Detroit Tigers edge past Minnesota Twins 4-3 – MLB News
Detroit Tigers edged past the Minnesota Twins 4-3 at Comerica Park in Detroit, Michigan on Monday, April 29 in the opening game of their three match series of the 2013 Major League Baseball regular season.
Tigers dominated the Twins right from the start of the contest. The pitching rotation was absolutely dominants. Starting pitcher Max Scherzer led from the front as he created all sorts of problems for the Twins’ batting lineup. Allowing just six hits and
three run in seven plus solid innings, Scherzer played a key role in deciding the outcome of the clash. Striking out batters at regular intervals, he did not let the opposition settle down.
"I was able to pitch ahead in the count, and I thought my fastball-changeup combination really allowed me to get those extra strikeouts at the end," Scherzer said in a post game interview.
"To keep them from doing any more damage when we got the lead -- I thought my two-strike changeup was the pitch that allowed me to get a few extra strikeouts. That's my pitch."
After the Twins claimed the early 2-0 lead, Tigers’ outfielder Andy Dirks brought his side back into the contest as he smacked a solo home run to right in the third inning. First baseman Prince Fielder finally managed to make his presence felt as he smacked
a three run home run to centre in the sixth inning to help his team come back from behind to claim a 4-3 win.
Relief pitchers Drew Smyly and Joaquin Benoit also made valuable contributions as they combined to pitch 1.2 scoreless innings, helping the Tigers prevail in a thrilling encounter. Benoit grabbed his second save of the season after he managed to hold his
nerves under immense pressure.
Benoit pitched the scoreless ninth to help the Tigers take a crucial 1-0 series lead. With their win the Tigers improved their win loss record to 11-11 and it will be interesting to see if Jim Leyland and his men can continue the good work throughout this
season to win their third straight American League Central Division title.
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