The Twins chipped away with single runs in the sixth and seventh innings on Grossman’s first RBI single and a run-scoring hit from Eduardo Escobar.
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Berrios, 22, didn’t get out of the first inning in a start against the Tigers in Detroit on May 16.
Detroit Tigers’ Victor Martinez hits a two-run double off Minnesota Twins pitcher Michael Tonkin in the sixth inning of a baseball game Thursday, Aug. 25, 2016, in Minneapolis.
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – The Detroit Tigers slipped back toward the pack in the wild-card race with an ill-timed stretch this month of 10 losses in 13 games.
They found the ideal tonic on this trip to Minnesota, using the last-in-the-league Twins as a launching pad for their playoff push.
Detroit’s catcher went a cool 4-5 at the plate, clubbing a game changing three run home run to help lead in the win.
“It’s not that simple in baseball”, said Tigers manager Brad Ausmus.
The Tigers have gotten the best of the Twins in head-to-head matchups this season, going 9-2.
“Sometimes that’s needed”, Upton said.
Norris will be making his eighth start in the Majors this season; in none of the previous seven has he allowed more than three runs.
He said getting four hits in a game is “definitely a special feeling”.
Brian Dozier hit his career-high 30th homer for Minnesota, but starter Tyler Duffey (8-10) allowed six runs in three innings as the Twins lost their sixth straight.
Minnesota will start Tyler Duffey, who has had good past success against Detroit.
“I was surprised”, Berrios said through a team-issued interpreter.
“Young players struggling up here”, manager Paul Molitor said, “it takes its toll”.
The Detroit Tigers will be back here at Target Field in just three weeks, but they might not want to leave.
Detroit posted three-run frames in the second and third, getting an RBI fielder’s choice grounder from Andrew Romine and a two-run double from Ian Kinsler to take a 3-0 lead in the second. “I’d be lying if I didn’t say that (the triple) crossed my mind, but at the end of the day, early on, in my at-bats early, I was just trying to hit it hard”.
“It makes you feel good but in the end you have to go execute”, said Tigers slugger Victor Martinez. The team scored more than eight runs for a fourth straight game.
Francisco Rodriguez preserved the victory by striking out two in a ideal ninth for his 35th save in 38 opportunities.
J.D. Martinez’s 14-game hitting streak, the longest active run in the league and tied for the longest of his career, ended with a 0-for-5 afternoon. He was the only Tigers starter not to reach base.
Ranking 16th in home runs, Minnesota has hit 150 this season.
Tigers: With Jose Iglesias expected back on Friday from a DL stint for a strained left hamstring, Ausmus said he’ll still play Erick Aybar at SS at times. Casey McGehee will continue to be the regular 3B with Nick Castellanos out.
This attempt to change Berrios’ arm action is a professional first for a pitcher who established a nine-inning walk rate of 2.6 in 544 minor-league innings. RHP Ricky Nolasco (4-11, 5.22 ERA) will start for Los Angeles. LHP Pat Dean will take Santiago’s spot and start Friday at Toronto.
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Right-hander Pat Light, acquired from Boston for left-handed reliever Fernando Abad on August 1, made his Twins debut by recording the last two outs of the seventh inning.
