The Minnesota Twins fell to the Detroit Tigers 7-4 in 12 innings last night at Target Field. With the late victory the Tigers took 2-of-3 from the Twins.
The Tigers scored three in the top of the 12th thanks to an RBI single from Ian Kinsler and a two-run homer from J.D. Martinez off Twins reliever Brian Duensing (4-1).
It ended what was a strange game, that saw both teams struggle to hold late leads. Detroit strung together three hits to start the ninth inning off Twins closer Kevin Jepsen. By the time they were done, the Tigers had taken a 4-3 lead.
But the Twins responded in the bottom of the inning on an RBI double from Trevor Plouffe to even the game, and it stayed that way until the 12th.
Ploooooooooouffe!
@TPlouffe24 smacks an RBI double down the left-field line to tie the game in the bottom of the 9th!
4-4 game.
— Minnesota Twins (@Twins) September 17, 2015
Twins starter Ervin Santana battled his way through seven innings. He gave up two runs, on four hits while striking out five and walking four.
Santana was helped out by three double-plays, two of them happened thanks to outstanding defensive plays from Brian Dozier.
Casey Fien pitched a scoreless eighth, but Jepsen wasn’t able to hold it as he blew his first save in a Twins uniform.
The Twins rookies led the way again for Minnesota. Eddie Rosario was 2-for-3 with a home run and two RBIs on the night. Miguel Sano also came through he was 2-for-3 with a pair of doubles and a run scored.
Daniel Norris started for the Tigers, he lasted just 3 2/3 innings as he was on a pitch count. Tigers reliever Ian Krol (2-3) tossed three innings of hitless relief for the win.
The Twins will open a critical series with the Los Angeles Angels on Thursday night. The Angels are the team chasing Minnesota for that second wild card spot.
Tommy Milone (8-5) takes the mound against Angels left hander Hector Santiago (8-9)
