MINNEAPOLIS -- Nobody thought Byron Buxton and Luke Keaschall would struggle all year, or even all month. But it was still quite a relief when they both broke out in the same game.
The Twins learned that their lineup looks a lot better when their two best hitters produce, claiming a 7-3 win over the Tigers on a frigid Monday night at Target Field. Buxton broke an 0-for-20 slide with a leadoff double that sparked a three-run third inning, and Keaschall walked twice and hit his first homer of the year to give the Twins the lead for good.
The Minnesota lineup still isn’t humming along at full song, as nine stranded baserunners will attest. But after being held to one run each in the Twins’ last two losses, getting a couple of crooked numbers behind strong performances from Buxton and Keaschall felt awfully good.
Joe Ryan tossed five innings for the win, looking imperious for the first three before grinding through the last two. The Twins bullpen took it from there, dodging trouble but securing a needed home win.