Tigers 5, Twins 3: No comebacks today

Nicholas Castellanos got the Tigers off to a good start, blasting a 2-run homer to left in the first inning. In the 2nd, Brandon Dixon turned around a Martin Perez slider for a solo homer to make it 3-0, Detroit. Dixon should have been called out on strikes, but the home plate umpire missed the call, the next pitch landed in the left field seats.

Tigers hitters appeared to be sitting on inside pitches, so after the two home runs Perez switched to throwing mostly outside. This adjustment paid off, as from the 3rd inning on, Perez baffled the Tiger batters.

Daniel Norris, the starter for the Tigers, was breezing through the Twins lineup early on. Byron Buxton got the Twins first hit in the 3rd inning, but nothing came from it.

The Twins loaded the bases with 2 outs in the 5th, but the newly-returned Willians Astudillo popped out to end the threat.

Martin Perez got hit in the ankle by a 100 MPH+ line drive by Castellanos to start the 6th inning, and had to leave the game. Trevor May entered the game in his place. May worked into and then out of a jam to end the 6th, stranding two runners.

Trevor Hildenberger came in and gave up a run on a sac fly, and another on a single by Miguel Cabrera. He gave up 3 hits, and a HBP in the inning, 5-0, Detroit.

Ehire Adrianza finally gave the Twins their first run with a solo homer to left field. Jake Cave followed with a double and Norris’s day was done. Victor Alcantara came in and gave up an RBI single to Buxton. Astudillo then hit a double to right center, moving Buxton to third. Jorge Polanco popped out for the 2nd out. Eddie Rosario pinch-hit for Nelson Cruz, prompting Gardy to bring in the lefty Daniel Stumpf, prompting the Twins to then pinch-hit Mitch Garver.

The cat and mouse game was nearly won by the Twins, as Garver just missed a home run down the left field line. Garver ended up settling for a walk to load the bases for Marwin Gonzalez. Stumpf walked him, driving in a run to make it 5-3.

Buck Farmer was brought in to face C.J. Cron, who unfortunately struck out to end the inning.

In the 8th, Adrianza took a walk with 1 out against Joe Jimenez, and then Buxton doubled to push him to 3rd. But Jake Cave struck out, and Astudillo popped out to end the threat.

Shane Greene came in for the Tigers and closed out the game. The Twins end up splitting the 4-game series with Detroit.

Notes:

• Martin Perez left the game with an ankle injury, he’s day-to-day.
• Nelson Cruz left the game with a wrist injury, and will be reevaluated

Studs:

Byron Buxton: 3-3, BB, 2B, R, RBI

Ehire Adrianza: 2-3, BB, HR, RBI

Duds:

The Twins with RISP: 1-5, 11 men left on base.

Robot Roll Call: