MINNEAPOLIS, MN (WKZO AM/FM) – The Detroit Tigers dropped both ends of a doubleheader at Minnesota on Friday as they were beaten by the Twins 2-0 in the first game and 3-2 in eight innings in the nightcap.
Marwin Gonzalez singled home Willians Astudillo in the eighth inning of the second game as Minnesota rallied for the doubleheader sweep. Astudillo started on second base with the eighth inning considered an extra inning due to the seven-inning doubleheader rule. Gonzalez hit a grounder up the middle and Detroit center fielder Derek Hill, making his major league debut, bobbled the ball, allowing Astudillo to score easily. Sergio Romo (1-1) pitched a perfect seventh and Trevor May picked up his second save in four chances as Minnesota won its fourth straight game. Joe Jimenez (1-3) allowed Gonzalez’s hit to take the loss after Gregory Soto blew a save in the seventh.
In the opener, Polanco and Josh Donaldson hit back-to-back homers to lead off the bottom of the first inning, and Randy Dobnak (6-2) bounced back with five scoreless innings. Matt Boyd (1-5) allowed consecutive leadoff homers for the third time in less than a month. He also gave up back-to-back home runs to the Chicago White Sox to start games Aug. 12 and 17.
The Tigers take on the Twins again tonight in Minneapolis. The Tigers will turn to hard-throwing Tarik Skubal (1-1, 6.75 ERA). Minnesota will counter with right-hander Kenta Maeda (4-1, 2.53 ERA).
