MINNEAPOLIS — For the better part of a decade, Minnesota Twins pitchers have taken pride on their refusal to give bases away.

The pitch-to-contact staff was always among the very best in the league at keeping walks to a minimum and making hitters work for every baserunner.

That hasn’t been the case this year, and it’s no coincidence that the Twins are in the AL Central basement.

The Twins walked eight in a 9-7 loss to the Detroit Tigers on Wednesday, Minnesota’s fifth straight defeat.

Starter Scott Baker walked a career-high five and Jose Mijares also had a costly one in the eighth inning. The Twins walked 17 hitters in the two-game series against the Tigers and have walked at least five in a game 13 times this season.