Detroit Tigers Down Twins 8-1 as Boyd Shines

The Detroit Tigers defeated the Minnesota Twins 8-1 in the opening game of their three game set. Matt Boyd was spectacular and the Tigers’ offense came alive.

The Detroit Tigers were not playing at full strength on Tuesday. Ian Kinsler and Victor Martinez both were absent from the starting lineup after both were hit by pitches.

Hector Santiago got his second start against the Tigers in the last five days. He only surrendered one run on six hits. The pitcher compiled 13 fly outs, one groundout, and three strikeouts.

On Tuesday, he tried to replicate that outing, but the Tigers got to him as the night progressed. He finished with a final line of 5.1 IP, 7 H, 6 ER, 2 BB, 5 K.

Matt Boyd started against the Twins a week ago and was shelled in 3.2 innings. Tonight, he was magnificent.

He surrendered a leadoff single to Brian Dozier, and did not give up another hit until the seventh. At one point, Boyd retired 14 consecutive Twins before a Robbie Grossman home run. He finished with a line of eight innings pitched, three hits allowed, one earned run allowed, one walk and seven strikeouts on 99 pitches.

Detroit’s Offense Thrives

The Tigers got on the board first in the top of the third. Andrew Romine singled to left field with two outs. He then came around to score on a Cameron Maybin triple to give the Tigers the 1-0 lead.

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The Tigers then extended their lead in the fourth thanks to Miguel Cabrera. He hit a hustle double to lead off the inning. He then moved to third on a sacrifice fly where he deked Byron Buxton. Cabrera was initially called out at home on a groundout, but was ruled safe after a challenge.

The Tigers then added more in the sixth. Jose Iglesias singled and stole second to put himself in scoring position. J.D. Martinez walked and Justin Upton singled Iglesias home.

James McCann then unloaded on a Santiago offering into the upper deck in left-center to give the Tigers the 6-0 lead.

Each team then added a home run in the seventh. Cabrera hit a two run home run to give the Tigers the 8-1 lead. The Twins then answered with a Robbie Grossman home run to cut the lead to 8-1.

Next: McCann Tries Motivating the Team

These two teams will face off once again Wednesday night at 8:10. Buck Farmer will get the start for the Tigers as they continue to search for a back of the rotation answer. He will be opposed by Jose Berrios who has surrendered 12 earned runs in 5.2 IP against the Tigers this season.