Ohtani, Freeman Solo HRs Enough As Dodgers top Twins 2-1

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By Troy Geary

Geary Sports & Entertainment Network

Minneapolis:

The Minnesota Twins have been playing inspired baseball over the past two weeks. In their last 10 games, they are 7-3 and return home to play the defending World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers. The Twins (38-41) are just 3.5 games back in the Central Division at the moment. While most national media wrote them off at the beginning of the season and at times recently, the Twins are certainly not paying attention and look to prove the naysayers wrong. As the season enters the halfway point, the next month will determine what the front office thinks of this team's chances. If they continue to win series, the trade deadline will become interesting. Will the team become buyers instead of sellers? Time will tell. While the Los Angeles Dodgers are 20 games over .500, they have still had stretches of struggles and have battled injuries to key players. They have leaned on their organizational depth to overcome some of that.

Today, the Twins start Zebby Matthews (3-4, 4.78 ERA). Matthews is coming off a quality start on June 16 against Texas. He pitched seven innings, allowing two runs on eight hits with no walks while striking out four batters in a 12-2 Twins win for his third victory of the season. The Dodgers counter with RHP Will Klein (2-2, 5.24 ERA). Dodgers Manager Dave Roberts told me and other media members pregame that it would be a bullpen game, with LHP Eric Lauer to follow Klein. Can the Twins steal a few games from the defending champions? We will soon find out.

The Dodgers wasted no time in the top of the first inning taking an early lead. Designated hitter Shohei Ohtani hit a 1-0 belt-high changeup 415 feet to right field to lead off the game, and it quickly was 1-0. Matthews then recomposed himself and got center fielder Andy Pages to fly out to right field. First baseman Freddie Freeman then struck out for the second out. Shortstop Mookie Betts then flew out to center to end the top of the first inning.

The Twins answered in the bottom of the first inning with their best player. After left fielder Trevor Larnach had a 10-pitch at-bat that ended in a strikeout, center fielder Byron Buxton tied the game on a 2-1 fastball that he hit 395 feet to the left-center-field bleachers to make it 1-1. Pregame, I asked Dodgers Manager Dave Roberts what makes him so dangerous, and that was exactly what he feared. It was Buxton's 25th home run of the season. Buxton is also currently third in AL outfielder All-Star voting, and if he remains in the top three, he will be starting next month in Philadelphia.

Klein then retired right fielder Kody Clemens on a strikeout for the second out. Designated hitter Josh Bell then walked. First baseman Royce Lewis singled to left field, and the Twins had runners on first and second with two outs. But Klein got catcher Victor Caratini to ground out to shortstop to end the first inning.

The Dodgers threatened in the top of the second but failed to score. Third baseman Max Muncy led off the inning and struck out. Right fielder Kyle Tucker, who signed a huge free-agent deal with the Dodgers in the offseason, walked. Tucker has been struggling this season, hitting just .234. Second baseman Tommy Edman then singled to right field. The Dodgers had runners on first and second with one out. Catcher Dalton Rushing then flew out.

Dodgers third base coach Dino Ebel noticed Tucker walking back to second base gingerly, and he was removed from the game with what was later announced as lower back spasms. Alex Call came into the game and replaced Tucker as a pinch runner at second base. But left fielder Ryan Ward failed to give the Dodgers the lead and flew out to left field to end the top of the second inning.

The Dodgers then turned to LHP Eric Lauer. Lauer, claimed off waivers from the Toronto Blue Jays last month, gave up seven earned runs against the Twins in one inning of work on April 7. Lauer, though, made quick work of the Twins in the bottom of the second inning. He got third baseman Brooks Lee to ground out to shortstop. Second baseman Luke Keaschall also grounded out to short. Shortstop Ryan Kreidler fouled out to shortstop Mookie Betts to end the bottom of the second inning.

Matthews retired the Dodgers in order in the top of the third inning, getting Ohtani to ground out to first, Andy Pages to fly out to left, and Freddie Freeman to fly out to center. Lauer did the same in the bottom of the third inning. Austin Martin pinch-hit for Trevor Larnach, who was apparently injured in the previous at-bat when he fouled a pitch off his foot. Martin then grounded out to second base. Lauer then got Buxton to ground out to short before retiring Clemens on a ground ball to second base to end the inning.

The Dodgers again tried to retake the lead, but Matthews battled back to keep them scoreless in the top of the fourth inning. After getting two quick outs, Alex Call, in the game for the injured Tucker, singled to center. Edman then singled to right field for his second hit of the game.

The injuries for the Dodgers continued to pile up, as Dalton Rushing also left the game to be evaluated for a possible concussion. Chuckie Robinson replaced him and struck out to end the top of the fourth inning, and the game remained tied 1-1.

The Twins got a leadoff walk by Bell in the bottom of the fourth inning but couldn't get anything else going. Lewis flew out to center, Caratini then struck out for the second out, and Lee grounded out to third to end the inning.

Matthews seemed to get more comfortable as the game progressed, retiring the Dodgers in order in the top of the fifth inning, getting Ohtani to ground out to first, Pages to fly out to center, and Ward to fly out to left. Lauer matched Matthews in the bottom of the fifth inning, allowing only a two-out walk to Martin. But he got Buxton to line out to the warning track in left to end the inning.

