Maroth keeps doing his share for Tigers

The Detroit Tigers have been unbeatable with Mike Maroth on the mound.

Maroth gave up one run in 6 2/3 innings and Carlos Guillen homered and drove in four runs to help the Tigers to a 7-3 victory over the Minnesota Twins on Friday night.

Detroit has won all seven of Maroth’s starts this season, and the Tigers have won 10 of their last 11 games to move into first place in the Central Division.

“Seven and 0, that’s pretty good,” Guillen said. “He throws strikes and keeps us in the game.”

Maroth (3-0) sat out the last four months of last season after having surgery to remove bone chips from his left elbow, but has shown no ill effects upon his return. He yielded nine hits and struck out three to get his first victory since April 12.

“I think the best thing about Mike Maroth is he competes,” Manager Jim Leyland said. “He stays within himself and competes.”

The Tigers extended their lead over Minnesota to 5 1/2 games, but the Tigers know all too well that it’s way too early to be celebrating. They held a 12 1/2 -game lead over Minnesota last June before the Twins rallied to win their fourth division title in five seasons.

Johan Santana (4-3) gave up two runs and six hits in six innings, but once again the Minnesota offense got going too late to help him. After reliever Fernando Rodney’s throwing error allowed Michael Cuddyer to reach first, Justin Morneau hit a two-run homer to left to pull the Twins to within two runs, 5-3, in the eighth. But Guillen hit a two-run homer off Juan Rincon in the ninth.