Tigers hand Twins season
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Rookie Wenceel Pérez hit a go-ahead two-out single in the ninth inning and the Detroit Tigers handed the Minnesota Twins their season-worst fifth straight loss, 5-4 on Friday night.
Pérez finished with three hits, two RBIs and two runs scored on a frigid night when temperatures hovered in the mid-30s Fahrenheit with a steady breeze. Kerry Carpenter added four hits and two RBIs for the Tigers.
With the game tied at 4-all in the ninth, Twins reliever Caleb Thielbar (0-1) got the first two outs before giving up a single to Parker Meadows. Thielbar then threw wildly on a pickoff attempt, allowing Meadows to take second. Mark Canha was intentionally walked, setting up Pérez, who drove in the decisive run with a sharp single to center.
“I thought that was my opportunity,” Pérez said. “I just tried to be patient and I got a good pitch to hit.”