Twins 2 - 0 Tigers
Final
  for this game

Escobar, Twins edge Tigers

Jun 14, 2014 - 5:33 AM Detroit, MI (SportsNetwork.com) - Eduardo Escobar drove in both runs and Kyle Gibson tossed seven shutout innings as the Minnesota Twins took a 2-0 victory over the Detroit Tigers in the opener of a three-game set.

Escobar homered and Kurt Suzuki, Joe Mauer and Kendrys Morales each singled for the Twins, who needed just four hits to win their third straight game.

Starter Kyle Gibson (6-5) gave up just five hits and two walks with three strikeouts to earn the win.

"We held our own tonight," Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said. "It was a fun win."

Alex Avila and Nick Castellanos both doubled for Detroit, which has dropped four of its last five. Starter Drew Smyly (3-5) absorbed the loss after giving up one run on four hits and three walks over six innings.

Escobar opened the scoring in the third after crushing a slider over the wall in left. Danny Santana and Josh Willingham walked and Joe Mauer singled to load the bases with one out, but Morales struck out and Oswaldo Arcia popped up to short to leave the runners stranded.

The Tigers squandered a prime opportunity in the fifth. After loading the bases, Gibson recovered to get Miguel Cabrera to ground into a double play, ending the frame.

Joe Nathan came on to pitch for the Tigers in the ninth. Willingham reached on a throwing error by shortstop Eugenio Suarez and was replaced by pinch-runner Sam Fuld. After Morales flied out, Fuld moved to second on a wild pitch. Arcia grounded out, but Trevor Plouffe walked and Eduardo Nunez was hit by a pitch to load the bases.

Escobar worked an 11-pitch walk, ushering in a run to make it 2-0. Phil Coke took over for Nathan and struck out Santana to limit the damage.

Glen Perkins pitched a scoreless ninth for his 17th save of the season.

"It seems like we take a step forward and then two steps back," Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said.

Game Notes

Cabrera extended his hitting streak to seven games ... Twins second baseman Brian Dozier was scratched from the lineup with a stiff back ... Minnesota leads the season series 4-2 ... Mauer moved into sole possession of eighth place on the Twins' all-time list for games, passing Bob Allison with 1,237.






Related News