Minnesota News Network

  • Home
  • MNN Reporter Team
  • News
    • Politics & Government
    • Crime & Court
    • Health
    • Business
    • Entertainment
    • Weather & Natural Disaster
  • Sports
    • Gophers
    • Twins
    • Wild
    • Timberwolves & Lynx
    • Vikings
  • Minnesota Matters
  • Contact Us
    • Advertise with us
  • Affiliates
    • Affiliate Support
You are here: Home / Sports / Minnesota Twins at Detroit tonight

Minnesota Twins at Detroit tonight

September 13, 2016 By Minnesota News Network

molitor

Molitor

Paul Molitor isn’t particularly fond of the spoiler’s role.

The Minnesota manager had his team in playoff contention much of last season. This year, the Twins are wallowing in last place in the American League Central.

They have an opportunity to diminish the Detroit Tigers’ drive for a postseason spot during a four-game series this week. Molitor doubts that his team will gain extra motivation from that. Minnesota lost the opener on Monday night, 4-2.

“We’ve talked a little bit over the last few weeks about the spoiler role,” he said. “Some players might draw upon that somewhat, when you’re playing a team that’s trying to get in the postseason. The game highlights will probably be shown. Who knows how certain players respond to that?

“I never really took a lot of pleasure in being someone who wasn’t in the race and beat teams that were trying to get in the postseason. You’re going out there and trying to play your best game, regardless of whether it’s spring training, April, September or the World Series.”

The Twins (53-91) have been an easy mark for the Tigers this season. Detroit (77-66) is now 11-2 against Minnesota while averaging 5.8 runs per game. Ian Kinsler and Miguel Cabrera had solo homers in Monday’s game, helping the Tigers pull within one game of the Baltimore Orioles in the race for the second American League wild card.

“They’ve swung the bats well against us,” Molitor said. “(Justin) Upton had a slow start, and he’s killed us. Cabrera has always kind of been a Twins killer. Victor (Martinez), J.D. (Martinez) — they seem to swing the bats well against us. The have a really nice, balanced lineup.”

Minnesota’s lineup was weakened Monday by the absence of first baseman Joe Mauer, who is batting a quad injury. Mauer also missed Sunday’s game against the Cleveland Indians and will sit out the Tuesday game against Detroit left-hander Matt Boyd.

“I’m going to probably re-evaluate where he’s at in terms of getting a start on Wednesday,” Molitor said. “We’ll see if 72 hours gives him a little bit of improved health with that leg.”

Twins third baseman Miguel Sano left the Monday game due to lower back tightness.  Molitor described the situation on Sano last night:

https://cdn.minnesotanewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/mdgpaul091316d.mp3

Minnesota right-hander Kyle Gibson, who lost his only start against Detroit this season, will be on the mound Tuesday. Gibson (5-9, 5.34 ERA) is 3-5 with a 5.44 ERA in 10 career starts against the Tigers.

Boyd (5-3, 3.89 ERA) has won both of his starts against Minnesota this season, posting a 2.25 ERA and 14 strikeouts in those outings.

Boyd gave up two homers to the Twins on Aug. 24 in a 9-4 Detroit victory.

“They’ve got some solid bats in that lineup,” he said. “They’ve got guys with experience, and they’ve got a lot of (young) guys with a lot of talent. I’ve got to attack the zone, use all four pitches and keep doing what I’ve been doing.”

Keeping his emotions in check in a pivotal game for his team will be a key for the second-year pitcher.

“It’s awesome to be in a race like this, and it’s awesome to have a chance to start at home in the process of that,” he said. “I’m not taking it for granted, but I’ve got to look at it as just another start.”

The Tigers could be without Upton. He departed the Monday game because of a left calf strain.

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Filed Under: Sports

compeer financial celebrates beef month

compeer financial celebrates beef month

FOLLOW US ON TWITTER

Minnesota News Network Follow 12,768 1,275

Long time legendary statewide network providing relevant award-winning news/sports/ag information & compelling audio content to 100+ radio stations in Minnesota

MinnesotaRadio
MinnesotaRadio avatar; Minnesota News Network @MinnesotaRadio ·
15 Sep 1702692643703070784

‘Minnesota Matters 9-15-23’ by Learfield News Ag is on #SoundCloud

Twitter feed video.
Reply on Twitter 1702692643703070784 Retweet on Twitter 1702692643703070784 0 Like on Twitter 1702692643703070784 1 Twitter 1702692643703070784
Retweet on Twitter Minnesota News Network Retweeted
TalkNorthPod avatar; Talk North @TalkNorthPod ·
13 Sep 1701928965232075185

The Go Gopher Podcast with Mike Grimm - Episode #87

With @dragan_serb8, who booted the game-winning kick to open the season!

BTYB:

@sunbeltmidwest
From Aquarius Home Services Studio
True North M&A
@InsureChamplin
@Affinity_Plus
@HeadFlyerBrew
@cubfoods

Reply on Twitter 1701928965232075185 Retweet on Twitter 1701928965232075185 2 Like on Twitter 1701928965232075185 3 Twitter 1701928965232075185
MinnesotaRadio avatar; Minnesota News Network @MinnesotaRadio ·
8 Sep 1700150244091019334

‘Minnesota Matters 9-8-23’ by Learfield News Ag is on #SoundCloud

Twitter feed video.
Reply on Twitter 1700150244091019334 Retweet on Twitter 1700150244091019334 0 Like on Twitter 1700150244091019334 3 Twitter 1700150244091019334
MinnesotaRadio avatar; Minnesota News Network @MinnesotaRadio ·
7 Sep 1699706755935072527

Canterbury Park has big day on Saturday

Image for twitter card

Canterbury Park has big day on Saturday - Minnesota News Network

Canterbury Park will celebrate the Minnesota breeding and horse racing industry on Saturday, Sept. 9 with the 30th ...

minnesotanewsnetwork.com

Reply on Twitter 1699706755935072527 Retweet on Twitter 1699706755935072527 2 Like on Twitter 1699706755935072527 6 Twitter 1699706755935072527
Load More

Former Gopher Al Nolen named new radio network analyst

Gopher Sports Properties, the locally based team of LEARFIELD, in conjunction with the University of Minnesota Department of Intercollegiate Athletics announced today the hiring of Al Nolen as the color commentator for Golden Gopher men’s basketball radio broadcasts this upcoming season. Nolen replaces longtime color analyst Spencer Tollackson, who held that role for the previous 14 […]

Gophers tabbed Big Ten hockey favorites

Coming off an NCAA runner-up finish and its second-straight Big Ten Conference championship, the University of Minnesota men’s hockey team was picked atop the 2023-24 preseason poll as announced by the league office Monday. Six Golden Gophers also were honored as Preseason All-B1G selections with Jimmy Snuggerud and Luke Mittelstadt landing on the first team, […]

Vikes trade for RB Akers

(Eagan, MN) — The Minnesota Vikings announce the team has traded a conditional sixth-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft in exchange for RB Cam Akers and a conditional seventh-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. The completion of this trade is pending Akers passing a physical. Akers, who is in his fourth season, joins […]

Follow us on Facebook

Follow us on Facebook

Copyright © 2023 · Learfield News & Ag, LLC