MINNEAPOLIS -- Victor Martinez homered in back-to-back at-bats and the Detroit Tigers knocked Ervin Santana out of the game in the fourth inning to beat the Minnesota Twins 6-3 Friday night at Target Field.
It was the shortest start since May of last year for Santana, who was unexpectedly outdueled by Tigers starter Anibal Sanchez. The Tigers were coming off back-to-back losses in games started by their two best pitchers, Michael Fulmer and Justin Verlander.
Martinez's home runs came on consecutive at-bats in the second and fourth innings. Both were on 3-2 pitches. Both were line drives to right field.