Twins 9, Tigers 4: Home Run Derby in Detroit Gives Twins a Series Win

[Sherry Cerny]

Image courtesy of © Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

Box Score
SP: Pierson Ohl - 2 2/3 IP, 4H, 4ER, 0BB, 3K (61 pitches, 41 strikes (71%))
Home Runs:  Brooks Lee (11); Austin Martin (1); Alan Roden (2) 
Top 3 WPA: Luke Keaschall (.248); Brooks Lee (.178);  Thomas Hatch (.175)
Win Probability Chart (via FanGraphs)

Since the trade deadline, the Twins have surprised many. Despite major roster shake-ups, the team is playing with grit and intensity. Wins haven’t come easily, but the effort is there. There has been timely hitting, aggressive baserunning, and pitching that’s keeping them in games. It’s a shift few expected this late in back-to-back series.

The Twins got things going early with a leadoff single from Alan Roden off Jack Flaherty. Matt Wallner followed with a fly ball misplayed by the Tigers’ defense, pushing Roden to second. Though Ryan Jeffers and Kody Clemens struck out, they drove Flaherty’s pitch count up. Then came Luke Keaschall who ripped a gapper to center. Another Detroit miscue allowed Roden and Wallner to score, giving the Twins a 2–0 lead.

It’s not just the bats showing urgency. The defense has been adapting on the fly, especially after Trevor Larnach exited with an injury. Clemens shifted to the outfield, Julien moved to first base, Brooks Lee took over at short, and Keaschall slotted in at second base, The reshuffle highlighted everyone's versatility, which has quickly become an asset.

Before the game, Clemens acknowledged the fans’ frustration but emphasized that the team is locked in and giving its all. That determination is starting to show.

Pierson Ohl opened with a sharp, efficient first inning—no hits, one strikeout, and just 12 pitches. The Twins' pitching staff has quietly been steady lately, consistently working through five or six innings, with the bullpen holding its own aside from a few rough outings. Overall, the rotation has been surprisingly solid.

In the second, Brooks Lee’s first at-bat ended with a ball off Flaherty’s glute, followed by a dropped ball that allowed Lee to reach first. Flaherty was clearly off his game. A line drive by Edouard Julien zipped past him, putting runners on base, and a wild pitch during Alan Roden’s at-bat brought Lee home to make it 3–1, Twins. One of Lee’s underrated strengths is his baserunning IQ—he knows he’s not fast, but he's smart and aggressive when it counts.

Ohl gave up a solo homer to open the bottom of the second, a frustratingly familiar sight for Twins fans, but limited the damage. He ran up his pitch count slightly but escaped with just one run allowed, stranding two and finishing two innings with only 35 pitches. By comparison, Flaherty had already faced 11 batters, while Ohl had seen just seven. Early on, this looked like a game the Twins were firmly in control of.

Kody Clemens continued to showcase his versatility, shifting from right to left field in the third inning. On a routine play turned highlight reel, he nearly robbed Zach McKinstry of a home run—gloving the ball at the wall before losing it on the way down. McKinstry's homer cut the Twins’ lead to 3–2. Still, Clemens’ athleticism has been on full display, both in this game and over the past five.

Pierson Ohl ran into trouble in the third, pushing his pitch count to 61 and surrendering a two-run homer to Kerry Carpenter with two outs, giving the Tigers a 4–3 lead. With Thomas Hatch warming in the bullpen, a slow mound visit bought time. Hatch, recently claimed from the Royals after spending most of the season with AAA Omaha, was set to make his Twins debut.

The Tigers' lead didn’t last long. Brooks Lee jumped on the first pitch of the fourth inning and crushed a 430-foot homer to right-center—his 11th of the season and longest of his career, leaving the bat at 105.2 MPH to tie the game at 4–4.

Matt Wallner followed with a single that was mishandled at second, allowing him to reach safely. Ryan Jeffers then dropped a bloop into center, and Wallner turned on the jets, scoring all the way from first to give the Twins a 5–4 lead. As he crossed home, Wallner made a gesture mimicking opening a book—a symbolic nod to the team starting a “new chapter” after the trade deadline. It was a meaningful moment for a clubhouse still processing the recent shake-up.

Luke Keaschall added to the momentum in the fifth with his fifth double of the season and third RBI of the game, driving in Jeffers to put the Twins up 6–4. That would end Flaherty’s day, with Tyler Holton coming in for the Tigers.

In the sixth, Austin Martin replaced Edouard Julien and made an immediate impact—launching a first-pitch home run to left, padding the lead to 7–4. Martin is still finding his place within the organization, and with limited opportunities left, performances like this are crucial. It was his first homer of the season with the Twins. 

