The Minnesota Twins, already hamstrung by poor pitching, have lost their way at the plate, too.
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Detroit Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander throws against the Minnesota Twins during the first inning in the second game of a baseball doubleheader Thursday, Sept. 22, 2016, in Minneapolis.
Erick Aybar drove in two runs for the Tigers, who moved a half-game ahead of Baltimore for the second wild card and trail Toronto by one game.
The Tigers went 9-0 at Target Field this year.
The makeup game between the Tigers and Twins on Thursday ends up being the first of two games today. “There’s still a little bit of the stretch run to go”.
Minnesota’s offense managed just two hits in five innings against right-hander Anibal Sanchez. Justin Upton was on third and found time to easily run home and score before laughing at that really bad pitch.
Francisco Rodriguez threw a flawless ninth inning for his 44th save. “I don’t think anybody’s going to let ups and downs, ebbs and flows, get to you”.
“Hopefully we celebrate and get to pop some bottles”, Verlander said. “But until that time comes, it’s on to the next one every day”.
A Minnesota Twins’ season that appears headed toward 100 losses has seen plenty of its down moments and being swept at home by the Detroit in the season series is among the top disappointments.
The two teams were scoreless with two out in the bottom of the third.
Verlander threw seven shutout inning, giving up one hit and four walks against the Indians in his last start.
The fans attending Thursday afternoon’s game between the Detroit Tigers and Minnesota Twins needn’t worry about elbow room or personal space. They had three errors and five wild pitches in the doubleheader, scheduled to make up Wednesday’s rainout.
“These games matter. We should be into them regardless of who’s in the stands”, Upton said. “It can be small when you’re losing these close games, especially when they’re low-scoring like that”. Dozier hit his 42nd home run of the season when he took Sanchez deep to left in the first inning. That set a single-season record for homers by an American League second baseman. I’m hoping that he can swing. “To get a chance to do that here at home is pretty cool”.
That leaves him tied with Lenny Green (1961) for third-longest streak in Twins history.
Detroit played without designated hitter Victor Martinez (bruised knee) and second baseman Ian Kinsler (concussion-like symptoms), both having been hit by pitches from Cleveland’s Trevor Bauer on Sunday. Manager Paul Molitor said Sano was still sore but was anxious to return. He made three trips to the DL with the injury, which hadn’t been detected in previous exams.
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Ervin Santana (7-10) was to start for Minnesota against Justin Verlander (14-8) in the night game.
