Late Inning Heroics Gives Detroit Tigers Their First Home Win

The Detroit Tigers won their third game of the season after a hard-fought, come-from-behind victory over the Minnesota Twins, 11-9. This was the Tiger's first win at home this year.

Jeremy Bonderman got the start for the Tigers against Nick Blackburn for the Twins.

Hits by Brendan Harris and Mike Lamb gave the Twins a 2-0 lead after a two-out error by Tiger's catcher Ivan Rodriguez extended the second inning.

The Twins scored three more runs in the sixth inning. An error by rookie outfielder Clete Thomas brought in two, and a sacrifice fly by Brendan Harris gave the Twins a 5-0 lead.

Then it was the Tigers turn. An RBI single by Miguel Cabrera (I've been waiting all year to say that) and a two run double in the left corner brought the score to 5-3. An RBI single for Tigers' shortstop Edgar Renteria got Detroit within one run, 5-4.

Bonderman got into a jam and was relieved by Bobby Seay who gave up four runs after a barrage of hits by the Twins, seemingly putting the game out of reach 9-4.

But not today J.J..

In the sixth inning Ivan Rodriguez added a home run that tipped off the glove of Twins' right-fielder Denard Span making the score 9-5.

Twp innings later, the Tigers came from behind to score six runs on a medley of hits, including a two-run triple by Rodriguez to tie the game at 9. The Tigers scored two more runs to bring the score to 11-9.

Todd Jones came on to close for the Tiger victory after a great running catch by Ryan Raburn for the final out.

Rookie Clete Thomas hit the first triple of his career in the game, and Francis Beltran got his first victory in relief.

Delmon Young was the standout offensive player for the Twins with three hits, two RBI, and two runs scored.

Bonderman pitched pretty well through 6 and1/3 innings, striking out five and only walking two before giving up four earned runs.

This type of dramatic win could be the spark the Tigers are looking for. A momentum shift like this could mark a turning point on the season if the Tigers can keep winning.

There were a lot of standouts for Detroit as their bats really came alive.

• Gary Sheffield: two hits, two runs scored
• Magglio Ordonez: three hits, one RBI, two runs scored
• Miguel Cabrera: two hits, one RBI, two runs scored
• Carlos Guillen: three hits, three RBI, one run scored (still obviously hobbled by a hamstring injury)
• Edgar Renteria: two hits, one RBI, one run scored
• Ivan Rodriguez: two hits (including his first home run of the season), three RBI, one run scored

This marks a great win for the Tigers and one they really needed to snap their drought this season.

Sweet music to my Detroit Tiger lovin' ears! Go Get 'Em Tigers!