Kepler's 8th-Inning Single Leads Twins Over Tigers 4-3
DETROIT (AP) — Max Kepler's two-out, two-run single in the eighth inning lifted the AL Central-leading Minnesota Twins over the Detroit Tigers 4-3 on Monday.
The Twins have gone 6-1 in the first seven games of a 10-game road trip. Detroit went 1-6 in its seven-game homestand.
Trailing 3-2, Minnesota started the eighth with two singles off Buck Farmer (5-6). He retired the next two batters, but Ehire Adrianza's infield single loaded the bases for Kepler.
Matt Hall relieved and Kepler lined his single to center field.
Zack Littell (3-0) got the win and Taylor Rogers worked a perfect ninth for his 22nd save.
Tigers starter Jordan Zimmermann, relying heavily on the sinker he started throwing after the All-Star break, gave up two runs on nine hits in six innings.
Twins starter Jake Odorizzi allowed three runs and five hits in five innings. He struck out seven without walking a batter.
Miguel Cabrera hit a solo home run, his 10th, in the Detroit first. Adrianza put Minnesota ahead with a homer in the second.
Detroit rallied in the fifth, starting the inning with three singles to tie the score. Jake Rogers bunted the runners to second and third and Victor Reyes hit a sacrifice fly to put Detroit up 3-2.
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