Spencer Torkelson hit a two-run homer as part of a five-run 12th inning, and the Detroit Tigers pulled away for an 11-6 win over the Minnesota Twins on Wednesday in Minneapolis.
John Peck doubled and singled for his first major league hits while driving in three runs for Detroit (64-75), which staved off a three-game sweep. Javier Baez capped the 12th-inning rally with a three-run double, and Max Clark finished with three doubles and three runs.
Royce Lewis tallied two RBIs to lead the Twins (67-73), whose three-game winning streak ended. Trevor Larnach and Ryan Jeffers each hit an RBI double, and Brooks Lee finished 3-for-6.
Tigers reliever Kyle Finnegan (3-0) struck out three in two innings, allowing one unearned run on two hits.
Twins reliever Tommy Nance (2-3) gave up five runs (four earned) on three hits in 1 1/3 innings. He was the last of eight pitchers on the evening for Minnesota.
The score was tied at 6-all entering the 12th inning when Torkelson provided the go-ahead blast. The leadoff two-run shot over the wall in left field marked his 21st homer of the season.
Later in the inning, Baez bumped the lead to 11-6. He stepped to the plate with the bases loaded and two outs, and he came through with a bases-clearing double to right.
The game was even 5-5 after nine innings, and both teams scored one run in the 11th. Detroit went on top on an RBI double from Clark, and Minnesota’s Luke Keaschall leveled the game with a run-scoring single.
Minnesota trailed by three runs entering the eighth inning before rallying against the Detroit bullpen. Tigers reliever Drew Sommers exited with the bases loaded and one out. Victor Caratini drew a walk from Kenley Jansen to cut the deficit to 5-3, and Lewis tied the game with a hard-hit, two-run single to center.
The Tigers pounced on the Twins for a pair of runs in the second inning. Eduardo Valencia singled, and Max Clark doubled with one out, and Peck delivered a two-run double to center.
Peck, a 24-year-old shortstop, was playing in his third major league game.
The Tigers increased their lead to 5-1 before the Twins cut into the deficit in the sixth on an RBI double by Larnach.