The Detroit Tigers bounced back at home in the series opener against the Minnesota Twins on Monday, Sept. 7.
After three walk-off losses in a four-game series against the Cleveland Guardians over the weekend, the Tigers found success early on against the Twins. Detroit scored three runs in the first two innings of their 5-4 win over Minnesota, and the pitching from Troy Melton and the bullpen was sufficient to stay ahead.
Rookie Kevin McGonigle and All-Star left fielder Riley Greene both hit home runs to power the offense. Melton gave up four runs on seven hits and one walk with three strikeouts across 5⅔ innings. The bullpen held on with 3⅓ scoreless innings of relief.
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The two teams had an unusual number of hit-by-pitches, with five – three by the Tigers and two by the Twins.
With the win, the Tigers (66-78) move to 4-7 against the Twins (68-76) this season with two matchups remaining. The Tigers also gained a game in the American League playoff chase, moving to 6½ back of the Guardians who lost Monday, for the third and final wild-card berth.
At the plate: Riley Greene, Kevin McGonigle go deep
The Tigers' cornerstones did the offensive lifting Monday. McGonigle tied the game in the first inning by sending a high fastball over the left field wall at 108.4 mph. McGonigle's 15th home run of his rookie season – and first since Aug. 23 – came off a 95.1 mph four-seam fastball off Twins righty Joe Ryan.
The Tigers took the lead in the second inning after Zach McKinstry led things off with a triple down the right-field line. Detroit loaded the bases with one out via a walk and a hit-by-pitch. Ryan then hit a second straight batter, Colt Keith, to score a run. McGonigle helped drive in another run with a softly hit ground ball, allowing the runner on third base to beat the throw home.
Greene brought his torrid bat back with him from Cleveland. After five hits in the final two games against the Guardians, Greene had three alone on Monday against Minnesota, including a towering two-run home run in the fifth inning. Greene hit a middle-middle fastball from Connor Prielipp halfway up the stands in deep right, extending Detroit's lead to 5-2. His other two hits came on singles to right field.
Outside of the home runs and Minnesota's second-inning miscues, Detroit's offense often threatened, but did not score. The Tigers finished with eight hits and drew five walks.
On the mound: Clean bullpen day
Melton found himself an immediate jam. He hit Minnesota's lead-off hitter, right fielder Luke Keaschall, and gave up a single to Brooks Lee to open the game. Keaschall came around to score on a groundout.
The Tigers' righty cruised until the fourth inning, when left fielder Trevor Larnach pulled one over the right-field wall for a solo home run. In the fifth, Melton gave up consecutive two-out singles to Larnach and Kaelen Culpepper.
Both came around to score on a Walker Jenkins double, which ended Melton's outing. Reliever Tyler Kinley walked the bases loaded after replacing Melton, but he escaped by striking out former Tiger Kody Clemens.
Melton moves to 8-4 with a 2.42 ERA in 2026.
Kinley, Jacob Waguespack, Drew Sommers and Kenley Jansen combined to pitch 3⅓ scoreless innings to maintain Detroit's one-run edge. Sommers ran into issues with runners at the corners in the eighth, but induced a flyout to escape.
Next up: Night moves
The Tigers and Twins continue their final series of the season on Tuesday night (6:40 p.m., Detroit SportsNet). Right-hander Drew Anderson (4-5, 3.73 ERA), who allowed just two runs over 5⅔ innings against the Twins last Wednesday is set to face Dean Kremer (2-5, 5.81 ERA), a pickup from the Baltimore Orioles at the trade deadline.
ContactJared Ramsey at jramsey@freepress.com.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Riley Greene, Kevin McGonigle slug Tigers past Twins
