Byron Buxton hit a home run and a double, while Christian Vázquez added a homer and three hits as the Minnesota Twins defeated the Detroit Tigers 9-3 on Friday night.
“I think everybody put something on the table to win this game,” said Vázquez, who has hit three of his five home runs this season against the Tigers. “When I swing at pitches in the zone, I get better results. I feel good and have confidence in myself.”
Pablo López (9-7) gave up two runs on six hits over seven innings, striking out seven batters.
“A lot of my stuff got better toward the end of my outing,” he said. Tigers starter Keider Montero (1-4) allowed six runs on eight hits in five innings.
With only three healthy starters, Tigers manager A.J. Hinch had to stick with Montero even after he gave up three home runs in the first two innings.
“He was going to be out there,” Hinch said. “It’s not easy right now — we have been putting together some bullpen games and there are more coming up, so Keider had a long leash. With three solo homers, we were still in the game.”
Buxton and Trevor Larnach gave the Twins a 2-0 lead with back-to-back homers in the first inning, and Matt Wallner added a home run in the second.
Javier Báez hit his second homer in as many days to make it 3-2 in the third inning.
“I’m feeling good at the plate,” said Báez, who is hitting .179 with three home runs. “I’ve been working a lot to improve, and if I can stay hot, I can have a strong second half.” The Twins regained control with three runs in the fourth inning.
Willi Castro drove in two runs with a single to left field and took a big turn around the bag, prompting second baseman Colt Keith to throw to first.
The Tigers were wearing their black City Connect jerseys, and the only person in that color at first base was umpire Mike Muchlinski. Keith’s throw went into Minnesota’s dugout, allowing Castro to advance to third base. He then scored on Buxton’s double to left field.
