(Sports Network) - The Detroit Tigers try to put even more room between them and the Minnesota Twins in the AL Central standings when the two teams hook up tonight for the second contest of a three-game set at the Metrodome.

On Friday, Craig Monroe singled in the go-ahead run in the 10th inning as the Tigers overcame a 12-strikeout effort from Francisco Liriano to beat Minnesota, 3-2.

Chris Shelton singled to right off Juan Rincon (3-1) to start the Detroit 10th. Vance Wilson's sacrifice bunt then put Shelton into scoring position before Curtis Granderson struck out. Placido Polanco legged out an infield hit before Monroe laced a hit down the left-field line.

Fernando Rodney (5-3) picked up the victory by throwing the ninth inning and Todd Jones retired the side in order in the 10th to secure his 28th save.

Magglio Ordonez added a two-run double for Detroit, which won for the seventh time in nine games.

Liriano, who was trying for his 13th victory, pitched incredibly well, allowing three hits and two runs with three walks in eight innings. His 12 strikeouts equaled a career-high.

Luis Castillo and Joe Mauer drove in runs for the Twins, who lost for just the second time in their last 14 contests but dropped 9 1/2 games behind the first-place Tigers in the AL Central. Minnesota, which had won seven in a row at home, is 1 1/2 games behind the Yankees for the wild card spot.

Taking the hill for the Twins tonight will be Brad Radke, who has won two straight starts and five consecutive decisions overall. On Monday, the veteran allowed just two earned runs and seven hits over six strong innings of a 7-4 victory against the Chicago White Sox.

Radke, who hasn't lost since being outlasted by the Oakland Athletics on June 3, has allowed two earned runs or fewer in six of his last eight outings. He has been especially tough at home this season, posting a 7-2 ledger with a 3.68 ERA in 11 starts.

Radke has made 35 starts in his career against the Tigers, going 19-8 with a 4.69 ERA and three complete games. However, he is 0-2 with a whopping 9.72 ERA in two starts versus Detroit this season.

Countering for the Tigers today will be Nate Robertson, who put an end to a personal three-game slide with a solid outing against Oakland on Sunday. In that game the left-hander allowed four earned runs and five hits over seven innings of work.

Robertson has found some success on the road this season, posting a 4-2 mark with a solid 3.43 ERA in nine starts. Lefties are hitting just .174 against the southpaw this season.

In 12 career appearances (11 starts) against the Twins, Robertson is 4-5 with a 4.39 ERA. He picked up the win in his only start against Minnesota this season, allowing three earned wins over five innings of a 7-4 victory back on May 16.

The Tigers have won eight of 10 matchups with Minnesota this season.