The Twins picked up an 8-3 win over the Detroit Tigers on Sunday. Top pitching prospect Brusdar Graterol also made his MLB debut in the ninth inning.
Graterol allowed two singles but displayed fastballs that touched 99-100 mph, while picking up a strikeout.
Meanwhile the Indians, who were swept by the Rays, fell to Tampa Bay 8-2, which extends the Twins’ lead in the division to 5.5 games.
Minnesota did most of their damage in the second inning with four RBI singles from Jake Cave, Jason Castro, Jorge Polanco and Nelson Cruz.
Cruz and Eddie Rosario padded the team’s lead with RBIs in the eight inning, giving the two 91 and 92 RBIs, respectively, this season.
Michael Pineda, who’s been the team’s most consistent starting pitcher over the last two months, was superb once again going six innings and allowing just two runs on five hits with nine strikeouts.
Sam Dyson and Sergio Romo also pitched out of the bullpen in the win
Willians Astudillo played in his first game since July 23 and started at first base and was 1-for-2 with an RBI and a run scored.
Byron Buxton, who was activated off the injured list before the game, also made his return to the Twins as a defensive replacement in center field in the bottom of the ninth.
With the win, the Twins improve 84-52 on the season and will close out their four-game series with Detroit on Monday. Jake Odorizzi will start for Minnesota with first pitch at 12:10 p.m.
