It was the second time in Mize’s injury-interrupted career that he went at least six innings without allowing a run. And, it was his first win since Aug. 24, 2021.

Buddy Kennedy, just called up from Triple-A Toledo on Saturday, provided the offensive spark. He knocked in a run with a sacrifice fly in the first inning and then, with two outs and a runner on in the third, he lashed a center-cut cutter into the left-field seats. His second big-league homer gave the Tigers a four-run lead.

The Tigers took advantage of the command issues of Twins’ starter Louie Varland. He walked three hitters in the first inning, throwing more balls (21) than strikes (18).

Kerry Carpenter singled in one run, extending his hitting streak to seven games and his RBI streak to six games. The RBI streak is the longest by a Tiger since Justin Upton knocked in runs in six straight back in 2017.

Spencer Torkelson, still looking for his first homer this season, missed one by inches in the seventh inning. He hit a laser, 106.5 mph off his bat, that left a mark in the padding on the left field wall. It was his fourth-hardest hit ball this season, It ended up being a double, scoring Riley Greene from first.

Torkelson who also singled, had exit velocities of 102, 104 and 106.5 mph — three of the top 12 hardest balls he’s hit this season. His sacrifice fly in the ninth again plated Greene. His 10 RBIs are second only to Carpenter (13) this season.

Shortstop Javier Báez also had an active game. He walked and stole a base in the second inning. He also advanced to third on a flyout by Jake Rogers, though he was stranded. He singled in the fourth, advanced to second on a fly out to center and then stole third.

That’s four extra bases after he initially reached. He now has successfully stolen 18 straight bags dating to the end of the 2022 season.

The Twins got on the board against reliever Alex Faedo in the ninth. Martin hit his first pitch into the seats in left.

The Tigers will complete the 14-game, 13-day stretch with three games against the Rays in St. Petersburg.

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