The Dodgers broke through to take the lead in the top of the sixth inning. Freddie Freeman led off, hitting a 2-0 fastball 425 feet to center field to give the Dodgers a 2-1 lead. It was his 13th home run of the season and his third in the last eight games. Matthews then regrouped and got out of the inning.

Lauer continued to be dialed in during the bottom of the sixth inning. Clemens led off with a walk, but Lauer got the next three Twins in order to end the inning with the score remaining 2-1.

The Twins then turned to their bullpen in the top of the seventh. Taylor Rogers came in, and Matthews' night was done. Matthews' final line was six innings pitched, allowing two runs on six hits while walking two and striking out five batters.

Miguel Rojas led off by pinch-hitting for Ryan Ward and singled to left. But Ohtani hit a ball right at Keaschall at second base, and he made a great play to start a 4-6-3 double play. Pages then flew out to center to end the inning.

Lauer came back out for the Dodgers and got the Twins in order yet again to end the bottom of the seventh inning.

Rogers got Freeman to strike out to start the top of the eighth inning. Twins Manager Derek Shelton then went with RHP Eric Orze. Orze got Betts to ground out too short for the second out of the inning. Muncy then doubled off the wall in right-center field. But Orze got Call to strike out to end the inning.

The Twins tried to tie the game in the bottom of the eighth inning. Martin led off with a single to left. Buxton then came to the plate trying to give the Twins the lead, but he struck out. Clemens then hit into a fielder's choice to second for the force out. Bell then hit a hard-line drive that Call dove to catch to end the threat.

RHP Andrew Morris came on for the Twins in the top of the ninth inning. After getting two quick outs, pinch hitter Alex Freeland singled to left. The Twins then intentionally walked Ohtani to put runners on first and second. But Morris got Pages to strike out to end the top of the ninth.

The Twins tried to tie the game or walk it off in the bottom of the ninth inning. Dodgers closer Tanner Scott came into the game to try to close it out. Lewis flew out to center for the first out. Caratini then lined out to right. The Twins' last hope was in the bat of Brooks Lee. Lee hit a 3-2 pitch hard to third base, but Muncy made a great play and threw him out to end the game and give the Dodgers a 2-1 victory in Game 1 of the three-game series.

Tanner Scott earned his 10th save of the season. Eric Lauer got the win for the Dodgers and improved to 3-5 on the season. Zebby Matthews received the loss despite pitching another good game for the Twins and fell to 3-5 on the year.

The Twins look to bounce back Tuesday when Joe Ryan (5-3, 2.99 ERA) takes the mound, while the Dodgers send LHP Justin Wrobleski (8-2, 2.72 ERA).

(Update) Joe Ryan has been scratched from his start with an illness. Starter is TBA.

Detroit:

By Troy Geary

Geary Sports & Entertainment Network

The Minnesota Twins look to win today and the series in Detroit vs. the Tigers. Pitching for the Twins today is Zebby Matthews. Matthews is 2-3 with a 4.15 ERA on the year. In his last start, he pitched 7 innings, allowing 2 runs on 5 hits while walking 4 batters and striking out 2 in a 5-3 win over Kansas City on June 5th. In starts when he hasn't allowed a home run, he is 2-0. When allowing a home run, he is 0-3 this season. The Tigers start Keider Montero, 2-4 with a 3.95 ERA. In his last start, he pitched 5 innings, allowing 4 runs on 6 hits, with 1 walk and 1 strikeout in a 4-0 loss to Seattle on June 6th.

The Twins bullpen came up big in yesterday's 6-4 win. Not counting Mike Paredes' start, they went 6 innings, allowing 3 runs on 5 hits while walking 4 and striking out 10 batters. Coming into the game, they were 28th in bullpen ERA (4.95) and had 22 blown-lead losses, the most in the Majors. Twins Manager Derek Shelton, a big analytics guy, is still using the matchup approach versus giving guys roles. He has stated that when guys are more consistent, that might change.

The Twins went down in order in the top of the first inning. Trevor Larnach popped out to third, then Byron Buxton popped out to first. Kody Clemens then struck out to end the top of the first inning, as Montero only needed 8 pitches to retire the Twins. The Tigers took an early lead in the bottom of the first inning. Kevin McGonigle, a front-runner for AL Rookie of the Year, led off with a double to left field that hit the top of the wall and missed a home run by inches. Gleyber Torres then flied out to right field, and McGonigle tagged up and advanced to third base with one out. Riley Greene then hit a sacrifice fly to center field, scoring McGonigle to make it 1-0. Kerry Carpenter then flied out to center to end the bottom of the first inning.

Montero looked sharp and was working fast on a humid day in the top of the second inning. He only allowed a two-out single to Royce Lewis. Matthews bounced back in the bottom of the second inning, retiring the Tigers in order, including striking out Spencer Torkelson.

Both teams failed to do anything in the third inning, as the game was moving quickly on a hot, humid day in Detroit.

