Sixth inning hurts Tigers in 6-3 loss to Twins in several ways
McCann homers, but sixth inning costly for Tigers where they allowed 3 walks, 2 singles and a HR.
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – A six-run inning by the Twins proved to be costly to the Detroit Tigers in multiple ways.
Justin Verlander walked three consecutive batters, then gave up a two-run single to Robbie Grossman. Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera suffered a right groin strain diving for the ball on the hit by Grossman and later came out of the game.
Prized prospect Joe Jimenez came in with one out in the sixth and gave up an RBI single to Jorge Polanco, then a three-run home run to Eddie Rosario.
The Tigers went on to lose, 6-3, to the Twins Friday night at Target Field. The loss snapped the Tigers' 11-game win streak at Target Field. The Tigers' last loss in Minnesota was Sept. 15, 2015.
The Tigers (8-8) suffered their fourth loss in a row.
Verlander gave up six walks, the second-highest total of his career. Verlander allowed seven walks in a 6-4 loss in Boston on Aug. 16, 2006.
“Threw too many balls,” said Verlander, who allowed four runs on three hits in five-plus innings. He struck out four.
“Inexcusable there. Lost my tempo and rhythm. That many walks with us up like that, that can’t happen.”
Verlander said it wasn’t one particular pitch that gave him trouble.
“It was kind of timing, which will throw off everything here and there,” Verlander said. “You’re a little late, a little early, kind of yank one. ... Just the timing all day wasn’t quite there.
“Stuff’s where I need it. Ball is coming out good. Off-speed stuff has been pretty good. Just need to be more consistent.”
Verlander disagreed with the notion that the Twins were more patient.
“I was throwing pitches that, even if they wanted to swing, they couldn’t have,” Verlander said. “Gotta be around the zone a little more than I was today. A lot of wasted pitches, non-competitive pitches.”
The Tigers gave Verlander a three-run cushion after scoring all of their runs with two outs.
Cabrera hit three two-out singles before he was injured. He’ll be re-evaluated today.
“Did it on the dive,” Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said of how Cabrera was injured. “The ball went in between he and (Ian) Kinsler that drove in a couple runs off of Grossman’s bat. That’s when he felt it. He got back to the dugout after the inning and let the trainers know. We’ll know more tomorrow.”
Ausmus said he stuck with Verlander to face Grossman because he’s the ace and would have let him continue if he’d gotten Grossman out.
“Grossman didn’t hit the ball very hard,” Ausmus said. “He jammed and broke his bat, but just found a place to go.”
After singles by Nick Castellanos and Cabrera with two outs in the third, Victor Martinez hit an RBI single. Justin Upton followed with a RBI double to center to give the Tigers a 2-0 lead.
James McCann hit a two-out solo home run to left in the sixth that traveled an estimated 404 feet. Four of McCann’s six hits this season have been home runs.
Jimenez allowed two runs on two hits before getting the final two outs of the sixth. Tigers closer Francisco Rodriguez spoke to Jimenez after the game, but declined to say what he told the rookie.
“He’s going to give up another home run – not going to be the last home run he gives up,” Ausmus said. “He’s going to have to learn to deal with it, come back tomorrow and be ready to do it again.”
Ausmus said he was looking for a strikeout in the sixth inning with the tying run at third and winning run on second.
“Felt like he was our best option to get a strikeout,” Ausmus said of why he put Jimenez in that situation.
Verlander said he’d hate for Jimenez to “overjudge himself” based on what happened.
“That’s a tough spot for him to come into,” Verlander said. “I think he’s going to be great for a long time. Obviously his stuff plays. He throws strikes, good off-speed stuff. He’s going to be really key for us moving forward.
“Those guys shouldn’t have been out there. I shouldn’t have walked three guys in a row. So, this is all on me. I put that kid in a tough spot. I’ve gotta be better.”
Contact George Sipple: gsipple@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @georgesipple. Download our Tigers Xtra app for free on Apple and Android devices!