Small Crowd Shows Up for Detroit Tigers-Minnesota Twins Afternoon Game

On Thursday afternoon, the Minnesota Twins hosted the Detroit Tigers in the first game of a day-night doubleheader. They played in front of a largely empty stadium.

After postponing Wednesday night's scheduled contest due to rain, MLB rescheduled the contest for the following afternoon. Combine the short notice with Minnesota's MLB-worst 55-96 record entering the day, and few fans called out from work.

The official paid attendance grossly exaggerates the actual turnout:

According to ESPN.com, Target Field draws an average attendance of 24,400 people per game, MLB's ninth-lowest mark. Five years ago, the venue attracted the fourth-highest attendance (39,112) even though Minnesota lost 99 games.

Although the game meant little for the Twins, the Tigers began the doubleheader one game behind the Baltimore Orioles for the American League's second wild-card spot.

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