Rookie Wenceel Pérez came through with a clutch two-out single in the ninth inning, helping the Detroit Tigers secure a 5-4 victory over the Minnesota Twins on Friday night. The win marked the Twins’ fifth consecutive loss, the longest losing streak they’ve had this season.
Despite the chilly weather, Pérez had a standout performance with three hits, two RBIs, and two runs scored. Kerry Carpenter also contributed with four hits and two RBIs for the Tigers.
In the ninth inning, with the score tied at 4-4, Twins reliever Caleb Thielbar managed to get two quick outs before giving up a single to Parker Meadows. However, a wild throw by Thielbar during a pickoff attempt allowed Meadows to advance to second base.
Following an intentional walk to Mark Canha, Pérez seized the moment and delivered a sharp single to center field, bringing in the decisive run.
Reflecting on his game-winning hit, Pérez remarked, “I saw my chance and stayed patient, waiting for the right pitch to hit.”
The Twins, who were the champions of the AL Central last season, continue to struggle, having lost 10 of their last 13 games and currently holding a 6-12 record, second-worst in the AL.
Despite the tough conditions, Tigers reliever Andrew Chaffin earned the win by retiring all four batters he faced, while Jason Foley secured his sixth save with a scoreless ninth inning. The Tigers have now won six of their last 15 games after starting the season with five consecutive wins.
Pitching-wise, Jack Flaherty put in a solid performance for the Tigers, allowing only four runs — two of which were earned — on four hits while striking out 10 batters in six innings. On the Twins’ side, Joe Ryan pitched 5 1/3 innings, giving up four runs and striking out six.
Flaherty’s only blemish came in the first inning, when Trevor Larnach hit a two-run homer on an 0-2 pitch, giving the Twins an early 2-1 lead. Reflecting on that moment, Flaherty emphasized the importance of executing pitches, noting that one bad pitch can make a significant difference in the game.
