MINNEAPOLIS — The Metrodome erupted in a jet-like roar as Carlos Gomez zoomed home with the winning run to finish off an AL Central race — and a thrilling tiebreaker — that didn't want to end.

Minnesota wouldn't quit, while the Detroit Tigers finished their historic fade. And there was little time for the Twins to celebrate, because the New York Yankees were waiting.

Alexi Casilla singled home the winning run with one out in the 12th inning and the Twins rallied for a 6-5 victory last night, completing a colossal collapse for the Tigers.

"This is the most unbelievable game I've ever played or seen," Twins shortstop Orlando Cabrera said.

As Gomez scored from second — well ahead of a late throw from right field — Homer Hankies spiraled. The Twins celebrated and scrambled: They had 21 hours to get ready for Game 1 of the AL playoffs at Yankee Stadium against New York ace CC Sabathia. He'll face rookie Brian Duensing.

The Tigers will head home instead. They became the first team in history to blow a three-game lead with four games left.

"I guess it's fitting to say there was a loser in this game because we lost the game, but it's hard for me to believe there was a loser in this game," Tigers manager Jim Leyland said. "Both teams played their hearts out. You can't ask for anything more than that."

The Twins overcame a seven-game gap in the final month, went 17-4 to pull even on the final weekend and won their fifth division title in eight years.

Both teams had chance after chance to end it earlier, and each club scored in the 10th. Casilla tagged up and was thrown out at the plate to end that inning by left fielder Ryan Raburn.

The Tigers thought they'd taken the lead in the 12th. But with the bases loaded, plate umpire Randy Marsh ruled that Brandon Inge was not hit by a pitch by Bobby Keppel. The replay appeared to show the pitch grazing Inge's billowing uniform.

"I did not have the ball hitting him. We looked at replays, too, and the replays we've looked at, to be honest with you, were inconclusive," said Marsh, the crew chief.

"It hit my shirt. Period," Inge insisted. "I want to hit as much as the next guy, but when it's that important ..."

DETROIT MINNESOTA

AB R H BI AB R H BI

Grndrs cf 5 1 2 0 Span cf-rf 5 0 1 0.

Polanc 2b 6 0 1 0 OCarer ss 6 1 1 2.

Ordonz rf 5 2 2 2 Mauer c 4 0 2 0.

Thoms rf 1 0 0 0 Kubel rf 4 1 1 1.

MiCarr 1b 5 1 2 2 Gomez cf 2 1 1 0.

CGuilln dh 3 0 0 0 Cuddyr 1b 5 1 1 0.

WRmrz pr-dh 0 0 0 0 DlmYn lf 5 0 1 0.

A.Huff ph 0 0 0 0 JMorls dh 2 0 0 0.

Kelly pr-dh 1 1 1 0 BHarrs ph-dh 1 0 0 0.

Raburn lf 4 0 2 0 ACasill pr-dh 1 0 1 1.

Inge 3b 5 0 1 1 Tolbert 3b 5 1 2 1.

Laird c 6 0 0 0 Punto 2b 4 1 1 0.

SANTIAG SS 4 0 1 0.

EVERETT PR-SS 1 0 0 0.

Totals 46 5 12 5 Totals 44 6 12 5.

Detroit 003 000 010 100—5.

Minnesota 001 001 200 101—6.

One out when winning run scored.

E—Porcello (2). DP—Detroit 1, Minnesota 2. LOB—Detroit 12, Minnesota 12. 2B—Mi.Cabrera (34), Inge (16), Mauer (30). 3B—Cuddyer (7). HR—Ordonez (9), Mi.Cabrera (34), O.Cabrera (9), Kubel (28). S—Span.

DETROIT IP H R ER BB SO

Porcello 52/3 4 2 1 2 8.

Miner 2/3 4 2 2 0 1.

Ni 1/3 0 0 0 0 0.

Lyon 12/3 0 0 0 1 1.

Rodney L,2-5 3 4 2 2 3 1.

MINNESOTA

S.Baker 6 6 3 3 2 2.

Rauch 2/3 0 0 0 0 0.

Mijares 0 1 0 0 0 0.

Guerrier 2/3 1 1 1 2 0.

Nathan 12/3 2 0 0 0 2.

Crain 11/3 1 1 1 0 2.

Mahay 1/3 0 0 0 0 1.

Keppel W,1-1 11/3 1 0 0 2 1.

S.Baker pitched to 1 batter in the 7th.

Mijares pitched to 1 batter in the 7th.

HBP—by Miner (B.Harris), by Crain (A.Huff).

Umpires—Home, Randy Marsh; First, Dale Scott; Second, Jerry Layne; Third, Gary Cederstrom.

T—4:37. A—54,088 (46,632).