The Tigers were unable to pull off another win against the Twins as they lost game two 6-4.
Today’s game started with some questions. After a brief delay due to potential impending weather, it was determined the game should go ahead and start. The starters for the game were slated to be Framber Valdez for the Tigers and Mike Paredes as the start of a bullpen day for the Twins. The Tigers were hoping to ride their win from Tuesday, but what they weren’t anticipating was bringing the weather delay from Tuesday’s game with them as well.
Things got started in the first. Byron Buxton got a one-out walk, but then Brooks Lee grounded into a double play, and even as the inning was winding down the Jumbotron was advising fans to seek shelter immediately. As soon as Framber had gone through the side, the tarp was out on the field and the game was in a delay. An hour later, the game was back on and the Tigers went 1-2-3 in the home half.
Despite his lengthy downtime, Valdez was back out for the second, and with two outs, he gave up a home run to Royce Lewis. He got the final out of the inning, but the Twins were on the board first. Spencer Torkelson took a two-out walk in the home half, but he was the only baserunner for the inning and the Tigers weren’t able to bring him home.
Ryan Kreidler got a leadoff walk in the top of the third. Alex Jackson singled behind him. Both runners advanced a bag on a groundout from Austin Martin. Byron Buxton then hit into a fielder’s choice, where Kreidler was tagged out sliding into home. Props to Kreidler, who slammed into Dillon Dingler pretty hard at the plate and immediately checked on him as soon as he got to his feet. You don’t see that a lot in on-field play. Buxton stole second, then Brooks Lee walked. Thankfully after a mound visit, Valdez got back in the zone and got the final out of the inning. In the home half, Kevin McGonigle took a two-out walk, then Gleyber Torres hit a ball deep into the outfield that Byron Buxton narrowly missed catching on a diving play. It was an RBI double, bringing McGonigle home to tie up the game. Kerry Carpenter was hit by a pitch, taking a free walk, but no additional runs scored.
The Twins managed one baserunner in the fourth with Luke Keaschall getting a two-out single, but they weren’t able to bring him home. In the bottom of the inning the Twins dipped into their bullpen for Taylor Rogers and he got three outs in a row.
Alex Jackson was hit by a pitch to start the fifth. Then Austin Martin was hit by a pitch. This was followed by Byron Buxton hitting a three-run homer. So pretty much the worst-case scenario to start the inning. Brooks Lee singled, but then a double play and a pop-out ended the inning. The damage was done, though, and the Twins were up 5-1. Andrew Morris was the next pitcher in for the Twins’ bullpen day gave up a leadoff single to Zach McKinstry, with an assist from Keaschall who is new to playing first and couldn’t keep his foot on the bag. With one out, Morris was called for a balk, putting McKinstry into scoring position. McGonigle worked a walk. Torres then singled, loading up the bases. A Carpenter single brought two runs in. Two outs followed to end the inning, but the Tigers were now within one.
Brenan Hanifee was in from the Tigers’ pen for the sixth. Valdez had clearly started to falter in the fifth, so this didn’t come as a surprise. His final line for the game was 5,0 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 2 K, 2 HR on 75 pitches. With two outs a pinch-hitting Kody Clemens doubled. Hanifee did get out of the jam, though. Travis Adams was the new Twins pitcher in the home half, and he got the Tigers out in order.
Ty Madden replaced Hanifee and gave up a leadoff walk to Martin. Buxton then singled. A Brooks Lee groundout eliminated Buxton and moved Martin to third. That was it for Madden, after the second out, and he was replaced by Drew Sommers. A Josh Bell single scored Martin. Royce Lewis walked to load the bases, then a wild pitch allowed Lee to score. By the time S0mmers got the final out, the Twins were up 6-3. In the bottom of the seventh with one out, McGonigle got another walk. Torres then singled. Anthony Banda came in from the Twins’ pen and he got the final two outs of the inning.
With one out in the eighth, S0mmers was replaced by Beau Brieske. A comebacker deflected off of Brieske, allowing Jackson to get safely to first for a single. Austin Martin then singled. A double play off the bat of Buxton was a huge lifesave for the Tigers, getting them out of the inning without any extra runs scored. Brieske owes Kevin McGonigle a big hug for getting that double play turned. Riley Greene took a leadoff walk in the bottom of the inning. With a lot of effort from Buxton in the field, the Tigers were out of the inning with Greene left stranded.
Brooks Lee got a leadoff walk in the top of the ninth, followed by a single to Orlando Arcia. Brieske got really lucky with a double play, followed by a flyout to end the inning. The Tigers were down to their last chance to make something happen. Yoendrys Gómez came in for the Twins and gave up a single to Wenceel Perez. With one out, Torres walked. Matt Vierling hit a deeeeep flyout to center that was snagged by Buxton. For a hot second it looked like it could be something but it died short of the wall. Dingler singled, bringing Perez home. Alas, Greene struck out to end the game. Better luck and less rain tomorrow, Tigers!