Twins 4, Tigers 1: K-Rod spoils Justin Verlander’s outstanding performance

Justin Verlander delivered to the tune of eight sparkling innings. Unfortunately, the offense was on vacation and K-Rod botched the ninth. As a result, the Tigers lost 4-1 to the Twins, handing them the series in disappointing fashion on a game that was easily winnable.

Wednesday’s game started out well and good. Verlander allowed a one-out home run to Joe Mauer and then Ian Kinsler took Ervin Santana deep on the first pitch of the game. After that, though, the game was rather docile. Verlander would give up just one hit for the next seven innings while the Tigers couldn’t drive in runs on the few scoring chances they had.

For his part, Verlander made the Twins look foolish with little effort and had the benefit of stellar defense behind him. He gave up just two hits in all, striking out nine and walking two. Santana wouldn’t make it past seven, but it was Francisco Rodriguez who blinked. He gave up a two-out solo homer to Max Kepler in the ninth and then allowed a two-run homer, securing the loss.

ROARS:

Justin Velander: Eight innings with two hits allowed and one run — a solo shot with one out in the first.

Ian Kinsler: Responded with a home run of his own, tying the game in the bottom of the first.

HISSES:

Tigers offense: Apart from Kinsler’s homer, the Tigers did nothing. They squandered their few scoring chances, including a two-on situation in the eighth.

Francisco Rodriguez: Struggled with his command and paid for it. Max Kepler drilled a solo shot to right field, putting the Twins up 2-1 in the ninth. Then he gave up a two-run homer.

STATS AND INFO:

• Ian Kinsler’s home run is his fourth leadoff homer of the season and the 36th of his career, eighth-most in MLB history. His last was on July 15 against the Royals.
• Miguel Cabrera’s two-hit game gave him 1,592 hits with the Tigers, 11th-most in team history. The single in the eighth gave him sole possession, passing Bill Freehan for the spot.
• Justin Verlander’s nine strikeouts gives him 2,082 for his career, tying him with Bobo Newsom for 66th in MLB history. In doing so, he passed Fernando Valenzuela (2,074), Ryan Dempster (2,075) and Tim Hudson (2,080) on the list.
• Some moron ran onto the field and interrupted the Tigers’ game.

WIN PROBABILITY GRAPH: