Twins Complete 4-Game Sweep of Tigers with Late Rally

Brooks Lee's 2-run single in the 8th inning lifts Minnesota to victory.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 8:50pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a baseball game between the Minnesota Twins and Detroit Tigers, with sharp, overlapping planes of color representing the players, field, and action.The Twins' four-game sweep of the Tigers showcases the team's resilience and ability to win close games, even as Detroit's road struggles continue.Today in Detroit

The Minnesota Twins completed a four-game sweep of the Detroit Tigers on Thursday, with Brooks Lee hitting a tiebreaking two-run single in the eighth inning to secure a 3-1 victory. Mick Abel pitched six scoreless innings for the Twins, while Josh Bell went 3-for-4 with a home run. The Tigers' center fielder Parker Meadows was injured in a collision during the game.

Why it matters

The Twins' four-game sweep of the Tigers marks the first such feat in Major League Baseball this season, showcasing the team's strong start and ability to dominate their division rivals. The injury to Meadows is also a significant development that could impact the Tigers' lineup and outfield defense going forward.

The details

In the eighth inning, the game was tied 1-1 when Brooks Lee came through with a two-run single to give the Twins the lead. Earlier, Mick Abel had pitched six scoreless innings for Minnesota, stranding seven runners, including five in scoring position. The Tigers' Gleyber Torres tied the game in the seventh with a sacrifice fly, but they went 0-for-11 with runners in scoring position. The Tigers also lost center fielder Parker Meadows in the eighth after a head-to-head collision as left fielder Riley Greene caught a fly ball.

  • The Twins completed the four-game sweep on Thursday, April 9, 2026.
  • The last time the Twins swept the Tigers in four games was in June 2024.

The players

Brooks Lee

A Twins infielder who hit the game-winning two-run single in the eighth inning.

Mick Abel

The Twins starting pitcher who threw six scoreless innings, stranding seven runners.

Josh Bell

A Twins outfielder who went 3-for-4 with a home run in the game.

Parker Meadows

The Tigers' center fielder who was injured in a collision during the game.

Riley Greene

The Tigers' left fielder who made the catch that led to Meadows' injury.

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What they’re saying

“We must have done something right to sweep the Tigers like that. The guys really stepped up and played great baseball all series long.”

— Rocco Baldelli, Twins Manager

What’s next

The Twins will look to continue their strong start when they begin a three-game series against the Toronto Blue Jays on Friday. The Tigers, meanwhile, will host the Miami Marlins in a three-game set, also starting on Friday.

The takeaway

The Twins' four-game sweep of the Tigers showcases the team's early-season dominance and ability to capitalize on opportunities, while the injury to Tigers center fielder Parker Meadows could be a significant setback for Detroit as they look to bounce back from the series loss.