Twins rooting for Tigers

MINNEAPOLIS - The playoff party plans in Minnesota are still on hold.

In a fitting conclusion to this slow-moving AL Central race, the Twins won their final scheduled game of the regular season and stayed in first place - but were forced to cheer against the White Sox for another day.

"It's kind of an ongoing joke that it seems like nobody wanted to win the Central, so this is kind of probably the way it should go down, going into a game tomorrow when the season's supposed to be over," closer Joe Nathan said.

Scott Baker scattered 4 singles over 7 shutout innings, pitching the Twins past the Kansas City Royals 6-0 on Sunday to preserve their half-game lead over the White Sox - who pushed the season into an extra day by defeating Cleveland.

Detroit visits the Sox today for a makeup game. If the Sox win, they'll host the Twins on Tuesday in a one-game playoff to determine the division title and the first-round opponent for Tampa Bay.

The Twins were planning to gather at the Metrodome and become Tigers fans for a day, but they made it sound like it would be an agonizing afternoon.

At worst, the Sox win, and it's up to them to win the Central once and for all without any help. At best, they celebrate in an empty stadium and get ready to fly to Florida for the division series against the Rays.

Twins manager Ron Gardenhire tried to put some lighthearted pressure on his White Sox colleague Ozzie Guillen after the game.

"It's up to them. It's all on their shoulders now. I don't have to make a pitching move. I don't have to pinch hit anybody tomorrow. It's all on Ozzie's butt, so go get 'em Ozzie and let's see what happens," he said.

Gardenhire was then asked if the circumstances would dictate a more subdued celebration than when the Twins won titles in 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2006.

"I'm not going to sit here and tell you what's going to happen, but don't wear your good clothes," he said, smiling.