Debuting Twin Shines, Twins Win First Series Since All-Star Break

One day after being activated to the Minnesota Twins roster, Thomas Hatch is already making an impact. Hatch made his Twins debut Wednesday against the Tigers by going 4.1 innings, allowing just two hits and no earned runs in a day that covered part of the third inning through the seventh. Hatch was picked up off waivers from the Kansas City Royals to refill the Twins' bullpen after five relievers were traded before the deadline. Hatch silenced the Tigers' offense, which had pummeled the Twins early. His relief, along with some impressive Twins bats, guided the Twins to a 9-4 victory and a 2-1 series win over the Detroit Tigers.

The bats started in the first at-bat of the day. Alan Roden, who was 1-13 as a Twin coming into the game, smacked a lead-off single to start what would be his best game as a Twin, finishing 2-5 with a home run. Matt Wallner then extended his on-base streak to 10 games with a single of his own, putting runners on first and second with no outs against Tigers starter Jack Flaherty. Minnesota cashed in with Luke Keaschall doubling to right field, scoring both runners to grab the early 2-0 lead, a lead that was extended in the second inning when Brooks Lee and Edouard Julien both singled to put Lee on third. Flaherty then threw a wild pitch, allowing Lee to steal home and put the Twins up 3-0.

That’s when the Tigers' bats struck back against Twins starter Pierson Ohl. Spencer Torkelson hit a solo homerun to lead off the bottom of the second, and Zach McKinstry did the same in the bottom of the third, bringing the score to 3-2 with no outs recorded in the Tigers' half of the third inning. Later in the third, Colt Keith popped a single, leading to Kerry Carpenter knocking the second Tigers homerun of the frame and ending Pierson Ohl’s day after 2.2 innings. Ohl finished allowing four hits and four earned runs to go with three strikeouts. Hatch came in relief and controlled the game from the mound, and the Twins' bats were not finished.

Brooks Lee made sure Minnesota didn’t trail for long, knocking a ball 430 feet to tie the ballgame at four all in the fourth. Then in the fifth, Ryan Jeffers doubled to score Wallner from first, followed by a double by Kerschall to score Jeffers, and the Twins led 6-4. That RBI was the third of Keaschalls' day and sixth over his last two games. It was the ninth game of the rookie’s career, and he doesn’t seem to need an adjustment period at all. He made it on base in 18 of his first 33 plate appearances and has reached base in every game of his career thus far. Alan Roden and Austin Martin showed some rare power in the sixth inning, both hitting their second career home runs. Both were solo shots that gave the Twins breathing room. Minnesota added one more in the seventh. Mickey Gasper recorded the RBI on a groundout after three Twins walked to load the bases, and Minnesota cruised to the 9-4 win.

The win secured the Twins' first series win since July 11th through 13th, when they beat the Pirates in a three-game series. It will build confidence for the new-look Twins after the mass shake-up at the deadline. Minnesota is 3-3 since the trade deadline, all games played on the road. The Twins will have a day off on Thursday before hosting the Kansas City Royals for three games starting Friday.