Tigers belt trio of home runs, sink Twins in doubleheader opener

MINNEAPOLIS — John Hicks hit a tiebreaking homer in the ninth inning, Ronny Rodríguez went deep twice and the Detroit Tigers beat the Minnesota Twins 5-3 on Saturday in the opener of a doubleheader.

Brandon Dixon also homered for the Tigers, who beat the AL Central-leading Twins for the first time this season and snapped Minnesota’s four-game winning streak.

The Twins tied it 3-3 in the eighth when C.J. Cron homered off Joe Jimenez (2-1) before Hicks connected on the first pitch from reliever Trevor Hildenberger (2-2). Detroit added an insurance run on Christin Stewart’s RBI single to right.

Shane Greene pitched a scoreless ninth to earn his AL-leading 14th save.

Spencer Turnbull allowed two runs in 5 2/3 innings for Detroit. He departed after Jason Castro’s homer, which followed a successful challenge that backfired for Detroit. Castro took first base, appearing to be hit by a pitch from Turnbull. The Tigers challenged the call, and it was ruled the ball hit Castro’s bat. He returned to the batter’s box and launched his fifth homer of the season.

Michael Pineda allowed three runs in six-plus innings, departing after allowing a pair of singles to open the seventh. He gave up both of Rodríguez’s homers and did not issue a walk for the second time in eight starts this season.

Tigers manager Ron Gardenhire, the former Minnesota skipper, was ejected in the bottom of the third by home plate umpire Hunter Wendelstedt for arguing balls and strikes, drawing cheers from Twins fans. It was the 79th ejection of Gardenhire’s career.

Saturday’s doubleheader was scheduled to make up a game that was postponed on April 12 because of blizzard-like conditions. Rain fell briefly during the opener. It was enough to send fans scurrying for cover, but the game was not delayed.

ROSTER MOVES

Detroit added LHP Gregory Soto from Double-A Erie as the 26th man for the doubleheader. Minnesota placed Martín Pérez on the paternity list and recalled RHP Kohl Stewart from Triple-A Rochester to start the second game. The Twins added RHP Tyler Duffey as the 26th man.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Tigers: Detroit reinstated LHP Blaine Hardy from the 10-day injured list. He had been on the IL since April 22 with a left forearm strain. To make room on the 25-man roster, the Tigers optioned RHP Eduardo Jiménez to Triple-A Toledo.

Twins: Manager Rocco Baldelli wasn’t too worried about infielder Marwin González, who suffered a facial contusion Friday during a collision with Detroit first baseman Niko Goodrum. González sat out the opener but was expected to play the nightcap.

UP NEXT

Tigers: Soto was set to make his major league debut in the second game.

Twins: Stewart was set for his second start of the year with Minnesota.