07/26/24 09:19:00
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07/26 21:18 CDT Byron Buxton homers and doubles to lead Twins to 9-3 win over
Tigers
Byron Buxton homers and doubles to lead Twins to 9-3 win over Tigers
By DAVE HOGG
Associated Press
DETROIT (AP) --- Byron Buxton hit a home run and a double, Christian Vzquez
had a homer and three hits and the Minnesota Twins beat the Detroit Tigers 9-3
on Friday night.
"I think everybody put something on the table to win this game," said Vzquez,
who has three of his five homers this season against the Tigers. "When I swing
at pitches at zone, I get different results. I feel good and I have confidence
in myself."
Pablo Lpez (9-7) allowed two runs on six hits in seven innings, striking out
seven.
"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 stay with
Montero even after he allowed three homers 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 some on the
horizon, so Keider had a long leash. With three solo homers, we were still in
the game."
Buxton and Trevor Larnach gave Minnesota a 2-0 lead with back-to-back homers in
the first, and Matt Wallner added a home run in the second.
Javier Bez hit his second homer in as many days to make it 3-2 in the third.
"I'm feeling good at the plate," said Bez, who is hitting .179 with three
homers. "I've been working a lot to play better, and if I can stay hot, I can
have a big second half."
The Twins regained control with three runs in the fourth.
Willi Castro knocked in two with a single to left 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 wearing that color
at first was umpire Mike Muchlinski. Keith's throw sailed into Minnesota's
dugout, allowing Castro to take third. He scored on Buxton's double to left.
"That's a tough inning when we've got two out, especially after (Bez) gets us
back into the game with the homer," Hinch said. "I haven't talked to Colt, but
I think that's down to inexperience --- I don't think Bligh (Madris) needed to
travel with the runner. He could have stayed (at first), which is probably why
he was trying to get back."
Vzquez hit a two-run homer off Joey Wentz to make it 8-2 in the sixth.
The Tigers loaded the bases with no one out in the seventh, but Gio Urshela
grounded into a force at the plate before Bez and Wenceel Prez popped out.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Twins: Activated 3B Royce Lewis (adductor strain) from the injured list and
optioned C Jair Carmago to Triple-A St. Paul. Lewis came into the game hitting
.292 with 10 homers and 18 RBIs in 24 games.
Tigers: Placed All-Star OF Riley Greene (hamstring) on the injured list and
recalled UTL Ryan Vilade from Triple-A Toledo. Greene has been injured in each
of his first three seasons, limiting him to 293 games.
UP NEXT
The teams play the second game of the series on Saturday, with Tigers ace LHP
Tarik Skubal (11-3, 2.34) facing Minnesota RHP Joe Ryan (6-6, 3.65).
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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
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