MINNEAPOLIS — Aaron Hicks, Pedro Florimon and Josh Willingham each drove in two runs apiece as the Twins hammered Detroit, 8-2, Thursday at Target Field.
Hicks and Florimon drove in their runs in a five-run eighth inning. Hicks’ two-run single was the first hit of his big league career, ending an 0-for-11 drought to start his rookie season.
Afterwards, he told GamedayGold.com, that he was “glad to get that monkey off my back”:
GamedayGold.com Audio: Aaron Hicks postgame.
Earlier, Josh Willingham and Trevor Plouffe each homered.
Willingham’s two-out homer in the third inning tied the score, 2-2. In the fourth inning, Plouffe connected, to give Minnesota a one-run lead.
The Twins had fallen behind due to some sloppy defensive play, as the Tigers posted unearned runs in the first and third innings.
Mike Pelfrey, making his American League debut, pitched into the sixth inning to get the win, as he scattered five hits — all singles. For Pelfrey, it was his first start since undergoing Tommy John surgery last May.
The Tigers had a great chance to tie the game in the seventh inning, with runners on second and third and no outs. After Torii Hunter struck out, Miguel Cabrera was walked to load the bases. Reliever Tyler Robertson came in to strike out Prince Fielder. Casey Fien then entered the game, and got Victor Martinez to pop out to preserve the one-run lead.
Minnesota (2-1), is over .500 for the first time since 2010. They now travel to Baltimore for a weekend series against the Orioles.