The Twins tried to tie the game in the top of the fourth inning. Josh Bell hit a one-out single to shallow center field. Lee then flied out to short before Lewis struck out to end the top of the fourth inning. The Tigers added to their lead in the bottom of the fourth inning. Dillon Dingler, who has been red hot this series vs. the Twins, hit a one-out double to left-center. After a line drive and a great diving catch by Austin Martin on a ball hit by Carpenter, Colt Keith hit an RBI single to make it 2-0. Spencer Torkelson then hit a 2-1 curveball 370 feet to the bleachers in left to make it 4-0. It was his 10th home run of the season.

The Twins' bats continued to struggle in the top of the fifth inning. After a leadoff walk by Victor Caratini, Montero retired the side in order. He was getting the Twins to swing on a lot of first pitches, which resulted in quick outs. The Tigers added another run to their lead in the bottom of the fifth inning. Gleyber Torres led off the inning, hitting a 3-0 fastball 370 feet to right field for a 5-0 Tigers lead. Matthews, record-wise, lives and dies by the long ball. As previously mentioned, he is 2-0 without allowing a home run and 0-3 when allowing a home run.

Montero continued to pitch well in the top of the sixth inning, getting the Twins in order. The Tigers put the game out of reach in the bottom of the sixth inning. Matthews allowed a leadoff single to Carpenter before Colt Keith hit his first home run of the season, a two-run blast 420 feet to right-center for a 7-0 Tigers lead.

The Twins tried to get on the board in the top of the seventh but were unable to score. Lewis hit a one-out single to right, his second of the game. Caratini then singled with one out. The Tigers then went to their bullpen, bringing in LHP Tyler Holton. The Twins then brought up pinch-hitter Ryan Kreidler for Tristan Gray. But Kreidler grounded out to the pitcher for the second out. The runners advanced to second and third with two outs. Martin then struck out to end the top of the seventh inning. Montero's final line was 6.1 innings pitched. He allowed just 4 hits and only 1 walk while striking out 4 batters. The Twins then brought in reliever Cody Laweryson in the bottom of the seventh inning. Matthews' final line was 6 innings pitched. He allowed 9 hits, giving up 7 earned runs while walking 1 and striking out 4. Laweryson got Torres to ground out to second to start the inning. But the Tigers hit their fourth home run of the game. This time it was Riley Greene, a solo shot to right field to make it 8-0. Laweryson then settled down and got out of the inning.


The Twins' bats went silent again in the top of the eighth, going down in order for the fourth time of the game. The Twins then brought catcher Alex Jackson in to pitch to save bullpen arms. It wasn't pretty, as the Tigers were teeing off. McKinstry hit the Tigers' fifth home run of the game, a 53-mph slider from Jackson into the bleachers in right field. Rogers then walked on four pitches. The Tigers then emptied the bench. Wenceel Pérez pinch-hit for McGonigle. Pérez blasted the Tigers' sixth home run of the game, a 400-foot, two-run home run to left-center for an 11-0 Tigers lead.

The Tigers finished off the Twins in the top of the ninth, getting them in order for the fifth time in the game.

The Twins return to Target Field Friday for a three-game series vs. the St. Louis Cardinals. Scheduled to pitch for the Twins is Joe Ryan, 4-3 with a 3.07 ERA, while the Cardinals go with Kyle Leahy, 5-3 with a 4.42 ERA, taking the mound. :::

Detroit:

By Troy Geary

Geary Sports & Entertainment Network

The Minnesota Twins lost a home run derby last night, 10-4, snapping their five-game winning streak over the Tigers. Tonight, they are going with a "bullpen day" for the fourth time this season, with a record of 2-1 in those past three instances. Rookie RHP Mike Paredes takes the mound tonight for the Twins, and they hope they can get four innings of quality pitching from him. The Tigers send LHP Framber Valdez to the hill. He is 3-4 with a 4.21 ERA on the season. Valdez started the season slowly, which included a five-game suspension for throwing at Boston Red Sox shortstop Trevor Story after allowing back-to-back home runs in a start on May 5th. In his last start vs. Seattle on June 5th, he went five innings, allowing one run while striking out five batters. In his last start vs. Minnesota on April 8th, he allowed eight runs on 10 hits in five innings while striking out two batters. The Twins hope to find that success against him again tonight.

The Twins went down in order in the top of the first inning. Valdez struck out Austin Martin to start the game. Byron Buxton then walked. But Brooks Lee hit a ground ball directly behind second base that Gleyber Torres snagged, stepped on second base, and threw to first for the double play to end the top of the first inning. Then the skies opened up over Comerica Park for the second straight night. After a 1-hour and 7-minute rain delay, play resumed. The long delay didn't seem to affect Twins starter Mike Paredes. He got Kevin McGonigle to fly out to third to start the bottom of the first inning. His sweeper was on point, striking out Torres and Kerry Carpenter to end the bottom of the first inning.

Royce Lewis gave the Twins an early lead in the top of the second inning. Lewis hit a 3-1 sinker 445 feet to left-center with two outs to give the Twins a 1-0 lead, his fourth home run of the season. It was the team's fifth solo home run of the series in 11 innings. Luke Keaschall then struck out to end the top of the second inning. Paredes continued to look sharp in the bottom of the second inning, only allowing a two-out walk to Spencer Torkelson before getting Colt Keith to fly out to end the inning.

