Spencer Torkelson played the hero in the 12th inning for the Detroit Tigers, delivering the game-winning moment in an 11-6 victory over the Minnesota Twins late on Wednesday night and avoiding a series sweep. The Tigers were desperate to get the taste of two earlier debacles out of their mouths, and man, did they ever get it done in a wild one.
Early Fireworks and Rookie Blues
This game was a total rollercoaster from the jump! Kevin McGonigle grounded out to start, then Hao-Yu Lee struck out. But then Colt Keith lined a single, and though Riley Greene popped out, the Tigers were showing signs of life. Drew Anderson’s outing started off a bit rough, drilling Luke Keaschall with a fastball on his second pitch. Rookie Colt Keith had a tough moment with an error on a Kody Clemens grounder, but Anderson managed to escape with a sweet 6-4-3 double play. In the second, Eduardo Valencia ripped a long single, and after Brett Callahan struck out, Max Clark absolutely hammered a double down the right field line. That put two in scoring position for John Peck, who worked a full count and then smashed a hanging cutter off the wall in left center. That was a two-run double for Peck, his first major league hit and his first RBIs all in one swing! Tigers were up 2-0. Zach McKinstry grounded out, but then McGonigle, “The Rookie, as opposed to the rookies,” popped out to end the frame. Anderson kept battling, even with another sharply hit ball that kicked off Keith’s glove, before locking up Royce Lewis with a fastball for strike three in the third.
Bullpen Battles and a Long Night
Kremer bounced back for the Twins in the third, making Hao-Yu Lee, Keith, and Greene all work for their outs. But man, the bullpen work later in the game was shaky for both sides. The source even called it “bad bullpen work” and “more shaky bullpen work,” which just about sums up how chaotic this game got. You could feel the tension as the innings just kept ticking by, pushing past regulation and into extras. The Tigers absolutely needed to stave off this sweep, and after all the defensive miscues and the back-and-forth, someone had to step up. Who else but Spencer Torkelson? He sealed the deal with those 12th inning heroics, making sure the Tigers walked away with an 11-6 win.
What a game. After two rough losses, the Tigers really needed this one to clear their heads and put some good vibes back in the clubhouse. They got the taste of those debacles out, alright, and it took 12 innings of absolute grit to do it.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bless You Boys.
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