The Twins fell to the Tigers 7-6 on June 27 as their slump continues. Despite Byron Buxton's efforts, Kerry Carpenter's power led Detroit to victory.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It was a game that had all the makings of a turning point, a gritty road win to snap out of a funk. Instead, Friday night in Detroit delivered another dose of frustration for Twins fans. Despite a late-game rally, Minnesota fell just short, losing a nail-biter 7-6 to the division-leading Tigers and extending their current losing streak to two games.
The loss dropped the Twins to just 4-10 in their last 14 games, a slump that has seen them fall to third place in the AL Central.
The box score will show a one-run loss, but the feeling is one of a missed opportunity. The offense, a source of inconsistency during this recent slide, showed signs of life. Newcomers Harrison Bader and Ty France did their part to spark the lineup, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Tigers' attack, paced by Kerry Carpenter's power. Every time the Twins seemed poised to take control, Detroit had an answer. This back-and-forth battle against the top team in the division is exactly the kind of game Minnesota needs to start winning.
Zooming out, the single loss highlights a troubling trend. The Twins now sit at 38-42, a full 4.5 games behind the Tigers in the AL Central standings. This recent 4-10 stretch has erased the progress they made earlier in the season. It's not for a lack of star power. Byron Buxton continues to put up MVP-caliber numbers, leading the team with a .279 average, 17 homers, and 48 RBIs. On the mound, Joe Ryan remains a bona fide ace with his 8-3 record and sparkling 2.86 ERA. But baseball is a team sport, and right now, the individual successes aren't translating into wins.
As the team scuffles, fans are looking for a spark, but for now, it will have to come from within. The team reported no new transactions on Friday, meaning the cavalry isn't arriving just yet. The absence of key players like Royce Lewis (hamstring) and Brooks Lee (lower back) continues to be felt, limiting the lineup's depth and versatility. The message from the front office, intentional or not, is clear: the players currently in the clubhouse are the ones who have to dig themselves out of this hole.
This two-game skid feels heavier than most, coming against the division leader. The Twins have two more chances in Detroit to right the ship and prove they can hang with the best in the AL Central. Saturday's game isn't just another date on the calendar; it's a chance to stop the bleeding and reclaim some much-needed momentum.
