Comerica Park in Detroit had turned into the Minnesota Twins' personal house of horrors.
Through their first four games there this year, the Twins managed a whopping total of two runs in the Tigers' home park. One of those came in Tuesday's 2-1 extra-innings loss to their American League Central foe. The other was back in the final game of the first series of the year. Minnesota was held scoreless in that series until the seventh inning of the third game -- 24 scoreless innings.
Finally, the Twins experienced a breakthrough at Comerica Park. Minnesota used a five-run third inning to earn its first win in Detroit this year, a 6-2 victory over the Tigers.
Minnesota's offense had been so good for much of the season after that first series, averaging 6.6 runs per game on its recent 11-game homestand. Tuesday's one-run effort was a flashback to that first trip to Detroit.
Wednesday's game was more of what the Twins expect of their lineup.
"That's a good ballclub over there. I know first-hand," said Twins outfielder and former Tiger Torii Hunter, who opened the scoring Wednesday with a solo homer. "We scored six runs early. It's one of those teams where you've got to keep battling. You've got to put the knee in the backs and keep fighting."
The Twins' big five-run inning off Tigers starter Kyle Lobstein was punctuated by a bases-clearing triple off the bat of Minnesota first baseman Joe Mauer. It was the second triple of the year for Mauer and the 23rd of his career, but the first time he hit one with the bases loaded. His triple to the gap in right-center scored Aaron Hicks, Danny Santana and Hunter to put the Twins up 4-0. Those three runs driven in by Mauer equaled what Minnesota had scored in Detroit in its previous 38 innings.
Mauer came to the plate with the bases full after Hunter drew a four-pitch walk ahead of him. With a 2-1 count, Mauer jumped on an 80 mph cutter from Lobstein to clear the bases with one of his biggest hits of the year. In fact, it could be argued that Mauer's two biggest hits this season have been triples; his other triple in 2015 was of the go-ahead variety in a Minnesota win against Seattle earlier this year.
"Obviously with the bases loaded, you want to get a good pitch and I was able to get one and put it where they weren't," Mauer said after Wednesday's game. "That was good to come through right there.
One pitch after Mauer's triple, Trevor Plouffe followed with a triple of his own to the same part of the park, driving in Mauer for a 5-0 lead. Plouffe then came home when the next batter, catcher Kurt Suzuki, doubled to left-center field for Minnesota's third extra-base hit in as many batters. That chased Lobstein from the game after the Twins hung a crooked number on the left-hander in just three innings.
That sixth run, however, was the last time Minnesota's offense scored. The Twins' pitchers -- a combination of Ricky Nolasco and the bullpen -- had to hang on despite a 6-0 lead. Nolasco surrendered two runs, although both were unearned after an uncharacteristic error by second baseman Brian Dozier.
When all was said and done Wednesday, the Twins finished with six runs on 12 hits, including three triples -- Dozier added a triple in the ninth inning. It was the first time Minnesota had three triples in a game since Denard Span hit three of his own on June 19, 2010.
The Twins had several chances to score in Tuesday's series opener but failed to take advantage, finishing 0 for 8 with runners in scoring position. That wasn't a problem Wednesday, and the end result was a win to take the second game of the series.
"A little different than last night when we got that opportunity early. We capitalized," Twins manager Paul Molitor said. "It was a good win, obviously. It gives us a chance to win the series tomorrow."
FOX Sports North's Marney Gellner contributed to this report.
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