The Twins put up a good show in a competitive national Saturday night game, but the division-leading Detroit Tigers had the edge tonight in an 8-5 victory.

It was a back-and-forth affair, with the Minnesota lineup putting together a couple strong innings after early deficits tilted things the Tigers’ way. But without the usual suspects in Rocco’s Magical Arm Barn, a combined six Detroit runs in the final four innings dished out “Duds” to the bullpen appearances, and kept the Twins underwater for the rest of the game.

Casey Mize struck out 10 for the Tigers across 6.1 innings, despite four earned runs allowed. Three came in the fifth, with a game-tying triple coming off Brooks Lee’s pencil bat.

The remaining run crossed home plate in the seventh; Luke Keaschell had singled his away aboard (he added another two hits, a walk, and a pair of runs to his major-league resume) and scored on an RBI groundout from Lee with Detroit reliever Tyler Holton on the bump. They’d add one more — James Outman struck out in his other three at-bats, but reached on a run-scoring two-out error in the same inning.

Meanwhile, an abbreviated start from Zebby Matthews (4 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 4 BB, 6 K, HR) meant that the Arm Barn had to fire bullets of Travis Adams, Brooks Kriske, Kody Funderburk, Michael Tonkin, and Justin Topa. Of that group, only Funderburk and Tonkin kept the Tigers off the board; Adams issued four walks, Kriske allowed three runs in a single inning of work, and Justin Topa allowed runs on both a Jahmai Jones base hit and a throwing error of his own.

Standout offensive performers for the Tigers tonight included a 2-for-2, RBI performance from pinch-hitter Jones, and a 2-for-5 evening for Trey Sweeney that included an RBI, double, and three runs scored.

Baseball Savant

The Tigers will attempt to sweep the Twins tomorrow, although nearly all eyes of the baseball world will be on Cincinnati, to see whether the Milwaukee Brewers can win their 15th ballgame in a row. Remember when this team won 13 games in a row? This season? Hey, do you remember that? Hey, guys, remember —

DH Luke Keaschall (2-for-3-, 2 R, BB)

SS Brooks Lee (1-for-4-, R, 3 RBI, 3B)

RP Travis Adams (1.1 IP, 2 H, ER, 4 BB, K)

RP Brooks Kriske (IP, 2 H, 3 ER, BB)

RP Justin Topa (IP, 2 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 2 K)

CF Byron Buxton (0-for-5, 3 K)

LF James Outman (0-for-4, 3 K)