Mark Canha’s clutch two-run double was the highlight of the Detroit Tigers’ four-run eighth inning as they staged a comeback to defeat the Minnesota Twins 4-3 on Sunday.
The win marked Tigers manager A.J. Hinch’s 800th victory in the majors. “It seems like just yesterday that I started in this league,” Hinch joked after the game. “This win feels fantastic. Our team showed incredible resilience.”
Trailing 3-0 heading into the eighth inning, Detroit turned the tide against Caleb Thielbar and Griffin Jax.
Javier Báez, who had struggled with a batting average of .119 and no extra-base hits, broke through with a solo home run off Thielbar, narrowing the deficit to 3-1.
“I finally got one, but I know there’s more work to be done,” said Báez, who has faced criticism from Tigers fans. “It’s been frustrating, trying to make adjustments for the past two years. I just need to stay patient.”
Thielbar, making his season debut, surrendered two groundball singles, putting runners on the corners with one out. Twins manager Rocco Baldelli brought in Jax (1-1), but Canha’s well-placed chopper down the third-base line eluded Kyle Farmer for a crucial two-run double.
“The box score might not show any errors, but we missed several opportunities,” Baldelli admitted. “When you give the other team extra chances, they’re bound to capitalize. We’ve been solid defensively all season, but today was a different story.”
Canha advanced to third on the throw to home plate, and Spencer Torkelson followed with a timely RBI single to right-center, securing the Tigers’ lead.
“Canha’s hustle to third base was a game-changer,” Hinch remarked. “That forced the Twins to bring their infield in, leaving space for Torkelson’s blooper.”
Will Vest (1-0) earned the win with 1 2/3 scoreless innings of relief, while Jason Foley closed out the game with his fourth save.
Despite a strong performance from starter Bailey Ober, who tossed six-plus innings of three-hit shutout ball, the Twins couldn’t hold on to their lead. “I felt like I kept them guessing,” Ober reflected. “That’s why I was able to induce a lot of popups.”
