DETROIT — The Detroit Tigers, energized by an impressive performance at the plate, secured a 10-5 victory against the Minnesota Twins on Saturday. Zach McKinstry delivered a standout performance with three hits, one of which was a home run, as the Tigers unleashed four homers overall in an offensive display.
Alongside McKinstry, Riley Greene, Kerry Carpenter, and Gleyber Torres each contributed a home run, propelling the Tigers to victory. On the mound, Casey Mize (8-2) showcased his talent by allowing just two runs on five hits and a walk over 6 2/3 innings while striking out five batters. Mize’s win-loss record improved to a perfect 5-0 at home, boasting a 2.00 ERA in his last six starts at Comerica Park.
Bailey Ober (4-6) struggled for the Twins, surrendering seven runs on 11 hits, including all four Tigers’ homers. He finished with one walk and five strikeouts. The Tigers initially took the lead at 1-0 in the second inning when Spencer Torkelson doubled and scored via a sacrifice fly. However, the Twins briefly surged ahead by 2-1, courtesy of Byron Buxton’s two-run homer in the third inning. Detroit responded swiftly in the bottom half of the inning as Carpenter launched a home run to even the score.
The Tigers capitalized further in the fourth inning, with Colt Keith’s sacrifice fly giving them a 3-2 advantage, followed promptly by Torres’ two-run home run. Greene added to the lead by launching another homer to start the fifth inning, stretching the score to 6-2. Subsequently, McKinstry hit a leadoff home run in the sixth, increasing Detroit’s lead.
Despite Carlos Correa’s two-run homer bringing the Twins closer in the eighth inning, Wenceel Pérez solidified Detroit’s command of the game with a two-run double in the bottom half.
A notable moment of the contest arrived in the second inning when Kerry Carpenter made a crucial leap at the left-field fence, preventing Ryan Jeffers’ fly ball from converting to a home run.
As for individual achievements, Buxton’s performance was remarkable as well, as he hit a home run and stole a base in a single game for the 15th time, tying Gary Gaetti for third place on the Twins’ all-time list for such feats.
Next, the teams are set to conclude their three-game series with a Sunday night matchup at Comerica Park, marking its first occurrence since 2017. Twins’ right-hander Chris Paddack (3-6, 4.64 ERA) is slated to compete against the Tigers’ formidable left-hander Tarik Skubal (9-2, 2.29 ERA), who’s unbeaten over his last 14 starts, boasting a 9-0 record.