Báez provides spark as Tigers rally past Twins to salvage series split

Right-hander Jason Foley locked down the ninth for his fourth save. But there was drama. He walked pinch-hitter Matt Wallner and then Edouard Julien with two outs. That brought up Ryan Jeffers, who menaced the Tigers all series, collecting six hits in the last three games.

But Foley got him to ground out to end the game.

"That one was special," said Tigers' starter Jack Flaherty who posted a quality start allowing three runs in 6.1 innings. "And it started with Javy. That was a huge swing and from the there the guys kept tacking on runs. Up and down everyone contributed.

"That's tough when you are down three runs in the eighth inning and come back and win. These are the ones that you will enjoy the entire year."

Flaherty struggled to get ahead of hitters in the first couple of innings, especially in a 31-pitch second when he walked two and gave up a two-out, two-run single to Jeffers. In the fourth inning, Twins catcher Christian Vazquez clipped a first-pitch slider and knocked it over the wall in left.

But something clicked after that. Flaherty’s fastball started to tick up. He was sitting at 93-94 mph early but in the fifth and sixth innings, he started ripping 96- and 97-mph heaters. He started getting ahead in counts, too, which made his slider and knuckle-curve more effective.

"Just started moving better," said Flaherty, who struck out eight. "At some point, you just start ripping it. It was one of those things. I started moving better. I got a little pissed off (in the second inning) but I was able to translate it the right way.

"Once I got going and stepped on the gas, things started coming out better."

Hinch said he didn't think anything about his milestone win until the players, one by one, starting coming up and congratulating him.

"Yeah, Chafe (Andrew Chafin) just told me I'm getting old," Hinch said. "I've been around a little bit. But that was awesome."

The 800 wins puts Hinch fourth now among active big-league managers

"I appreciate it," he said. "These wins are hard to come by at this level. I've been so fortunate to have the opportunity to be a leader and a manager. You take any win but this one means a little more."

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