Byron Buxton had three hits and the Minnesota Twins batted around in a six-run first inning against Framber Valdez before holding off the Detroit Tigers 8-6 on Wednesday night.
Bailey Ober (1-0) allowed two runs in 5 2/3 innings for the Twins, who will go for a four-game sweep of their AL Central rivals Thursday afternoon. Cody Laweryson struck out two in 1 1/3 innings before Kody Funderburk got two outs for his third career save and first this season.
Buxton singled on the first pitch from Valdez (1-1) and later scored on a wild pitch. Ryan Jeffers had a sacrifice fly, Josh Bell singled in a run and Matt Wallner added an RBI double. Royce Lewis made it 6-0 with a two-run single before Valdez retired the side on his 29th pitch.
Buxton singled and scored on a two-out base hit by Luke Keaschall for a 7-0 lead in the fourth. Buxton also doubled and scored the Twins' final run in the sixth.
"Four game series, especially winning the first three against a team that's a really good team in our own division," Twins Manager Derek Shelton says. "Yeah, it was a little bit closer than we expected, but I was really proud of our group. I mean, we came out against a really good starting pitcher and we were able to put 6 on it, and then we were able to tack on, which we needed the runs late."
Ober allowed RBI singles to Kerry Carpenter and Dillon Dingler before leaving with two on in the sixth. Justin Topa gave up an infield single to Parker Meadows that loaded the bases before Zach McKinstry lined out to left field.
"I thought he did a good job. I mean, we sent him out for the 6th, he hadn't even been out for the 5th, during the 6th, it looked like he got tired," Shelton said. "I mean, he threw what, 81 or 82, last when he got up to like 94, 95. I think we saw him fatigue a little bit, but I mean, he did a good job. He got the lead. We got the lead, and then he just kept them off the barrel. Continue to get fly balls, which is what we see."
Anthony Banda allowed a two-run double to Gleyber Torres and an RBI single to Riley Greene in the seventh. Cole Sands let Greene score on a wild pitch before striking out Meadows to keep it 8-6.
Valdez exited after Buxton and Austin Martin singled to start the sixth. The left-hander gave up eight runs — matching his career high — on 10 hits and two walks.
Valdez had allowed just one earned run over 12 innings in his first two starts for Detroit after signing a $115 million, three-year contract as a free agent in February.
Detroit Tigers (4-8, fifth in the AL Central) vs. Minnesota Twins (6-6, second in the AL Central)
Minneapolis; Thursday, 12:40 p.m. Pregame at 12:00 p.m. on 830 WCCO, 102.9 The Wolf, and streaming on the Audacy app (in-market only)
PITCHING PROBABLES: Tigers: Jack Flaherty (0-1, 7.56 ERA, 1.80 WHIP, eight strikeouts); Twins: Mick Abel (0-2, 11.05 ERA, 2.86 WHIP, seven strikeouts)
BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Tigers -136, Twins +114; over/under is 8 runs
BOTTOM LINE: The Minnesota Twins, on a three-game home winning streak, host the Detroit Tigers.
Minnesota is 6-6 overall and 4-2 at home. Twins pitchers have a collective 4.11 ERA, which ranks seventh in the AL.
Detroit is 4-8 overall and 2-7 in road games. The Tigers are 0-1 in games decided by one run.
The teams meet Thursday for the fourth time this season.
TOP PERFORMERS: Josh Bell has four doubles and two home runs while hitting .270 for the Twins. Matt Wallner is 11 for 44 with two doubles and three home runs over the last 10 games.
Dillon Dingler has a double, two home runs and eight RBIs for the Tigers. Kerry Carpenter is 7 for 29 with two home runs over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Twins: 5-5, .233 batting average, 4.60 ERA, outscored opponents by one run
Tigers: 2-8, .235 batting average, 5.15 ERA, outscored by 10 runs
INJURIES: Twins: David Festa: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Travis Adams: 15-Day IL (tricep), Pablo Lopez: 60-Day IL (elbow)
Tigers: Justin Verlander: 15-Day IL (hip inflammation), Trey Sweeney: 10-Day IL (shoulder), Bailey Horn: 15-Day IL (elbow), Reese Olson: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Jackson Jobe: 60-Day IL (elbow), Troy Melton: 60-Day IL (elbow), Beau Brieske: 60-Day IL (groin)
