Detroit dumped the Twins 3-0 Thursday afternoon, winning the final three games of the four-game series at Comerica Park, including two in shutout fashion. The Tigers have pitched five shutouts since the All-Star break.
Kenta Maeda did everything in his power to keep the Twins in the game, allowing just one run on three hits over six innings. But Minnesota’s streaky lineup managed just two hits against Detroit right-hander Reese Olson and they nothing against the Tiger bullpen over the final three innings.
The Tigers struck first when Riley Greene hit a long home run to right-center field. The ball left Greene’s bat at 110.3 mph and traveled an estimated 453 feet.
Riley Greene – Detroit Tigers (10) pic.twitter.com/P5ZQARL5HA
— MLB HR Videos (@MLBHRVideos) August 10, 2023
That 1-0 lead blossomed in the seventh when the Tigers beat up Dylan Floro. Floro, the only player the Twins traded for before the Aug. 1 deadline, struck out Spencer Torkelson to start the inning but then gave up three straight singles and then a two-run double to Zach McKinstry.
Olson had just 20 strikeouts in his past six starts combined but wound up fanning eight Twins. It was only his third game this season with eight or strikeouts. The others included an eight-strikeout performance against the last-place Royals and a nine-strikeout game against the Twins on June 24.
Minnesota has dropped three in a row after winning five straight and they’re now 60-57 overall, just 3.5 games ahead of second place Cleveland in the AL Central.
Up next: Twins at Phillies, Friday in Philadelphia at 6:05 p.m. CT.
