McGonigle hits 16th homer but Twins rally to edge Tigers

Chris McCosky, The Detroit News on Sep 8, 2026

Published in Baseball

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DETROIT — Of the many, many questions facing Tigers’ president Scott Harris after the season, what to do about Drew Anderson, while maybe not priority one, will be a tough one.

The Tigers hold a $10 million option on the 32-year-old right-hander for 2027. That’s well below the going rate for a versatile, multi-weaponed starting pitcher. And, with each start, Anderson seems to be doing just enough to make it an enticing pickup, while also doing just enough to cast doubt.

He took a 2-1 lead into the sixth inning Tuesday but his last pitch of his outing, a 2-2 four-seamer, high-and-tight, that former Tiger Kody Clemens sent into the seats in right field, sending the Minnesota Twins to a 3-2 win at Comerica Park.

Anderson, after getting through a 28-pitch first inning with only one run on the board, settled in and faced the minimum from the second through the fifth. He was helped out by a couple of double-plays, one an exceptional throw from rookie left fielder Brett Callahan, who threw out Luke Keaschall at third base on a 330-foot flyout.

He was keeping the Twins hitters in check, mixing sliders, curves and changeups off a four-seam fastball that had a velocity range between 90-95 mph.

He was impressive and efficient, needing just 40 pitches to traverse the second, third, fourth and fifth innings. He got six whiffs on 18 swings with his changeup, four on eight swings with his curveball. There were also four hard-hit balls off those two pitches.

The Tigers took the lead in the bottom of the fifth on rookie Kevin McGonigle’s 16th homer, a two-run, opposite-field shot to left off Twins’ right-hander Dean Kremer.

But Anderson walked Keaschall to start the sixth. Manager AJ Hinch had both lefty Tyler Holton and righty Beau Brieske warming in the bullpen. He was covered for lefty Kody Clemens and righty Ryan Jeffers who had already walked and singled off Anderson.

Anderson was at 80 pitches when he struck out Brooks Lee and that might’ve changed the calculus for Hinch. He let Anderson pitch to Clemens, saving Holton for later in the game (lefty Drew Sommers was not available).

Clemens, who hit three homers off the Tigers in Minneapolis last week, fouled off a 2-1 changeup and seemed to be on it. Anderson came back with a 94-mph heater up and in. Clemens didn’t miss it.

Tough way to end the day.

But Anderson, who was pitching out of the bullpen and in leverage spots most of the season, has pitched five-plus innings in five of his last six starts and left the Tigers in position to win in each of them.

For $10 million, seems like a useful arm to lock up.

The Tigers missed a golden opportunity to tie the game in the seventh. Rookie Ben Malgeri led off with a walk, stole second and went to third on the errant throw by catcher Jeffers.

He never traveled the last 90 feet.

Rookie Max Clark grounded out to shortstop against lefty A.J. Minter. Against right-hander Andrew Morris, rookie Hao-Yu Lee struck out and Zach McKinstry lined to left.

Malgeri was the only base runner against the Twins’ bullpen over the final four innings.

The Tigers (66-79) are 14-27 in one-run games.

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