The Twins weren’t done. Alan Roden joined the home run party with his second of the season—and first in a Twins uniform—pushing the lead to 8–4.

Hatch continued the sixth inning, and continued a great appearance for his Twins debut. Both innings, 1-2-3 innings. 

The seventh inning Detroits pitcher Tommy Kahnle was behind the count consistently and had two on base and one out, and walked Martin to load the bases. Pitching change ensued and the Twins scored Royce Lewis on an RBI ground out from Mickey Gasper to first a 9-4 lead. 

Hatch stayed through the start of the eighth inning until the lefty hitter Ibanez came in and Kody Funderburk came into the game to face him. Funderburk is another pitcher in relief position who has had a rocky season bouncing back and fourth four times, but has really been locked in these last two series. Ibanez has struggled against sinkers and Funderburk, the match up made a lot of sense, and Funderburk eliminated Ibanez with the first out. The Tigers got runners on the corners and a quick breather, and Funderburk pitched pinch-runner Jahmai Jones into a double play to secure the lead and eliminate damage on the way out. 

For their final act, the Twins brought out reliever RHP Brooks Kriskie to finish out the game and the ninth inning. Kriskie comes from the Cubs off of waivers. Kriskie worked his way through the first three hitters, striking out two and only one on base. His next pitch, found the barrel of the bat, but was fielded by none other than Keaschall to end the game, and the series. 

What’s Next? 
The Twins get a day off on Thursday, before heading into the third divisional series of the month with the Kansas City Royals at home.  Joe Ryan (10-5; 2.83ERA) will be taking the mound against a pitcher to be named later at 7:10PM CST, Friday.

Postgame Interviews
Coming Soon. 

Bullpen Usage Spreadsheet

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[USAFChief]

I'm calling it right now: screw ROY.

Luke Keaschall 2025 AL MVP. 

[Spiritualized]

Just now, USAFChief said:

I'm calling it right now: screw ROY.

Luke Keaschall 2025 AL MVP. 

I'd buy his jersey if I was sure the Twins wouldn't trade him in the off-season. /s

[jmlease1]

Well, I've been bashing Roden ever since we acquired him, nice to see him have a good game. I'm still unenthusiastic, but hoping to be wrong. maybe I should start getting on someone else for being a quad-A player and see if they respond. I'm sure they're reading and it'll have an impact. 🙄

Keaschall sure is coming out flying. Got to love it. Maybe he puts a charge into the team the way Royce Lewis did when he was first coming up? (please stay healthier, Luke!)

Offense absolutely did the job. Plenty of hits, plenty of walks, only hit into one DP and scored runs in 6 out of the 9 innings. 

Ohl got thumped around, which isn't great to see. Can't give up 3 dingers in less than 3 innings. He's got some things to figure out still, but there are flashes with him. Still...seems more like a long reliever than a realistic starter. But a guy who could give you 2-3 solid innings every 3-4 days has value in today's game, so we'll see how he does. Hatch did a nice job chewing up some innings, though and the first few without the big lead.

Road series win against the division leaders. Sure, why not? :P

[dougd]

Last year on this date Detroit was 54-60 and 14 games behind Cleveland.

[darwin22]

Great to see a series W---first since ASB---with several prospects (Keaschall and Roden) and journeymen (Hatch and Kriskie) contributing in major ways to bring home a victory.

I want to temper my optimism (hope is a dangerous thing) on Keaschall, but this kid is a DUDE! Saw him play 2 games for Wind Surge last year against Cardinals AA team and came away impressed with his quick bat and power.  Moreover, he plays with great enthusiasm and grit.  Reminds me of a lighter version of one of my all-time Twins favorites---the Rat---Gary Gaetti!

Also, quite impressed by the performance of Hatch. Wow!  Where did that come from??  Might be his best performance in his career.  The way he pitched today, he earned some additional opportunities after ownership nuked our bullpen last week.

With Keaschall's impressive return from injury, I'm stoked to see Kalen Culpepper, Gabby Gonzalez and Walker Jenkins next week as I'm making my annual road trip (from KC area) down to Springfield, Mo to see two games next week.  

Taking solace in small victories for the remainder this season.

 

[weitz41]

2 minutes ago, dougd said:

Last year on this date Detroit was 54-60 and 14 games behind Cleveland.

