Matthews was sharp against a Tigers team that entered Tuesday with the best record in the American League, striking out four of his first eight batters. His slider and cutter were effective weapons, paired with a fastball that averaged 96 mph.
“It feels good to get the chase, swing and miss, especially against a team like that, but as cool as it is, I just want to go out there and get outs,” said Matthews, who threw 80 pitches in his first four innings.
Tigers righthander Chris Paddack pitches against his former team, the Twins, on Tuesday night. He gave up four runs in four innings and took the loss. (Paul Sancya/The Associated Press)
Detroit scored a run in the third inning, benefiting from some poor outfield defense. Colt Keith hit a one-out double after Larnach came up empty on a diving attempt in left field. With two outs, Austin Martin dropped a fly ball, which allowed Keith to score.
In the eighth inning, there were two runners on base with two outs when Jahmai Jones lined a ball into center field. Martin made a bad decision to dive for a ball that was out of his reach. Jones ended up with a two-run triple on the misplay, but Cole Sands finished the inning with a flyout.
Michael Tonkin, Kody Funderburk, Sands and Justin Topa — the four bullpen holdovers who weren’t shipped away at the trade deadline — handled the final 12 outs.
Topa earned his fourth career save, his first since 2023.