The Twins threatened in the top of the third inning but were unable to score. Ryan Kreidler led off with a single to center. Alex Jackson laid down a perfectly placed bunt for a single. With runners on first and second and no outs, Martin hit a chopper over the mound, and Torres' play was only to first, getting Martin for the first out as the runners moved up to second and third base. Buxton then hit a ball to third base that was snagged by McGonigle behind third base, and he made a great throw home, getting Kreidler for the second out. Lee then walked to load the bases. Orlando Arcia was looking to break the game open for the Twins but popped out in foul territory to Torkelson at first to end the top of the third inning. The Tigers tied the game in the bottom of the third inning. Paredes got two quick outs before walking McGonigle. Torres then hit an RBI double to right-center that Buxton dived for and couldn't come up with, scoring McGonigle. Carpenter was then hit by a pitch, putting runners on first and second with two outs for Dillon Dingler. Dingler, who had two home runs and four RBI in the opening game of the series, flied out to center to end the third inning with the score tied 1-1.

Valdez had his best inning in the top of the fourth inning, allowing just a two-out single to Keaschall before getting Kreidler to ground out to third to end the top of the fourth inning. Twins Manager Derek Shelton then went with LHP Taylor Rogers in the bottom of the fourth inning. He struck out the first two batters before getting a ground ball to first base to end the bottom of the fourth inning.

The Twins regained the lead in the top of the fifth inning on another home run. Jackson was hit by a pitch to start the inning. Then Valdez hit Martin as well. With runners on first and second and no outs, Buxton stepped to the plate. He hit a first-pitch changeup 415 feet to left-center, and the Twins had a 4-1 lead. It was his 20th home run of the season and second of the series. It was also his ninth home run in 21 road games this season. Lee then singled to left. But Arcia hit into a 5-4-3 double play, and Josh Bell lined out to first to end the top of the fifth inning. The Tigers answered in the bottom of the fifth inning as Andrew Morris entered the game for the Twins. Zach McKinstry led off with a single to right field. With one out, McGonigle walked for the second straight plate appearance. With runners on first and second and one out, Torres singled to left field, scoring McKinstry to make it 4-2. Carpenter then hit an RBI single to right field, scoring McGonigle to make it 4-3. Morris then found the zone, striking out Dingler and Riley Greene to end the bottom of the fifth inning.

The Tigers went to the bullpen in the top of the sixth inning, bringing in Brenan Hanifee. Valdez finished his outing with five innings pitched, allowing four runs on six hits while walking two and striking out two batters. After getting two quick outs, the Twins called on Kody Clemens to pinch-hit for Kreidler. Clemens then hit a double to the right-field corner. Jackson couldn't get him home, though, grounding out to shortstop to end the top of the sixth inning, and the score remained 4-3. Travis Adams came on in the bottom of the sixth inning, the Twins' fourth pitcher of the game. He retired the Tigers in order, striking out Torkelson and McKinstry and getting Keith to line out to right field.

The Twins added some insurance runs in the top of the seventh inning. Martin led off with a walk. Buxton then singled to left field. With no outs, Lee hit into a fielder's choice, with the Tigers getting the out at second base. Arcia then struck out for the second out of the inning. Bell then delivered an RBI single to center, scoring Martin to make it 5-3. Lewis then walked, and the bases were loaded with two outs. With Keaschall at the plate, a wild pitch went to the backstop, and Lee raced home to make it 6-3 Twins. Keaschall then flied out to right field to end the top of the seventh inning. The Tigers tried to get back into the game in the bottom of the seventh inning. Adams struck out pinch-hitter Wenceel Perez to lead off the inning. After McGonigle walked for the third time in the game, Shelton brought in Anthony Banda. Torres then singled to left field. Matt Vierling then pinch-hit for Carpenter and flied out to first for the second out. Banda then got Dingler to strike out to end the bottom of the seventh inning, and the score remained 6-3.

The Twins again had a chance to extend their lead in the top of the eighth inning. With one out, Jackson singled to right. Martin then singled to left. But Buxton hit into a 5-3 double play, as McGonigle stepped on third base for the force out and threw to first for the out. Banda came back out for the bottom of the eighth inning and, after allowing a leadoff walk to Greene, retired the next three batters, and the game remained 6-3 going to the ninth inning.

The Twins tried to get a little breathing room in the top of the ninth inning. Lee led off with a walk. Arcia then singled to right. But Bell lined out to Torkelson at first base, who then fired to second to double off Lee for the second out. Lewis then flied out to right field to end the top of the ninth inning. Yoendrys Gómez came in to save the game for the Twins. Perez led off with a single to right. With one out, Torres walked. Vierling then flied out for the second out. But Dingler singled to left, scoring Perez to make it 6-4. Gómez then got Greene to strike out to end the game, giving the Twins the 6-4 victory.

Taylor Rogers got the win; he is now 2-3. Valdez took the loss for the Tigers; he is now 3-5. Gómez earned his fifth save of the season.

