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Today’s lineups:
MIN: Arraez 2B, Polanco SS, Sano DH, Donaldson 3B, Rosario LF, Gonzalez 1B, Cave RF, Avila C, Buxton CF, Berrios P
DET: Maybin RF, Reyes CF, Cron 1B, Stewart DH, Candelario 3B, Goodrum SS, Demeritte LF, Romine C, Lugo 2B, Nova P
Ivan Nova pitched 1.2 innings for the Tigers, retiring all five batters he faced. I have no idea why he left the game—it doesn’t say he was hurt, and he was effective. Detroit’s bullpen also performed well for most of the game, but you have to think using that many innings will hurt them in the long run.
The game was scoreless until the top of the fourth, which was lead off by old friend C.J. Cron. Cron hit a solo bomba 394 feet on the fly, erasing the cold streak he brought into the game. Detroit extended their lead to three-nothing in the sixth, and again, it was Cron starting off the action, this time with a one-out single. Christin Stewart followed with another single, and then Jeimer Candelario brought both men in on a 3-2 double to right field. Sergio Romo took the mound for the Twins and took care of the next two batsmen.
Like the old joke, all of the action for the Twins happened ‘in the big inning.’ David McKay on the mound for the Tigers, and Marwin Gonzalez took a leadoff walk. McKay was replaced by Buck Farmer. Farmer got two outs, but also allowed Alex Avila to walk and Luis Arraez to single, scoring one run and leaving runners on first-and-second for the new Detroit pitcher, Tarik Skubal. Skubal allowed a Jorge Polanco single that loaded the bases and brought Miguel Sano to the plate. Two swinging strikes later and it was a Sano-doubter, a GRAND SLAM that traveled deep into the stands in left-center. 406 feet on the home run. Josh Donaldson and Eddie Rosario would both draw walks as well before Gardy’s third pitcher of the inning, Bryan Garcia, induced a grounder from Gonzalez for an out. The tide had turned however, Detroits’ pen blew it, and the Twins had a five to three lead.
Taylor Rogers went full FRE, and left two men on base. Tyler Duffey came in, picked up his second save, and held the Tigers scoreless in the ninth.
Notes
- Ehire Adrianza came in as a defensive sub for Donaldson in the ninth, and committed an error. Circus baseball!
- Cody Stashak got the win, Rogers a hold, and Duffey the save. For Detroit, Tarik Skubal picked up both a blown save and the loss.
- Don’t look now, but the Twins are tied on top of the AL (with Toronto.) In the NL, the Mets and Braves both have 15 wins (Mets with six losses, Braves with eight,) while the Cubs and Dodgers are also 13-8 — tied with the top teams in the AL.
STUDS:
Miguel Sano: 2-4, GRAND SLAM, 4 RBI,
Luis Arraez: 2-4, RBI, double
DUDS:
No Duds, Twins win!
Tomorrow: Home against the Tigers at 1:10pm (look for the recap around 5)