DETROIT, Mich. — Through 5 innings in Wednesday’s matchup between the Detroit Tigers (3-3) and the Minnesota Twins (4-2), the Tigers had control. Starting pitcher Matthew Boyd had given up only 1 run as the Tigers held a 1 run lead. The first few times through the Twins lineup, Boyd seemed locked in; he had given up just the one earned run while striking out 5.
However, the Twins made a rally in the 6th. With two outs, Kyle Garlick got on with a single to left-center field. When Cruz grounded out to the shortstop, the inning looked to be over. However, a challenge from the Twins showed Cruz was safe on the throw and the inning continued. The Twins capitalized as Jorge Polanco ripped a double in the gap, scoring both Garlick and Cruz as the Twins took a 3-2 lead. That score would hold as the Twins secured their second series win of the year, taking 2 of 3 games over the Tigers.
For the Twins, starter Kenta Maeda gets credit for his first win of the season. He pitched a solid 6 innings, giving up 2 earned runs while striking out 6 Tigers. Alex Colome shut down the Tigers in the bottom of the 9th, earning his 2nd save of the season. For the Tigers, Matthew Boyd suffers his first loss of the season. He left the game with 3 earned runs, 7 hits allowed, and 8 Ks.
Twins throw out two Tigers at the plate
Right after the Tigers gave up the lead, they looked to tie the game in the bottom half of the inning. Leading off, Willi Castro singled to right to set up Miguel Cabrera with no outs. The big man delivered, stroking a Maeda sinker into left for a double. It looked like the Tigers would tie the game as Castro rounded third, but he was but down at the plate; the Twins got a perfect relay from Andrelton Castro to the plate to gun down Castro as he attempted to score from first.
Then, the Tigers got another shot as they loaded the bases for Jonathan Schoop with 1 out. However, the Twins got another great play at the plate; Schoop flew out to right field, and Garlick was able to gun down a tagging Cabrera for the third out. The Tigers would go on to lose by 1 run, making the two runs lost at the plate even more devastating.
Baddoo continues his hot start
Starting the season, no Tiger was as anticipated as rookie outfielder Akil Baddoo. Coming out of Spring Training, the former single-A minor leaguer turned heads; he hit for a .325 average, 5 homeruns, 11 RBIs, and had 4 stolen bases to make the Opening Day lineup.
Through his first 4 games, he has been outstanding. He has hit 2 homeruns (T-1st for Tigers), driven in 7 runs (1st for Tigers), and stolen a base (T-1st for Tigers). On Wednesday, he continued his hot start, driving in another run with a triple in the 6th inning. He has become the most interesting story for this 2021 Tigers team.
Up Next
Twins vs. Mariners, Thursday, April 8, Target Field, Minneapolis, Minn.
Tigers @ Indians, Friday, April 9, Progressive Field, Cleveland, Ohio