The series concludes tomorrow at 12:10 p.m. Central. The Twins will start Zebby Matthews, 2-3, 4.15 ERA, while the Tigers go with Keider Montero, 2-4, 3.95 ERA. :::

Detroit:

By Troy Geary 

Geary Sports & Entertainment Network

The Twins and Tigers are very similar in 2026. Both have had injuries to key players, a struggling bullpen, and inconsistent hitting. (Check out my National Story on the Tigers under that tab.) For the Tigers, in the last few years, that's unfamiliar territory. Tied for last place at 27-39 with the Kansas City Royals, they have played well of late, winning five of their last six games. The Twins, coming off a seven-game homestand, went 3-4 during that stretch. They look to get back to winning baseball as they have a quick three-game road trip in Detroit before returning to Target Field Friday for a weekend series vs. the St. Louis Cardinals.

The Twins start Taj Bradley (5-2, 3.56 ERA) in game one of this three-game series. In his last start, June 3rd vs. the White Sox at Target Field, he allowed four runs on seven hits while allowing five walks and striking out five batters. He took the loss as the Twins lost 8-0. In his April 7th start vs. the Tigers at home, he earned the win, pitching 6.1 innings, allowing just one run with no walks allowed and striking out a season-high 10. The Tigers counter with RHP Troy Melton. Melton is 2-0 with a 1.74 ERA in three starts this season. He had his best start in his young major league career in his last start vs. Tampa Bay. Melton allowed two runs on four hits, with two walks and five strikeouts in eight innings pitched. It was the longest start by a Tigers pitcher this season.

The Twins got an early lead in the top of the first inning. Center Fielder Byron Buxton hit the first pitch 430 feet to center to make it 1-0. It was Buxton's 19th home run of the season and the sixth time this season he has led off with a homer. Melton then settled down, getting the next three Twins to end the top of the first. The Tigers tied the game up in the bottom of the first inning. Second Baseman Gleyber Torres led off with a strikeout, and Third Baseman Kevin McGonigle popped out to third. Then Catcher Dillon Dingler hit a 1-2 pitch 390 feet down the left-field line that glanced off the foul pole to make it 1-1. Bradley then got Right Fielder Kerry Carpenter to fly out to center to end the first inning.

In the top of the second inning, the Twins tried to retake the lead. Left Fielder Trevor Larnach, leading off, was hit by a pitch. After a fielder's choice on a ground ball hit by Catcher Victor Caratini, First Baseman Royce Lewis singled to right. With runners on first and second with one out, Second Baseman Luke Keaschall singled to right to load the bases with one out. But Melton struck out Shortstop Tristan Gray and Buxton to end the Twins' threat in the top of the second inning. The Tigers retook the lead in the bottom of the second inning with another solo home run. Left Fielder Riley Greene hit a 0-1 fastball 375 feet to right, and the score was 2-1. First Baseman Spencer Torkelson then singled to right. Bradley then got Designated Hitter Colt Keith to fly out to center and Center Fielder Matt Vierling to fly out to right. With two outs, Shortstop Zach McKinstry then walked. Torres, trying to add to the Tigers' lead, grounded one back to Bradley, who threw to first to end the second inning.

The Twins tied the game in the top of the third inning on another solo home run. With two outs, Josh Bell hit a 2-1 pitch to right field 375 feet. It was the 7th home run of the season for Bell and the 200th of his career. It wasn't tied for long. In the bottom of the third inning, the Tigers retook the lead again. McGonigle led off with a walk. Dingler then singled to center. With runners on first and third with no outs, Carpenter struck out. But Greene hit a sacrifice fly to left, his second RBI of the game, and it was 3-2. Torkelson popped out in foul territory to Caratini to end the third inning.

In the top of the fourth inning, the Twins weren't able to do anything against Melton. Bradley seemed to have an issue with his footing all night. After a 1-hour and 51-minute rain delay, he had trouble with control as well. Keith led off with a walk. Bradley battled back to get Vierling to fly out to center. But McKinstry singled to right. Torres then struck out for the second time in the game. McGonigle then lined out to end the fourth.

In a back-and-forth game, the Twins retook the lead once again in the top of the fifth inning. No surprise, it was on two solo home runs. Brooks Lee hit a 1-0 slider 365 feet into the bleachers in right field to make it 3-3. Then, on the next pitch, Kody Clemens gave the Twins a lead, hitting the Twins' fourth solo home run of the game 350 feet to right field for the 4-3 lead. Melton then struck out Bell and Larnach to end the top of the fifth. The lead was short-lived as the Tigers jumped back in front in the bottom of the fifth inning. Dingler led off with a double, his third hit of the game. Kerry Carpenter then hit a 1-0 cutter 365 feet to the bleachers in right field for a 5-4 Tigers lead. That was the end of the night for Taj Bradley. The Twins went to their bullpen and brought in Eric Orze. Orze retired the Tigers in order to end the fifth inning. Bradley's final line for the Twins was 4.1 innings pitched. He allowed 5 earned runs while walking 3 and striking out 3 batters.

