Twins 6, Tigers 2: Kyle Lobstein gets shelled

DETROIT -- Kyle Lobstein came crashing back to earth, giving up six runs before the third inning had ended. The offense was, again, nearly a no-show. So despite a solid outing by the bullpen, particularly that of Alex Wilson, the Tigers lost 6-2 to the Twins, tying the series.

Lobstein got canned before the third inning had ended. A home run to former Tiger Torii Hunter in the first inning started a short-lived outing, and while he had a 1-2-3 second, the Twins ruined his night shortly thereafter. After loading the bases, Lobstein served up back-to-back triples before an RBI double ended his night.

Alex Wilson replaced Lobstein and pitched 3-2/3 clean innings, striking out three and giving up just two hits. Al Alburquerque put up a scoreless inning with one hit allowed, before starting the eighth and giving up a hit to the leadoff batter, ending his night. Blaine Hardy finished the eighth on a double play and a flyout to center. Tom Gorzelanny gave up a two-out triple in the ninth, the third of the night for the Twins.

As for the offense ... what offense? Twins starter Ricky Nolasco, who in outings past had been lit up by the Tigers, made short work of his foe, allowing just four hits in 5-1/3 innings of work. Not a particularly long outing, and he did put two on before being taken out in the sixth, but only J.D. Martinez and Jose Iglesias got hits off Nolasco until the single by Ian Kinsler. And despite a one-out, bases-loaded opportunity in the seventh, the Tigers waved at that chance as well. Threat over.

ROARS:

J.D. Martinez: Was one of two batters to get hits off Nolasco through five innings. Jose Iglesias and J.D., who got not one, but two hits off the righthander. The pitch before Martinez's second hit landed well within the strike zone and J.D. should've been called out, but home plate umpire Chris Guccione gifted him a ball and it went for a hit on the next pitch.

Alex Wilson: Stopped the bleeding when Lobstein couldn't buy an out. He gave the Tigers 3-2/3 innings of two-hit ball, striking out three batters and not allowing a run.

The bullpen: The bullpen kept the Tigers in the game. The offense just didn't show up again. But the bullpen -- especially Wilson -- kept the Twins to just five hits over 6 2/3 innings pitched. The two-out triple given up by Gorzelanny in the ninth

HISSES:

Kyle Lobstein: Got shelled. Allowed six runs on seven hits, including a home run to Torii Hunter in the first inning. He retired one batter in the third, before getting tattooed for back-to-back triples and a double, all scoring runs.

Tigers offense: Same crap, different day.

STREAKS AND STATS:

• Yoenis Cespedes' assist in the first inning gave him 38 outfield assists since his debut in 2012, which is second-most in MLB during that time period. Only Kansas City Royals leftfielder Alex Gordon has more, with 44.
• The Tigers grounded into their 33rd double play of the season, which continues to lead MLB.
• Victor Martinez struck out three times Wednesday night for just the second time in his Tigers career, and his time since May 12, 2013.
• Jose Iglesias' two-hit day marked his seventh multi-hit game of the season.

WIN PROBABILITY GRAPH:

Source: FanGraphs