I think you may be implying something... You must have missed the sky is falling post

[Nashvilletwin]

I’m way more interested in watching this lineup than before.  I’ll tune in to watch:

Clemens 1B, DH

Keaschall 2B

Lee SS

Lewis 3B

Wallner RF

Buxton CF

Larnach LF

Rhoden LF, RF, DH, PH

Julien 1B, 2B, DH, PH

Martin CF, LF, PH, PR

Jeffers C, DH

Vasquez C

I also very much enjoy watching our starting rotation.

The bullpen, Gasper and Fitzgerald are at this point another story….

 

[shimrod]

"It’s nice having a SS who can hit — Twins Central (@TwinsCentral1) "

That's just cold.

[shimrod]

33 minutes ago, jmlease1 said:

Ohl got thumped around, which isn't great to see.

Ohl looks ok for an inning or two. Both outings got iffy as he exceeded 50 pitches, seemed to lose command. 

[Parfigliano]

35 minutes ago, jmlease1 said:

Well, I've been bashing Roden ever since we acquired him, nice to see him have a good game. I'm still unenthusiastic, but hoping to be wrong. maybe I should start getting on someone else for being a quad-A player and see if they respond. I'm sure they're reading and it'll have an impact. 🙄

Keaschall sure is coming out flying. Got to love it. Maybe he puts a charge into the team the way Royce Lewis did when he was first coming up? (please stay healthier, Luke!)

Offense absolutely did the job. Plenty of hits, plenty of walks, only hit into one DP and scored runs in 6 out of the 9 innings. 

Ohl got thumped around, which isn't great to see. Can't give up 3 dingers in less than 3 innings. He's got some things to figure out still, but there are flashes with him. Still...seems more like a long reliever than a realistic starter. But a guy who could give you 2-3 solid innings every 3-4 days has value in today's game, so we'll see how he does. Hatch did a nice job chewing up some innings, though and the first few without the big lead.

Road series win against the division leaders. Sure, why not? :P

Put your theory to the ultimate test.....get on Gasper.

[chpettit19]

31 minutes ago, darwin22 said:

Great to see a series W---first since ASB---with several prospects (Keaschall and Roden) and journeymen (Hatch and Kriskie) contributing in major ways to bring home a victory.

I want to temper my optimism (hope is a dangerous thing) on Keaschall, but this kid is a DUDE! Saw him play 2 games for Wind Surge last year against Cardinals AA team and came away impressed with his quick bat and power.  Moreover, he plays with great enthusiasm and grit.  Reminds me of a lighter version of one of my all-time Twins favorites---the Rat---Gary Gaetti!

Also, quite impressed by the performance of Hatch. Wow!  Where did that come from??  Might be his best performance in his career.  The way he pitched today, he earned some additional opportunities after ownership nuked our bullpen last week.

With Keaschall's impressive return from injury, I'm stoked to see Kalen Culpepper, Gabby Gonzalez and Walker Jenkins next week as I'm making my annual road trip (from KC area) down to Springfield, Mo to see two games next week.  

Taking solace in small victories for the remainder this season.

 

I am sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but Gabriel Gonzalez will be in Omaha, NE next week. He's with the Saints now. But enjoy Kaelen and Walker. They're fun to watch.

[SF Twins Fan]

3 minutes ago, chpettit19 said:

I am sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but Gabriel Gonzalez will be in Omaha, NE next week. He's with the Saints now. But enjoy Kaelen and Walker. They're fun to watch.

I wouldn't be surprised if Culpepper and Jenkins end up promoted in the near future either.

[thelanges5]

Playing loose with the weight of expectation off their shoulders. Nice to see some of the young guys stepping up. Certainly been more fun to watch than the previous squad.

[nicksaviking]

3 minutes ago, SF Twins Fan said:

I wouldn't be surprised if Culpepper and Jenkins end up promoted in the near future either.

After the trade deadline I didn't want the top prospects anywhere near the MLB clubhouse as reports were that everyone was pissed and wanted out. I didn't want the team's only hopes for the future tainted with all that pessimism.

But if the lesser prospects (and Keashell) are now given the wheel and having fun getting to play with little to no adult supervision, yeah, call up the big guns too. As long as Baldelli lets them go out there and play 9 innings of baseball instead of trying to overthink it like a chess match pulling them in any random inning he sees fit.

We've seen this for 40 years of Twins baseball. In the years when the kids are running the show, regardless if it's because the franchise is at a low point and no one cares or if it's because the guys in charge are showing trust in them, the young guys tend to have more fun and they all feed off of each other's energy.

