Detroit Tigers stun Minnesota Twins with 9th inning HR’s; win 8-6

The Detroit Tigers and Minnesota Twins squared off in Minneapolis tonight, the first game of a three game series.

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Max Scherzer came into this game with a 2-0 record against the Twins; he looked lights out for the first few innings but the wheels soon fell off. The Tigers did however, pull off another victory, their 4th win their last 5 games. Miguel Cabrera and Torii Hunter hit back to back HR’s in the 9th inning to give the Tigers a late inning lead.

Scherzer: 7 IP, 4 ER, 7 Hits, 5 SO

The Tigers got things rolling quickly, scoring 2 runs in the top of the 1st. With Miguel Cabrera on 2nd and 2 out, Victor Martinez hit a ground rule double to score Cabrera. Then the red hot JD Martinez stepped to the plate, smacking a single to CF to score Victor. Nick Castellanos then struck out to end the inning.

Max Scherzer then made quick work of the Minnesota batters, needing only 9 pitches through the 1st inning.

The Tigers threatened in the 2nd but came up short after Ian Kinsler hit into an inning ending double play.

Sep 15, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Detroit Tigers left fielder J.D. Martinez (28) hits a RBI single in the first inning against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

Much like he did the in the 1st, Scherzer mowed through the Twins lineup, making it 6 straight retired batters.

Fast forward to the top of the 4th when the Tigers really took advantage of a struggling Swarzack- With JD Martinez on 3rd and Castellanos on 2nd, Bryan Holaday (who is filling in for the somewhat sick Alex Avila) doubled; scoring JD. Andrew Romine, who couldn’t hit himself out of a paper bag, even got in on the action, singling to score Castellanos and Holaday.

Tigers now extended their lead to 5-0

Detroit then scored one more run in the 5th to make it 6-0. But Oswaldo Arcia hit a solo shot of off Scherzer, his 17th of the year, to score the 1st Twins run of the game.

Things started to get a little shaky in the 6th as Scherzer threw a wild pitch to Joe Mauer to put runners on 2nd and 3rd with one out. It came back to bite them as Mauer slapped a single intot eh Target Field grass, scoring Brian Dozier and Danny Santana. DH Kenny Vargas then hit a single, advancing Mauer to 3rd. The Minnesota hit parade continued as Trevor Plouffe hit a sac-fly to score Mauer. Oswaldo Arcia struck out to end the inning.

Tigers lead 6-4

Things stay quiet during the 7th and 8th innings as Scherzer finished out his night to be relieved by Joba Chamberlain who was replaced only 2 batters later after giving up back to back walks.

Phil Coke entered the game, first facing Joe Mauer. A double steal by Danny Santana and brian Dozier was then implemented and poor Philly Coke didn’t even had a chance.

Game is tied 6-6 after Mauer hits a single.

Just when we’re all down on our luck, Torii Hunter and Miguel Cabrera hit back to back HR’s to take a 2 run lead.

Joakim Soria closed things out for the Tigers with the final being Tigers, 8 Twins, 6