Detroit’s Mark Canha ignited the offense with a solo homer in the first inning, setting the tone for the Tigers’ 8-2 victory over the Minnesota Twins on Friday night. Tarik Skubal’s impressive five-inning outing, allowing only two hits and two walks while striking out five, provided a solid foundation for the Tigers’ success.
The Tigers’ offense came alive in the middle innings, with Spencer Torkelson and Matt Vierling each contributing two hits and two RBIs. Detroit’s six-run surge from the fourth to the sixth inning put the game out of reach for the Twins.
Minnesota’s offense struggled mightily, managing only six hits and batting a league-low .184. Their lone runs came in the ninth inning, courtesy of Kyle Farmer’s RBI double and Edouard Julien’s run-scoring single.
A notable disappointment for the Twins was the performance of Michael Tonkin, acquired from the Mets to bolster their bullpen. In his first appearance for Minnesota since 2017, Tonkin allowed two runs, two hits, and two walks in two innings.
The Tigers, aiming to break their decade-long playoff drought, have now won two straight games for the first time since their 5-0 start. The Twins, on the other hand, have lost seven of their last nine games, casting doubt on their ability to repeat as AL Central champions.
