Detroit Tigers split day night double header with Twins

Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

The Detroit Tigers split their day-night double header after an abysmal outing last night. The first game today was nearly as bad as last night, with rookie Buck Farmer getting rocked in his second ever Major League start and the Tigers losing 12-4. Farmer went an inning and a third and gave up seven runs on five hits with two walks and three strike outs. Pat McCoy relieved him for an inning and gave up another two runs on five hits. The bright spot of the day was the five and two thirds innings thrown by Kyle Lobstein in his Major League debut. He did give up three runs, but was strong through the majority of his outing, giving up four hits and four walks but striking out three.

The Tigers offense put up four runs with Ian Kinsler, Ezequiel Carrera, Miguel Cabrera and Nick Castellanos adding RBI to their totals, but it wasn’t enough to match up with the Twins’ offensive explosion.

The second game of the double header was better, but still dicey. The Detroit Tigers beat the Twins 8-6 with Justin Verlander getting the win. While Verlander still gave up four runs, he was much better with his control and his pitch placement, though he had some issues with hanging his slider. Verlander went five and two thirds innings and gave up four runs on eight hits and three walks. He struck out six. Blaine Hardy pitched an inning and a third, and gave up one run on one hit. Joba Chamberlain pitched a fast, clean eighth and though Joe Nathan gave up a run, he closed the game out and tallied the save.

The Detroit Tigers offense was hot with every starter, save for Rajai Davis, getting a hit. Torii Hunter, Victor Martinez and J.D. Martinez all had great games with three hits each. Nick Castellanos, Bryan Holaday and Eugenio Suarez all had two hit games. Suarez and Castellanos both also had two RBI.

The Detroit Tigers hope to split the series tomorrow with a win in the final game of the series against the Twins at 2:10pm