[Dman]

After today's game i had to look up Hatch's numbers again.  I thought I might have read about the wrong guy.  Nope, this seems like the best he has pitched in a MLB game in a long time.  When things are going right they just go right.  We'll see if he has found something in the next few games.

Keaschall didn't look that great to me in AAA, but he sure has looked good since he has been back at the MLB level.  Loved his positioning at 2nd and he made strong throws when needed which helped turn a couple of double plays. Oh yeah and he had a couple of doubles and 3 RBI's today. I don't want to jinx the kid, but he does seem to have some Royce in him.

I have been all over Roden, but it was really nice to see him hit that home run and or just make solid contact in general.  I'm still not convinced in his skill set just yet, but am happy I can see and say something positive.

Have to say it is kind of fun watching the kids right now.  We'll see where things are at in a couple of weeks.  With all the good starting pitching and more coming back and if the hitting remains solid then so much for tanking. They could go .500 the rest of the way.,

[rdehring]

Is it possible this team is playing better since the deadline than before?  I don't think Detroit is all that good.  Granted we didn't face Skubal, but that team sure didn't look like a team who could do anything in the playoffs.  

Not saying that I expect this team to go on a run and make the playoffs, like Detroit did last year.  But the last few games were a lot of fun to watch.  Heck, the two losses in Cleveland were one run games that could have gone the Twins way with a couple small changes.

If Buxton is back in a few days and playing like he did before the injury.  That's one more bat that can make a difference.  And love the way some of these new guys are running.

 

[JD-TWINS]

Keaschall - 4 for 9 over first 2 games back with a dinger & 2 doubles ……6 RBI. Wow. …. Friday he’ll steal a base!

Guy looks awfully good to be a fluke!!

‘26: Jeffers - Lewis - Lee - Keaschall - FA@1B/DH  - Larnach - Buxton - Wallner - Gonzalez

FA@Catcher - Roden - Clemens - Martin - Gonzalez

PEN: Sands - Topa - Funderburk - Rojas or Prielipp - Abel or Bradley - Charlie Soto - 2FA’s.

Rotation: Lopez - Ryan - Matthews - Ober - Festa or SWR

I think this is a very competitive Club. The 2 FA’s are key on the offensive side!!!

They took $60-$65M off of this year’s budget, headed into ‘26 they can spend moderately. They’ll spend $8-$10M additional on arbitration guys ………..leaving $30M for 2 offensive guys and $10 for 2 FA pen guys…….still saves $15M off this year’s budget.

[mikelink45]

They have nothing to really play for and they are loose and having fun.  I love it.  Ohl is not showing he is ready, but getting good experience.  Love Keaschall.  Julien was a player I used to love - not so much anymore.  

Detroit on the other hand is up tight.  Since All-Star game they have not been good.  Glad we took them down another notch. 

[nicksaviking]

3 minutes ago, JD-TWINS said:

They took $60-$65M off of this year’s budget, headed into ‘26 they can spend moderately. They’ll spend $8-$10M additional on arbitration guys ………..leaving $30M for 2 offensive guys and $10 for 2 FA pen guys…….still saves $15M off this year’s budget.

If they don't sell this off season, I think they're taking WAAAAY more than 15M off of this years budget. I think the Pohlads are going to want to keep as much money as possible because their real estate businesses are tanking, but also, I think they want clean books to make the team more attractive to new buyers.  Additionally, this organization is a mess, they aren't going to attract players who make much of a dent in the payroll anyway.

And this group will never spend $10M on two bullpen pieces. More like $2M on two bullpen pieces. And that doesn't bother me too much. The best relievers tend to be in-house and only after a bit of trial and error, free agents too often are flakey and get paid only based on a fluky season or two.

[jmlease1]

3 minutes ago, JD-TWINS said:

Keaschall - 4 for 9 over first 2 games back with a dinger & 2 doubles ……6 RBI. Wow. …. Friday he’ll steal a base!

Guy looks awfully good to be a fluke!!

‘26: Jeffers - Lewis - Lee - Keaschall - FA@1B/DH  - Larnach - Buxton - Wallner - Gonzalez

FA@Catcher - Roden - Clemens - Martin - Gonzalez

PEN: Sands - Topa - Funderburk - Rojas or Prielipp - Abel or Bradley - Charlie Soto - 2FA’s.

Rotation: Lopez - Ryan - Matthews - Ober - Festa or SWR

I think this is a very competitive Club. The 2 FA’s are key on the offensive side!!!

They took $60-$65M off of this year’s budget, headed into ‘26 they can spend moderately. They’ll spend $8-$10M additional on arbitration guys ………..leaving $30M for 2 offensive guys and $10 for 2 FA pen guys…….still saves $15M off this year’s budget.