The Tigers turned to their bullpen in the top of the sixth inning, bringing in Brenan Hanifee. With one out, Lewis doubled to shallow right-center. Keaschall was then hit by a pitch. Tigers Manager A.J. Hinch then went to Drew Anderson. Anderson then struck out Gray and Buxton to end the Twins' threat, and the score remained 5-4 Tigers. In the bottom of the sixth, the Tigers added to their lead. With one out, McKinstry tripled to the gap in right-center. The Twins then brought in LHP Taylor Rogers. Torres was then hit by a pitch to put runners on first and third with one out. Rogers then got McGonigle to strike out. But Tuesday night belonged to Dillon Dingler. Dingler hit a 0-2 sweeper from Rogers down the left-field line that just cleared the wall for his second home run of the game, and it gave the Tigers an 8-4 lead. It was Dingler's 17th home run of the season and second career multi-homer game of his career. Rogers got Carpenter to fly out to center to end the bottom of the sixth inning, but the damage was done.

The Twins tried to chip away at the deficit in the top of the seventh inning. Lee led off with a walk. Clemens struck out. Bell then singled to left. Austin Martin was then called upon to pinch-hit for Larnach and was hit by a pitch to load the bases with one out. The Tigers then brought in Kyle Finnegan. He struck out Caratini for the second out of the inning. Lewis stepped to the plate trying to tie the game. With six career grand slams, he was trying to make it seven. But he hit a fly ball to left field that was caught on the warning track to end the top of the seventh inning, and the Twins stranded three more baserunners. Shelton brought in Justin Lawrence in the bottom of the seventh inning. Greene led off with a walk. Then Torkelson walked as well. With runners on first and second with no outs, Keith struck out. Wenceel Perez then pinch-hit for Vierling and flied out to left for the second out. Lawrence then walked McKinstry to load the bases. Torres then hit a 2-run single to left, scoring Greene and Torkelson, and the Tigers increased their lead to 10-4.

Finnegan came back out for the Tigers in the top of the eighth inning. After allowing a leadoff walk to Keaschall, he got Gray and Buxton to strike out. Lee then flied out to left to end the top of the eighth inning. The Twins then brought their fifth pitcher into the game, Cody Laweryson. He did his job, retiring the Tigers in order.

The Twins needed a huge rally in the ninth to try to extend the game. Ryan Kreidler led off, pinch-hitting for Clemens. But he grounded out to short for the first out. Bell then grounded out to third for the second out. The Twins' last hope to extend the game was with Martin. He walked to extend the inning. Caratini then flied out to end the game as the Twins fell to the Tigers 10-4.

The Twins left 11 runners on base.

They try to bounce back tomorrow. The Twins' starter is TBA vs. Framber Valdez, 3-4, 4.21 ERA, for the Tigers. Game time is 5:40 PM Central.

Minneapolis:

By Troy Geary

Geary Sports & Entertainment Network

The Minnesota Twins try to end their current 7-game homestand on a winning note. Despite losing last night to the Royals 4-3, a win today will give them a split of the series and a record of 4-3 on the homestand. Division games are always important to win, especially since they go to Detroit for three games after a day off tomorrow. We will have complete coverage on the road from Detroit starting on Tuesday.

The Twins, on Toy Story 5 Day at Target Field, start LHP Connor Prielipp. Prielipp picked up his 2nd win of the season June 2nd vs. the White Sox. He allowed 4 runs over 6 innings pitched while striking out 7 batters. Royals starter Noah Cameron pitched a no-decision, allowing 1 run in 7 innings pitched. The Royals are also looking to win 3 out of 4 vs. the Twins, and at 26-39, they need to start stacking wins if they want any shot at the division.

The Royals went down quietly in the top of the first inning. Prielipp worked quickly and retired the Royals in order. Cameron came out in the bottom of the first inning and matched him, as the Twins went down in order.

The Royals couldn't do much in the top of the second inning. Prielipp allowed a one-out single to Nick Loftin but got Isaac Collins and Carter Jensen to end the top of the second inning. The Twins scored the first run of the game in the bottom of the second inning. Kody Clemens led off with a single to right field. With one out, Royce Lewis hit a grounder that Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. didn't come up with, and runners were at first and second. Ryan Kreidler then hit into a fielder's choice, as the Royals got the force out at second base for the second out. Luke Keaschall then hit a single to left field, scoring Clemens to make it 1-0. Alex Jackson then flied out to left field to end the inning.

Prielipp then struck out the side in the top of the third inning, his best of the game. Cameron got the Twins in order as well in the bottom of the third inning, and the game was moving right along.

The Royals retook the lead in the top of the fourth inning. After Prielipp got the first two batters, Vinnie Pasquantino doubled to the gap in left-center. Then Nick Loftin got his second hit of the game, this time an RBI double down the right-field line to make it 2-1. Collins then grounded out to third base to end the top of the fourth inning. The Twins failed to answer in the bottom of the fourth inning. Cameron settled in and only allowed a one-out single by Lewis.

