MINNEAPOLIS — Less than 20 minutes into Monday's game, the desperate-to-win Detroit Tigers were in a deep hole.
A first-inning grand slam from Max Kepler, who has drilled four of his six home runs off the Tigers this season, gave the Minnesota Twins a sturdy advantage. The Tigers climbed out of the early deficit, but they still lost, 5-4, in the first of three games at Target Field.
[ If Tigers have any hope for entering AL Central race, the next two weeks are crucial ]
Detroit dropped to 14-27, now 11½ games behind the Twins for first place in the American League Central.