Tigers lose 4-1 to the Twins on June 28, 2025, despite a solid start from Sawyer Gipson-Long. The loss ends a win streak, but Detroit's division lead is safe.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
Well, you can't win them all. The Detroit Tigers saw their brief winning streak come to an end Saturday, falling to the division-rival Minnesota Twins in a frustrating 4-1 contest. While the loss stings, especially at home, let's take a deep breath. The Tigers woke up this morning in first place, and they'll go to bed tonight in the exact same spot.
The Tigers remain firmly in first place in the AL Central with a 51-32 record, a testament to their strong first half of the season.
Starter Sawyer Gipson-Long was tasked with keeping the momentum going, and he turned in a respectable performance. Over 5.1 innings, he allowed three runs on just four hits, but the long ball hurt him, most notably a shot from Byron Buxton that helped set the tone for Minnesota. Gipson-Long (0-1) ultimately took the loss, but the real story was the Tigers' offense, which couldn't solve the Twins' pitching. The bats were limited to a single run, a rare quiet day for a lineup that has been potent for much of the season. When you can't provide run support, even a decent start can look like a losing effort.
Losing to a divisional opponent is never fun, but let's zoom out. At 51-32, the Tigers still hold the best record in the AL Central. This loss drops them to 5-5 in their last 10 games, a stretch of .500 baseball that hasn't cost them any ground in the standings. One game doesn't define a season, and the team's overall body of work, including a strong 23-18 record at Comerica Park, speaks for itself. This loss is a speed bump, not a derailment, for a team that has proven its contender status all year.
On a day where the on-field result was negative, the off-field report was refreshingly boring. There were no new injuries to worry about, no unexpected roster moves, and no front office drama. The farm system, coaching staff, and social media channels were all quiet. In the middle of a long season, a day of stability can be a blessing. It means the team is healthy, settled, and focused on the task at hand: winning the next game.
The beauty of baseball is that redemption is always just a day away. The Tigers will look to bounce back tomorrow and take the series from the Twins, a crucial goal against a divisional foe. The key will be waking up the bats and giving their starting pitcher the support that was missing today. Expect A.J. Hinch to have the team refocused and ready to prove that Saturday's loss was just a momentary blip on their path to an AL Central crown.
