DETROIT — Prince Fielder’s eighth-inning, three-run homer powered Detroit to a 7-3 win over the Minnesota Twins at Comerica Park Thursday. The Tigers scored five times in the eighth to take control of the game, in which the Twins were leading at the time, 3-2.
Minnesota, however, had three runners thrown out at the plate on the afternoon, and scored just three runs off of 15 hits. Struggling to score cost the Twins a chance at a key series win. Instead, they fall 12 games under .500, and further out of the AL Central race.
Fielder wasn’t the only Tiger to go deep in the eighth inning. Former Twin Delmon Young also homered — that’s like a punch to the gut.
After the game the Twins optioned first baseman Chris Parmelee back to AAA Rochester and called up hard-throwing right-hander Sam Deduno. Deduno will start Saturday against the Rangers.
The addition of Deduno gives the Twins 13 pitchers for the weekend, something Gardenhire says the team needs.
The series in Texas will put a bow on the first half of the season, with the All-Star break to follow.