The Royals added to their lead in the top of the fifth inning. Jensen led off with a single to right field. Tyler Tolbert then struck out. Lane Thomas then singled to right field. Twins Manager Derek Shelton then went to the bullpen and brought in Andrew Morris. With runners on first and third, Maikel Garcia hit an RBI single to right field, scoring Jensen to make it 3-1. Starling Marte then hit a 3-1 sinker 440 feet to dead center to make it 5-1 Royals. Pasquantino struck out to end the top of the fifth inning, but the damage was done. Cameron had his best inning in the bottom of the fifth, striking out the side.

Prielipp's final line was 4.1 innings pitched, allowing 2 earned runs while striking out 7 batters.

Morris retired the Royals in order in the top of the sixth inning, which included two strikeouts. The Twins again couldn't get anything going against Cameron in the bottom of the sixth inning, going down in order.

The Twins then turned to reliever Cody Laweryson in the top of the seventh inning. He did his job, striking out two batters and retiring the side in order. The Royals then went to their bullpen in the bottom of the seventh inning, bringing in John Schreiber. He got the Twins in order, the fourth time in the game they did just that.

The Royals added an insurance run in the top of the eighth inning. With one out, Pasquantino singled to left field. Loftin then walked. Collins also walked to load the bases. Jensen then hit a sacrifice fly to left, scoring Pasquantino to make it 6-1. Laweryson struck out Tolbert to end the top of the eighth inning. The Twins then went down in order, their fifth time in the game, which was a season high.

The Twins brought in Justin Lawrence in the top of the ninth inning. He retired the Royals in order, and the game went to the bottom of the ninth with the score 6-1 Royals. The Royals went with rookie Beck Way to close out the game. He made his MLB debut Friday vs. the Twins. Arcia led off with a walk. Then Clemens singled to left field. Josh Bell then made things interesting, hitting a 1-0 cutter 440 feet to the right-field concourse to make it 6-4. After a groundout by Lewis, Trevor Larnach doubled down the left-field line. The Royals manager then brought in Lucas Erceg to try to get the last two outs and the series win. Keaschall then lined out to center for the second out. Victor Caratini then pinch-hit for Alex Jackson. Caratini delivered an RBI single to center to make it 6-5. Tristan Gray then pinch-hit for Austin Martin, trying to tie the game. Gray singled to left field, and the tying run was on second and the game-winning run on first. Brooks Lee then came to the plate. But Lee flied out to end the game, and the comeback fell short as the Royals won 3 out of 4 games in Minneapolis.

The Twins are off Monday and begin a 3-game road trip Tuesday in Detroit against the Tigers. Geary Sports & Entertainment will be there, so follow all the action we provide!

Minneapolis:

By Troy Geary

Geary Sports & Entertainment Network

The Minnesota Twins look to bounce back after suffering an 8-6 loss to the Kansas City Royals last night on Prince Night at Target Field. In typical Prince fashion, the game was halted 1 hour and 7 minutes due to rain and lightning. As the Twins grounds crew was putting on the tarp, "Purple Rain" rang out from the loudspeakers. The bullpen did well, despite Twins reliever Taylor Rodgers taking the loss, as the Royals scored two runs in the ninth to take game one of a four-game series. Rookie Mike Paredes pitched well in 3.2 innings of relief, and that will help save some arms for the rest of the series.

We saw Twins starting pitcher tonight, Zebby Mathews, last weekend in Pittsburgh. After starting 1-0, he has lost his last three starts. He looks to get back on track and in the win column tonight. Royals starting pitcher Michael Wacha is on the mound tonight. He has become a fan favorite in Kansas City, as the fans shout, "Wacha, Wacha, Wacha" after every strikeout from Fozzie Bear and the Muppets. In his last start, he suffered the loss in Texas, allowing a season-high six earned runs in five innings of work. He also looks to get back on track tonight as well.

Before the first pitch at 7:10 p.m., the game was delayed by rain and lightning in the area for the second straight day. After a 1-hour and 20-minute delay, the game got started at 8:30 p.m. The Twins wore their City Connect jerseys Friday night.

The delay didn't affect the Royals in the top of the first inning. With one out, shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. walked. After Witt Jr. stole second base, first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino doubled to the gap in right-center, scoring Witt Jr. to make it 1-0 Royals. With two outs, right fielder Jac Caglianone doubled as well off the wall in right-center field, scoring Pasquantino, making it 2-0. Matthews then got left fielder and Minnesota native Isaac Collins to strike out to end the top of the first inning. The Twins hit the ball hard in the bottom of the first inning, but two great stops by Royals second baseman Michael Massey led to outs. With two outs, center fielder Kody Clemens singled to right. Designated hitter Josh Bell flied out to center field to end the bottom of the first, and the Twins were held scoreless.

Matthews looked to put together a clean inning in the top of the second. After allowing a one-out walk to third baseman Nick Loftin, he got center fielder Kyle Isbel to ground into an inning-ending 4-6-3 double play. The Twins failed to score in the bottom of the second inning despite getting good looks at Wacha. Shortstop Orlando Arcia hit a sharp line drive to right field for the first out. After a Luke Keaschall strikeout, right fielder Austin Martin, who has been struggling, hit a double down the line. Left fielder Ryan Kreidler couldn't get the run home as he flied out to left field to end the bottom of the second inning.

