Detroit Tigers 2012 regular season review – Part 56
Minnesota Twins secured a nail biting 6-4 win against the Detroit Tigers in Game 1 of a three match series. Tigers’ Manager Jim Leyland was expecting his men to regroup and fight to stay alive in the series. However, that did not turn out to be the case
in Game 2 on July 3 as Twins secured another close win to wrap up an impressive series victory at Tropicana Field.
Credit should be given to the Twins for showing nerves of steel under pressure to secure a much needed series victory. Twins’ offence played a big part in determining the result of the contest.
After Twins claimed the early 1-0 lead Ryan Raburn doubled to right in the second inning to put Tigers on the board. Outfielder Brennan Boesch also made his presence felt as he singled to right centre to give Tigers a vital 3-1 lead.
Twins were also determined to wrap up a series victory in front of their home crowd. Joe Mauer reached first base safely on a throwing error by Ramon Santiago. Josh Willingham and Trevor Plouffe hit back to back home runs to stretch Twins’ lead to 6-3.
"That was a long night, but a huge win for this ballclub," Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said after a 3-hour, 26-minute game and 90-minute rain delay. "Our hitters came through when we needed them and our bullpen was great again."
"I just try to focus on the task at hand," Tigers’ Darin Downs said. "The reflection period is for later on tonight."
"They're swinging the bats pretty good," Detroit manager Jim Leyland said. "They're like everyone else, they'll go as far as their pitching takes them."
Boesch and Austin Jackson smacked two consecutive home runs for the Tigers in the fourth inning as the match entered a very gripping phase but the night belonged to the Twins. Mauer homered to left in the bottom of the ninth to leave Tigers in disarray.
Tigers’ pitchers including Duane Below, Brayan Villarreal and Joaquin Benoit paid the ultimate price for their errors on the mound as he gave up nine hits and seven runs in just over five innings.
Tags: