Taj Bradley, Ryan Jeffers help secure Twins win against Tigers

Minnesota Twins hold on for a 4-2 victory over the Detroit Tigers

Apr. 8, 2026 at 8:35am

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting a baseball game in motion, with overlapping shapes and planes representing the players, field, and crowd in an abstract, cubist style.A cubist interpretation of the key moments from the Twins' victory over the Tigers, capturing the dynamic action and energy of the game.Jeffers Today

Ryan Jeffers doubled and drove in a pair of runs, and the Minnesota Twins held on for a 4-2 win over the Detroit Tigers on Tuesday night in Minneapolis. Twins right-hander Taj Bradley continued his strong start to the season, limiting Detroit to one run on six hits in 6 1/3 innings, walking none and striking out 10. The Twins scored four runs in the fifth inning to take the lead, and their bullpen held on for the victory.

Why it matters

The Twins are looking to secure their first series victory of the season against the Tigers, a divisional rival. Bradley's impressive outing and the clutch hitting from Jeffers and Bell helped the Twins bounce back after a slow start to the year.

The details

Twins right-hander Taj Bradley (2-0) continued his red-hot start to the season, limiting the Tigers to one run on six hits in 6 1/3 innings, walking none and striking out 10. The Twins scored four runs in the fifth inning, with RBI doubles from Ryan Jeffers and Josh Bell. The Tigers threatened in the ninth inning, but Twins reliever Justin Topa got the final two outs to earn his first save of the season.

  • The game was played on Tuesday night in Minneapolis.
  • The Twins and Tigers will play the third game of their four-game series on Wednesday night.

The players

Taj Bradley

Twins right-hander who limited the Tigers to one run on six hits in 6 1/3 innings, walking none and striking out 10.

Ryan Jeffers

Twins catcher who doubled and drove in a pair of runs in the fifth inning to help the Twins take the lead.

Josh Bell

Twins first baseman who hit a two-out double in the fifth inning to drive in Jeffers and extend the Twins' lead to 4-0.

Kevin McGonigle

Tigers outfielder who went 2-for-5 with a double and two RBIs, including a seventh-inning single that cut the Twins' lead to 4-1.

Tarik Skubal

Tigers left-hander who gave up four runs on eight hits in 4 2/3 innings, walking two and striking out seven.

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What’s next

The Twins and Tigers will play the third game of their four-game series on Wednesday night in Minneapolis.

The takeaway

The Twins' victory, powered by strong pitching from Taj Bradley and timely hitting from Ryan Jeffers and Josh Bell, keeps them in the hunt for their first series win of the season against a divisional rival.