The Twins had a scare in the top of the third inning. Royals designated hitter Carter Jensen hit a deep fly ball that Twins center fielder Byron Buxton chased down before slamming into the wall. He was down for a few minutes before slowly getting up. After being checked out, he stayed in the game and got a big cheer from the home crowd. Matthews retired the Royals in order, and the game remained 2-0. The Twins tried to get something going in the bottom of the third inning. Catcher Alex Jackson led off with a single to left. The Twins called on Tristan Gray to pinch-hit for Buxton. We will have more information on Buxton later. Gray laid down a bunt that was placed perfectly, and the throw by Wacha was wide of first base. Jackson advanced to third on the play, and the Twins had runners on first and third with no outs. Lee then hit into a fielder's choice, as Jackson scored to make it 2-1. Clemens then lined out to center field, and Bell popped out to third base to end the third inning.

The Royals threatened in the top of the fourth inning but failed to score on a great defensive play by Austin Martin, who was now playing right field. With one out, Caglianone walked. Collins then singled to center. Massey then singled to right field. Martin came up throwing and nailed Caglianone at the plate for the second out. Loftin then grounded out to third base, and Matthews escaped without allowing a run. Wacha worked quickly, getting the Twins in order in the bottom of the fourth inning while throwing only 40 pitches through the first four innings.

Matthews put his best inning together of the night in the top of the fifth inning, retiring the Royals in order, including striking out Witt Jr. to end the inning. Wacha put together his second straight inning, retiring the Twins in order in the bottom of the fifth inning, and the score remained 2-1 Royals.

Matthews started to get into a groove. He worked quickly and only needed nine pitches to get through the top of the sixth, retiring the Royals in order for the second straight inning. The Twins took the lead in the bottom of the sixth inning. Brooks Lee hit the first pitch from Wacha into the right-field seats to tie the game at 2-2. It traveled 380 feet and was his ninth home run of the season. Clemens then got his second hit of the night, a double down the right-field line. Bell then hit an RBI double of his own down the left-field line, scoring Clemens to make it 3-2. Still with no outs, Arcia blooped a ball to right field that Caglianone couldn't come up with. Throwing the ball in, he sailed the cutoff man at second base, and the ball got away. Bell then raced home to make it 4-2 Twins. Arcia advanced to third base on the first wild pitch of the inning for Wacha. Keaschall then lined out to left for the first out of the inning. But the Twins added to their lead on another wild pitch by Wacha, scoring Arcia to make it 5-2. After Royals manager Matt Quatraro came out to talk to Wacha, he got Martin to ground out to shortstop Witt Jr., who made a great diving play and threw him out at first base. Kreidler then struck out to end the bottom of the sixth inning.

Matthews was back out there on the mound for the Twins in the top of the seventh. But he walked Collins to start the inning. He battled back to get Massey to fly out to right field. Then Loftin hit a ball to the hole at third. Lee made a diving stop and came up firing to first base, getting him by half a step for the second out. Collins advanced to second on the play. Austin Martin then made his second great defensive play of the game. Isbel singled to right field, and Martin threw a perfect throw home to nail Collins at the plate, and the game remained 5-3 Twins. The Royals then went to their bullpen and brought on Steven Cruz.

Wacha finished his outing pitching six innings, allowing four earned runs while striking out two batters. Cruz allowed a one-out double down the line by Gray, but got Lee to line out to second before striking out Clemens to end the bottom of the seventh inning. The Twins went to reliever Anthony Banda in the top of the eighth inning.

Matthews pitched well, getting a quality start. His final line was seven innings pitched. He allowed two earned runs while walking four and striking out two batters.

Banda got pinch hitter Starling Marte to strike out to start the top of the eighth inning. Then Witt Jr. hit a double off the right-center field wall with one out. The Royals then called on Lane Thomas to pinch-hit. But Banda got him to strike out for the second out of the inning. Perez then grounded out to second, and the Royals failed to score. The Royals turned to Beck Way, who was making his MLB debut in the bottom of the eighth inning. He recorded his first strikeout in the majors, getting Bell to start the inning. Arcia then hit a single to right field, his second hit of the game. Keaschall then lined out to right field before Way got his second strikeout of the inning, getting Martin to end the inning.

The Twins went to Travis Adams to try to close the game and get them the victory in the top of the ninth inning. Caglianone led off with a single to left field. Adams then got Collins to fly out to center. But Massey hit a sharp single to right field, and the Royals had runners on first and third with one out. Loftin then grounded out to shortstop, but Caglianone scored to make it 5-3 Twins. Isbel then popped out to shortstop, and the Twins win game two of the four-game series.

Zebby Matthews gets the win for the Twins and improves to 2-3, while Royals pitcher Michael Wacha takes the loss and is now 4-4. Travis Adams gets his second save of the year for the Twins.

The Royals are now 6-18 in their last 24 games.

The Twins send Joe Ryan to the mound Saturday, 4-3 with a 3.20 ERA, while the Royals go with Luinder Avila, 1-2 with a 4.44 ERA. Game time is scheduled for 1:10 p.m.