Leading 3-0 with Max Scherzer on the mound, it appeared that might be enough run support early on. However, the Twins tied it later that inning, forcing the offense to take action.
Victor Martinez gave us the lead back on a delivery just south of the left field border, setting us up for two total runs that inning. Martinez wasn’t finished, hammering one out in his next at-bat for a 7-3 lead. Without Miguel Cabrera in the lineup, V brought the hammer.
The Tiger bullpen was also dominant, going four innings with only a run allowed. Phil Coke stepped in for Al-Al in a 6th inning jam, striking Joe Mauer out with the bases loaded to end the struggle.
Detroit continued to attack, launching another dong off the bat of Rajai Davis in the 7th. Davis’ sweeping launch from the right side of the plate landed cleanly in left, scoring Don Kelly as well. Later that inning, Jim Johnson picked up Coke, ending a rally by Minnesota at only one run.
Detroit answered with their 10th run in the 8th. Then, Torii Hunter rallied us with two outs and the bases loaded for a triple, ending Minnesota’s hopes as their fans began to run away. Johnson went smoothly though his frame for a 1-2-3 inning.
Finally, some ninth inning rain cleansed our Tigers, leaving them with clear skies by the final out. We kept a much more balanced approach, walking eight times. Scherzer earned his 15th win, and the Tigers their 70th. They won the road trip and will receive tomorrow off.
….what goes around eh Twinkies?…………Tiger bats and eyes work together for a payback whupping..how about Phil ‘balls to the wall’ Coke with that inning ending strike out……don’t forget what worked now guys……. the damage you can do by respecting the walk!!!