Charlee Soto is on the injured list and has never pitched above A-ball; he will NOT be in the twins 'pen next season. Rojas has 5 outings above A ball; expecting him to be in the bullpen in 2026, especially when he's being developed as a starter, is also absurd. Maybe one of Abel or Bradley ends up in the bullpen, but since that trashes the value of the trade by a lot...seems unlikely So we still need 4 bullpen slots to get filled, and the only ones on your list here that might be considered for end-game status are Sands (who took a step back this season) and Prielipp (a rookie who hasn't pitched above AA yet). 

Needing 4 guys for the bullpen and 2 key adds to the lineup while keeping Larnach (and if you do, it's a pretty LH lineup again) makes this a stretch to begin with, and it's also premised on Roden actually being good (he's had 1 good game as a twin), GG being ready, and a small sample of Keaschall (who I love but come on) being who he might be.

Even crazier is anticipating any spending at all until the team is sold.

I'm happy to see the team scrapping and thrilled to see Keaschall put a charge in everyone, but I'm not saying anything about this team looks competitive after a good week, especially not until this team is sold.

[LastOnePicked]

1 hour ago, USAFChief said:

I'm calling it right now: screw ROY.

Luke Keaschall 2025 AL MVP. 

Oh, you haven't heard? Twins just petitioned to extend the trade deadline. Apparently, they traded him this morning to the Savannah Bananas for a promising catcher.

[Hubie29]

1 hour ago, USAFChief said:

I'm calling it right now: screw ROY.

Luke Keaschall 2025 AL MVP. 

Keaschall has star written all over him. I really like him. 

[Hubie29]

When did the Twins hire the comedy duo Roden and Martin? 

[Hubie29]

29 minutes ago, JD-TWINS said:

Keaschall - 4 for 9 over first 2 games back with a dinger & 2 doubles ……6 RBI. Wow. …. Friday he’ll steal a base!

Guy looks awfully good to be a fluke!!

‘26: Jeffers - Lewis - Lee - Keaschall - FA@1B/DH  - Larnach - Buxton - Wallner - Gonzalez

FA@Catcher - Roden - Clemens - Martin - Gonzalez

PEN: Sands - Topa - Funderburk - Rojas or Prielipp - Abel or Bradley - Charlie Soto - 2FA’s.

Rotation: Lopez - Ryan - Matthews - Ober - Festa or SWR

I think this is a very competitive Club. The 2 FA’s are key on the offensive side!!!

They took $60-$65M off of this year’s budget, headed into ‘26 they can spend moderately. They’ll spend $8-$10M additional on arbitration guys ………..leaving $30M for 2 offensive guys and $10 for 2 FA pen guys…….still saves $15M off this year’s budget.

Here we go again. 

[Hubie29]

1 hour ago, Nashvilletwin said:

I’m way more interested in watching this lineup than before.  I’ll tune in to watch:

Clemens 1B, DH

Keaschall 2B

Lee SS

Lewis 3B

Wallner RF

Buxton CF

Larnach LF

Rhoden LF, RF, DH, PH

Julien 1B, 2B, DH, PH

Martin CF, LF, PH, PR

Jeffers C, DH

Vasquez C

I also very much enjoy watching our starting rotation.

The bullpen, Gasper and Fitzgerald are at this point another story….

 

Exactly. Win or lose its nice to be done with the old vet primas. Loved all the trades just to get rid of everybody. 

[Vanimal46]

Roman Anthony was signed to an 8/$130 extension today. What would it take to lock in Keaschall right now? It might be something to look into… Would 8/$100 million get it done today?

[mnfireman]

14 minutes ago, Vanimal46 said:

Roman Anthony was signed to an 8/$130 extension today. What would it take to lock in Keaschall right now? It might be something to look into… Would 8/$100 million get it done today?

A little early for that kind of talk...especially with the potential sale of the team

[Vanimal46]

1 minute ago, mnfireman said:

A little early for that kind of talk...especially with the potential sale of the team

Wishful thinking I know with the ownership situation. But around the league more teams are locking in young, exciting talent. Keaschall just might be one of those type of players like Anthony, Chourio, etc. 

[TheLeviathan]

Days like today are why I really wanted a selloff.  I don't endorse all the moves (Varland for sure) but this team needed a makeover.  They have been largely terrible for a long time.

These last six games have just felt different.  I don't expect them to play above .500 ball or even .500 ball, but hopefully they keep fielding lineups that pressure the opposition and make them work.