Detroit Tigers Defeat Minnesota Twins 5-4 as Victor Drives Home J.D. Twice

Sep 15, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Detroit Tigers designated hitter

(41) hits a RBI single in the first inning against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

The Detroit Tigers defeated the Minnesota Twins 5-4 in the second game of their three game series as Victor Martinez drove in J.D. Martinez twice in the victory. Alfredo Simon faced off with Phil Hughes in this game. Neither dazzled, but Simon got the better end of the stick based on the fact that he lasted longer in the game. Hughes only went three innings in his first start off of the DL as his pitch count was around 70 tonight. He finished the night with a line of 3.0 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 4 K. Simon finished his night with a line of 6.1 IP, 8 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 4 K.

The Tigers got the early lead in the top of the first. Ian Kinsler singled on a ground ball up the middle, J.D. Martinez walked, and Victor Martinez singled to give the Tigers the 1-0 lead. Nick Castellanos then singled to right field and Victor Martinez was thrown out at third on the play to end the inning, but not before  J.D. scored to give the Tigers the 2-0 lead.

The Tigers extended their lead in the top of the second. James McCann doubled with one out and came home on a two-out Anthony Gose single. Kinsler grounded out to end the inning, but the Tigers had the 3-0 lead.

The Twins cut into the Tigers’ lead. Eddie Rosario tripled with one out. Simon kept Rosario at third by getting Eduardo Escobar to line out, but Kurt Suzuki knocked Rosario in with a single that deflected off of Nick Castellanos to cut the lead to 3-1.

The Tigers added a run in the top of the 6^th when the Martinezes combined for back-to-back hits. J.D. Martinez doubled to lead off the inning and Victor Martinez drove him in with a single to give the Tigers the 3-1 lead.

The Twins then struck back in the bottom of the 7^th. Byron Buxton led off with a double and moved up to third on a bunt base hit from Aaron Hicks. Brian Dozier struck out swinging to end Simon’s night as Brad Ausmus did not want Simon facing Joe Mauer for a third time. Instead, Blaine Hardy walked Mauer for the only batter he saw. Drew VerHagen then replaced Hardy and surrendered a two run Single to Miguel Sano to cut the Tigers’ lead to 4-3. VerHagen then induced a much needed double play from Trevor Plouffe to avert disaster.

The Tigers then added an insurance run in the bottom of the 8^th. Tyler Collins walked to lead off the inning, James McCann singled, and Andrew Romine brought home Collins with a sacrifice fly to give the Tigers the 5-3 lead.

In the 9th, Bruce Rondon struggled once again as Kurt Suzuki singled and Mauer doubled him home, but Rondon retired Sano to end the game and secure the Tigers the victory.

These two teams play the rubber game of their series Wednesday night at 8:10. Anibal Sanchez was schedule to make the start, but instead of his return to the DL, he was scratched due to a setback in his injury. Instead, Daniel Norris will make his return from the DL and oppose Ervin Santana.