Detroit Tigers hang on for 6-4 win over Minnesota Twins; Game thread recap
Detroit Tigers (29-40) vs. Minnesota Twins (36-35)
When: 2:10 p.m. Sunday.
Where: Target Field in Minnesota.
TV: Bally Sports Detroit.
Radio: 97.1 FM in Detroit (Tigers radio affiliates).
Weather: High of 76, rain early then thunderstorms possible later in the day.
Starting pitchers: Tigers RHP Will Vest (2-0, 3.08 ERA) vs. Twins RHP Louie Varland (3-2, 4.70 ERA).
Tigers lineup:
1. Zach McKinstry (RF)
2. Spencer Torkelson (1B)
3. Kerry Carpenter (LF)
4. Javier Báez (SS)
5. Nick Maton (3B)
6. Andy Ibáñez (2B)
7. Miguel Cabrera (DH)
8. Eric Haase (C)
9. Jake Marisnick (CF)
Game notes: It'll be another bullpen-only start for the Tigers as they continue to deal with a litany of injuries on their starting pitching staff.
The Tigers were already down top young pitchers before the season even started as Matt Manning, Tarik Skubal and Casey Mize battled injuries. But it went from bad to worse when Eduardo Rodriguez and Alex Faedo were placed on the Injured List. That left the Tigers, already dealing with an inconsistent Joey Wentz, relying heavily on the bullpen.
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The Tigers had a bullpen-only game on Friday, with right-hander Mason Englert serving as the team's opener. Wentz returned to the mound on Saturday and had one of his best outings of the year, allowing just two hits and two runs over six innings, but still picked up the loss. But after getting six solid innings from Wentz, the Tigers will go back to a bullpen-only game on Sunday. Will Vest is slated to open the game.
The Twins, meanwhile, know exactly who will be on the mound. Louie Varland will be closing out the four-game series between the two teams as the Twins try to even things out.
Varland has a 4.70 ERA in nine games this season, a slight drop off from his five games last year with the Twins when he had a 3.81 ERA. Varland has had a knack for giving up home runs in his short career. In 14 career starts, Varland has allowed 16 home runs, including 12 so far this year.
The Tigers will certainly hope that trend continues because after getting shut out against the Twins on Saturday, they'll need all the help they can get on offense.
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This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Tigers hang on for 6-4 win over Minnesota Twins; Game recap
