Twins Defeat Tigers 3-1 in Series Finale

Minnesota pitcher Mick Abel throws six scoreless innings to anchor the victory.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 7:18pm

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The Minnesota Twins defeated the Detroit Tigers 3-1 on April 9, 2026, at Target Field in Minneapolis. The Twins' victory was anchored by a strong performance from pitcher Mick Abel, who threw six scoreless innings to keep the Tigers' offense in check. Offensively, Josh Bell played a pivotal role in the win, finishing the game 3 for 4 and recording a home run.

Why it matters

The April 9 game was the fourth in a series between the two teams, with the Twins holding the advantage throughout the stretch. The victory keeps the Twins in contention in the AL Central division, while the Tigers continue to struggle to find momentum early in the season.

The details

The game lasted 2:44 and was attended by 19,054 fans. The officiating crew for the matchup included home plate umpire Adrian Johnson, first base umpire Rob Drake, second base umpire Quinn Wolcott, and third base umpire Steven Jaschinski.

  • The April 9 game was the fourth in a series between the two teams.
  • The Twins held the advantage throughout the stretch with the following results: Game 1 (April 6): Twins 4, Tigers 2 Game 2 (April 7): Twins 8, Tigers 6 Game 3 (April 8): Twins 3, Tigers 1 Game 4 (April 9): Twins 3, Tigers 1

The players

Mick Abel

The Minnesota Twins' starting pitcher who threw six scoreless innings to anchor the victory.

Josh Bell

The Minnesota Twins' player who finished the game 3 for 4 with a home run, playing a pivotal role in the win.

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What they’re saying

“Our pitching was outstanding tonight, and Josh Bell really set the tone for us offensively. It was a great team effort to get this win against a tough division rival.”

— Rocco Baldelli, Minnesota Twins Manager

What’s next

The Twins will look to build on this series win as they continue their push for the AL Central division title, while the Tigers will aim to turn things around and climb out of the basement of the division standings.

The takeaway

The Twins' victory in the series finale against the Tigers showcases their ability to win close games against divisional opponents, a key factor in their quest to return to the playoffs. Meanwhile, the Tigers' struggles highlight the need for the team to find more consistency and offensive production to remain competitive in the AL Central.