By Larry Arreguin| LPL News Wire| June 10, 2026

DETROIT, MI (6-10-26) — One day after celebrating Military Appreciation Day and earning a convincing 10-4 victory over Minnesota, the Detroit Tigers saw their bid for a series win delayed Wednesday night as the Twins used timely power hitting to claim a 6-4 victory at Comerica Park.

The win evened the three-game series at one game apiece and set up a decisive rubber match Thursday afternoon.

Minnesota struck first in the second inning when first baseman Royce Lewis (#23) launched a solo home run off Tigers starter Framber Valdez (#59), giving the visitors a 1-0 advantage.

Detroit answered in the third. Kevin McGonigle (#7) worked a leadoff walk and eventually came around to score on an RBI double by Gleyber Torres (#25), tying the contest at 1-1.

The Twins seized control in the fifth inning. After a pair of runners reached base, centerfielder Byron Buxton (#25) crushed a three-run home run to left field, extending Minnesota’s lead to 4-1. The blast was Buxton’s 20th homer of the season and accounted for three of his game-high RBIs.

The Tigers responded immediately in the bottom half of the inning. McGonigle again reached base and Torres followed with another hit before Kerry Carpenter (#30) delivered a two-run single to center, cutting the deficit to 4-3 and bringing the Comerica Park crowd back into the game.

Detroit had opportunities throughout the evening but struggled to capitalize, finishing 3-for-10 with runners in scoring position while leaving 10 runners on base.

Minnesota added insurance runs in the seventh inning against Tigers reliever Ty Madden (#36). The Twins pieced together a rally that pushed the lead to 6-3 and provided valuable breathing room for their bullpen.

Valdez absorbed the loss, allowing four runs on six hits over five innings while striking out two and walking two. He surrendered both Minnesota home runs.

Detroit’s bullpen combination of Brenan Hanifee (#75), Madden, Dylan Sommers (#48), and Beau Brieske (#4) kept the game within reach, but the Tigers’ offense could not generate enough late momentum.

The Tigers mounted one final rally in the ninth inning. McGonigle drew his third walk of the night and later scored on an RBI single by Dillon Dingler (#13), trimming the deficit to 6-4. However, Twins closer Yennier Gomez (#94) recorded the final outs to earn his fifth save of the season.

Torres led Detroit’s offense by going 3-for-4 with a double and RBI. McGonigle scored twice and reached base three times via walk, while Carpenter drove in two runs and Dingler added another RBI.

Minnesota collected 12 hits, led by Buxton’s three-RBI performance. Lewis added his solo homer, while former Tiger Kody Clemens (#2) contributed a pinch-hit double.

Despite turning four double plays defensively, the Tigers could not overcome 14 strikeouts and Minnesota’s timely power hitting.

With the series now tied at one game each, Detroit will look to capture the rubber match Thursday afternoon at Comerica Park before heading back on the road.