MINNEAPOLIS — The Tigers wore down Twins pitching for their highest walk total in two years before pulling ahead late for their fourth straight win. Trey Sweeney’s go-ahead infield single set off a three-run seventh inning for an 8-5 victory Saturday night at Target Field.
The Tigers’ third consecutive win in the series, combined with Cleveland’s second consecutive loss to Atlanta, stretched Detroit’s lead to 8 1/2 games in the AL Central, the largest gap since the end of July. With 3 1/2 games gained since last week, the Tigers’ path to the postseason has become simpler, even when their path to victory Saturday was anything but.
Detroit drew nine walks off Twins pitching, its highest total in a game since Sept. 3, 2023, against the White Sox. With four walks each from Minnesota starter Zebby Matthews and reliever Travis Adams, the Tigers put eight of its first 30 batters on base via walks against just 16 outs. However, only one of those walks scored.
Spencer Torkelson’s first-inning RBi single and Kerry Carpenter’s third-inning solo homer built a 2-0 lead, but Detroit missed chances to break the game open, going 1-for-13 with runners in scoring position through six innings while leaving 11 runners on base.
