MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Twins are still trying to find their way, particularly their hitting stride.
Pick-me-ups are welcome from any place, whether a relief pitcher starting the game or a pair of perfectly executed relay throws to the plate.
Minnesota’s bullpen teamed up for a three-hitter, Alex Kirilloff delivered an RBI single in a breakthrough fifth inning against Detroit starter Joey Wentz, and the Twins beat the Tigers 2-0 on Saturday afternoon.
“Our dugout was loud. The guys were pulling for their teammates,” manager Rocco Baldelli said. “The guys were locked in on what was going on in the game when it was still 0-0 and we were just trying to get something going.”
José De León started with two perfect innings for the Twins, who opted for an all-reliever game to give their rotation a break during this stretch of 16 games without a day off.
Emilio Pagán was perfect for five outs. Brent Headrick (1-0) claimed his first major league victory with 2 1/3 innings after that, having been summoned on the fresh arm express from Triple-A before the game. Jhoan Duran, the sixth pitcher to appear, earned his ninth save in 10 attempts with a crisp ninth accelerated by a double-play grounder that pinch-hitter Eric Haase bounced to third baseman Royce Lewis.
“Shutouts are great, no matter who’s pitching,” Headrick said.
The Twins had only three hits themselves, thanks to Wentz (1-7). The left-hander had a career-high nine strikeouts over six innings to match his season-long turn, enjoying some fine glovework behind him.
First baseman Spencer Torkleson leaned over the wall to catch a foul pop against the protective netting down the line in the fourth inning. Second baseman Nick Maton ended the third with a leaping catch of Michael Taylor’s line drive.
The Twins made an even bigger impact on defense.
After Zack Short drew a two-out walk in the fifth for the first baserunner of the game. Miguel Cabrera doubled off Headrick down the left-field line, where Willi Castro grabbed it and threw it to shortstop Carlos Correa.
Correa fired a one-hopper home from the edge of the grass. Catcher Ryan Jeffers snagged it and brushed Short’s backside with his glove in one motion, a close call that was confirmed after a long replay review.
The Twins (36-35), who scored just one run 10 times and have been shutout five times over their first 70 games, entered the day with a 2 1/2-game lead over Cleveland in the AL Central. The Tigers (29-40) are six games back.
