesota scored three runs apiece in the fourth and sixth innings, then added four more in the eighth. The Twins rebounded froma three-game sweep at the hands of the New York Yankees, routing a depleted Detroit team that is 4-17 in September after trading Justin Verlander and Justin Upton.

Adalberto Mejia fell one out short of a win. Dillon Gee (3-2) was credited with a victory in relief. CUBS 5, BREWERS 3 (10 INNINGS) » Javier Baez had a tying single with two outs in the ninth inning, Kris Bryant hit a two-run homer in the 10th, and Chicago widened its NL Central lead. The Brewers were in position to win it in the bottom of the ninth, loading the bases with one out. But Wade Davis (4-1) got a strikeout and groundout. CARDINALS 8, REDS 5 » The Cardinals rinsed the bad taste of being swept by the Cubs the best way they could — sweeping Cincinnati. Dexter Fowler delivered again, hitting two doubles and a single as St. Louis overcame Scott Schebler’s two home runs to win. ROYALS 1, BLUE JAYS 0 » Jason Vargas turned in his best performance in months to pick up his third win in three starts. Vargas (17-10) and four relievers combined on a two-hitter.