MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. - Rookie outfielder Casper Wells, a former All-American for the Towson University Tigers, hit the first home run of his major league career at Target Field on Thursday night and it helped the Detroit Tigers beat the American League Central-leading Minnesota Twins, 10-9 in 13 innings.

Wells, who joined Detroit last week after being recalled from Toledo, picked a very opportune time to hit his milestone home run. With the Tigers trailing by 8-7 in the top of the ninth inning, the Schenectady, N.Y. led off and blasted his first career homer over the rightfield fence off reliever Jesse Litsch.

Detroit went on to edge the Twins, 10-9, in 13 innings.

Since being recalled from Toledo on August 23, Wells has been a very hot hitter for Detroit. He had the first three-hit game of his career on Tuesday night and has raised his seasonal batting average to .355. He has hit five doubles with one homer and eight RBI's.

Wells is batting .409 since he was recalled.

He made his big league debut for Detroit in May when he spent a week with Detroit.

Honored as the Colonial Athletic Association Player of the Year in 2005, Wells is only the third Towson Tiger player to play in the major leagues.

Ironically, he is one of five CAA alumni playing for the Detroit Tigers. In addition to Wells, Detroit has All-Star pitcher Justin Verlander (Old Dominion), third baseman Brandon Inge (Virginia Commonwealth), infielder Will Rhymes (William & Mary) and infielder Scott Sizemore (Virginia Commonwealth).