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Twins use five-run third to beat Tigers

May 14, 2015 - 4:24 AM Detroit, MI (SportsNetwork.com) - Joe Mauer hit a three-run triple during a five-run third inning, helping the Minnesota Twins beat the Detroit Tigers 6-2 on Wednesday.

Torii Hunter hit a solo homer and scored twice for the Twins, who snapped a two-game skid. Trevor Plouffe and Kurt Suzuki had one RBI apiece.

"We're playing well as a team. We all feel good," said Hunter. "That's a hard team to beat over there. We got six runs but I was like, 'That's not enough. We have to try to get more.'"

Minnesota starter Ricky Nolasco (3-1) allowed two unearned runs on four hits while striking out seven and walking three over 5 1/3 innings.

Yoenis Cespedes and Nick Castellanos each drove in a run for the Tigers, who have lost three of four. Kyle Lobstein (3-3) gave up six runs on seven hits over 2 1/3 innings.

"I'm letting the game get too fast, not slowing it down," said Lobstein. "I didn't do a good job of stepping off and trying to gather myself and think a little more instead of just throwing."

The Twins took a 1-0 lead on Hunter's homer in the first. It was the first home run given up by Lobstein this season.

Minnesota exploded for five runs in the third. Aaron Hicks and Danny Santana hit back-to-back singles before Hunter worked a one-out walk to load the bases. Mauer followed with a three-run triple to right-center field. Plouffe hit a triple of his own to the same spot to plate Mauer. Suzuki added an RBI double to center, chasing Lobstein from the game. Alex Wilson struck out Eddie Rosario and Eduardo Escobar to keep it 6-0.

The Tigers finally got on the board in the sixth. Ian Kinsler singled, Miguel Cabrera walked and pinch-hitter Rajai Davis reached on second baseman Brian Dozier's fielding error to load the bases. Aaron Thompson replaced Nolasco and gave up a sacrifice fly to Cespedes. Castellanos followed with an RBI single to center and James McCann popped out to end the inning.

Detroit left the bases loaded in the seventh. Jose Iglesias singled and Anthony Gose walked. Michael Tonkin came in from the bullpen and got one out before giving up a single to Cabrera. Victor Martinez struck out swinging and Davis grounded out to end the threat.

Game Notes

The Tigers fell to 6-2 against the Twins this season ... Detroit outfielder J.D. Martinez left the game with lower back tightness ... Dozier had three of Minnesota's 12 hits ... The Tigers went 2-for-8 with runners in scoring position and stranded 10.