The Tigers played three tough games against the Twins and came out victorious in two.

Mon 4/27: Tigers 5 – Twins 4

With Rajai Davis out resting an injury, Brad Ausmus moved around the top of the batting order for the first time this season. Jose Iglesias was slotted into the 2-spot and provided instantly, hitting a line drive home run in the 1st inning.

was slotted into the 2-spot and provided instantly, hitting a line drive home run in the 1st inning. The Tigers were ahead from the beginning, but missed many opportunities to add to the lead. Ian Kinsler , Victor Martinez , and Miguel Cabrera each hit into a double play in the 2nd, 3rd, and 5th innings, respectively.

, , and each hit into a double play in the 2nd, 3rd, and 5th innings, respectively. Joba Chamberlain came into the game in the 8th inning and gave up a leadoff double to Joe Mauer. With two outs, Mauer came around to score and tighten the Tigers lead to 5-4, but the Twins would not score agian.

Tue 4/28: Twins 3 – Tigers 2

The Tigers had the first two men reach base in the 3rd inning, but were quickly reduced to just a man on third after a Jose Iglesias double play. Anthony Gose was able to knock in Alex Avila with two outs to give the Tigers the early advantage.

was able to knock in Alex Avila with two outs to give the Tigers the early advantage. Anibal Sanchez pitched well for most of the game, but gave up hits to three of the first four batters in the bottom of the 7th inning. The Twins scored 2 runs which put them ahead for the rest of the game.

pitched well for most of the game, but gave up hits to three of the first four batters in the bottom of the 7th inning. The Twins scored 2 runs which put them ahead for the rest of the game. Al Alburquerque came on with one out in the 8th inning and was fortunate to not give up any runs. He allowed a single and a walk and looked very questionable overall, not inspiring much confidence in his use from the bullpen.

Wed 4/29: Tigers 10 – Twins 7

In the 5th inning, the Tigers erased a two-run deficit thanks to three straight doubles by Yoenis Cespedes , Nick Castellanos , and James McCann . After an Andrew Romine single, the Tigers had runners on the corners with no outs but failed to score any more runs.

, , and . After an Andrew Romine single, the Tigers had runners on the corners with no outs but failed to score any more runs. One inning later, the Tigers were down 7-3 but again came back to tie the score. Miguel Cabrera and JD Martinez launched solo shots, and McCann hit an inside-the-parker for his first career home run.

and launched solo shots, and hit an inside-the-parker for his first career home run. The Tigers finally grabbed the lead for good in the 8th inning. Singles by Cespedes, McCann, and Romine (who went 4/4 on the day) pushed the Tigers ahead at 8-7.

Miguel Cabrera had a quality series, capped off by his 2 huge home runs on Wednesday and a double that just missed clearing the fence. He was 4/12 over the three games and added 4 RBI, putting his average at .370.

had a quality series, capped off by his 2 huge home runs on Wednesday and a double that just missed clearing the fence. He was 4/12 over the three games and added 4 RBI, putting his average at .370. Still recovering from his injury, Victor Martinez had another tough series. He went just 1/12 and is hitting just .213 on the season.

had another tough series. He went just 1/12 and is hitting just .213 on the season. Yoenis Cespedes has perhaps the best opportunity for RBIs of any player anywhere, hitting behind three of the best batters in baseball. He hit a 3-run homer on Monday and currently has 17 RBI, ranking among the top ten in the league.

has perhaps the best opportunity for RBIs of any player anywhere, hitting behind three of the best batters in baseball. He hit a 3-run homer on Monday and currently has 17 RBI, ranking among the top ten in the league. On Monday, Jose Iglesias had an impressive showing, ending up a double short of the cycle. Wednesday, James McCann matched his feat, just needing a triple for a cycle of his own.

had an impressive showing, ending up a double short of the cycle. Wednesday, matched his feat, just needing a triple for a cycle of his own. One negative area for the Tigers was the myriad of baserunning mistakes during the series. Cabrera, JD Martinez, and Andrew Romine were all were thrown out attempting to steal bases or tagged out after being picked off. McCann was also thrown out trying to score from third on a groundout.

David Price pitched much better than in his last outing, although he was not as efficient as in some of his starts. Price only went 6-1/3 innings and gave up 3 runs, but he did strike out 7 batters.

pitched much better than in his last outing, although he was not as efficient as in some of his starts. Price only went 6-1/3 innings and gave up 3 runs, but he did strike out 7 batters. An encouraging trend early this season has been the effectiveness of Joakim Soria in the 9th inning. After notching saves on Monday and Wednesday, he is now a perfect 9 for 9 on the year.

in the 9th inning. After notching saves on Monday and Wednesday, he is now a perfect 9 for 9 on the year. Although he was credited with the loss, Anibal Sanchez had a decent outing. He did surrender 9 hits and 3 runs, but he limited the Twins well for the first 6 innings. Sanchez recorded 6 K without giving up a walk.

had a decent outing. He did surrender 9 hits and 3 runs, but he limited the Twins well for the first 6 innings. Sanchez recorded 6 K without giving up a walk. Shane Greene started off the game alright and tallied 8 strikeouts, but his pitch count was trending higher. However, the Twins got to him in the 4th and 5th innings, plating 7 total runs. Greene only lasted 4-1/3 innings and gave up 2 HR.

started off the game alright and tallied 8 strikeouts, but his pitch count was trending higher. However, the Twins got to him in the 4th and 5th innings, plating 7 total runs. Greene only lasted 4-1/3 innings and gave up 2 HR. After Greene’s departure, the Tigers bullpen was very strong and did not give up a run. Blaine Hardy, Angel Nesbitt, and Tom Gorzelanny combined to pitch 3-2/3 innings while only allowing 3 baserunners and striking out 4.

UP NEXT & EXPECTED STARTERS

The Tigers travel to Kansas City to face the division rival Royals in a key early season match-up.

Thu 4/30, 8:10 pm- Simon vs. Duffy

Fri 5/1, 8:10 pm- Lobstein vs. TBA

Sat 5/2, 7:10 pm- Price vs. Volquez

Sun 5/3, 2:10 pm- Sanchez vs. Vargas