DETROIT -- A couple of frustrating trends continued for Zebby Matthews and the Twins in a 7-2 loss to the Tigers on Wednesday at Comerica Park, the finale of a disappointing six-game road trip.
Matthews’ woes in the first inning and on the road both popped up in the right-hander’s shortest start of the year. Matthews was chased after 2 1/3 innings, allowing five runs on just two hits and four walks.
Detroit jumped on Matthews early, when he walked Hao-Yu Lee with one out in the first and Colt Keith followed with a home run. It was the seventh first-inning homer Matthews has allowed in 21 starts this season. He got through the second without incident, but walked three of the first five batters in the third and was removed for reliever Travis Adams.
Matthews has lasted five or fewer innings eight times this season, and seven of those games have come away from Target Field.
Meanwhile it was a quiet day for the Twins offense, held to a pair of solo homers by Keider Montero and a string of Detroit relievers. Minnesota fell five games behind the Guardians for the final American League Wild Card spot pending Cleveland’s evening result, with 16 games to play.
The Guardians come to Target Field for a three-game series starting Friday.