The Minnesota Twins came into Comerica Park on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, and walked out with a 3-2 win over the Detroit Tigers in a tight nine-inning division game. Kody Clemens supplied the decisive blow with a two-run home run, Dean Kremer earned the win, and Yoendrys Gómez locked it down in the ninth. Kevin McGonigle kept Detroit in it with a solo home run and two RBI, but the Tigers' bullpen couldn't protect a lead late, and the Twins came away with the one-run victory.

Kevin McGonigle Provides Detroit's Only Offense

McGonigle was Detroit's bright spot on the night, going 2-for-4 with a home run and two RBI. He gave the Tigers life and was responsible for both runs on the board, but the rest of the lineup couldn't generate enough against a Minnesota pitching staff that threw five arms at them across nine innings. Kremer went five innings, allowing two earned runs on five hits with three strikeouts before handing off to the bullpen, which held Detroit scoreless the rest of the way.

Drew Anderson Takes the Loss After Shaky Outing

Drew Anderson had a rough night on the mound for Detroit. The right-hander lasted just 5.1 innings, giving up all three Minnesota runs on four hits and three walks while striking out four. That walk total hurt — Minnesota made Anderson pay for the free passes, and Kody Clemens's two-run shot off Anderson was the blow that ultimately decided the game. Anderson takes the loss.

The Tigers' bullpen did its job after Anderson departed. Beau Brieske threw 1.2 scoreless innings without allowing a hit or a walk. Brant Hurter added 1.1 clean innings with a strikeout. Yilber Díaz worked the final two-thirds of an inning and allowed one hit but no runs. The back end of Detroit's staff kept the deficit at one, giving the offense a chance — the bats just couldn't answer.

Kody Clemens Delivers the Turning Point

The turning point in this game was Clemens's home run. The Minnesota first baseman — and son of Roger Clemens — went 1-for-3 but made his one hit count in a big way, driving in two runs with one swing. Ryan Jeffers added a 2-for-3 night at the plate for Minnesota, providing the Twins with a consistent offensive presence throughout the lineup. Minnesota's five-man pitching parade kept Detroit's lineup quiet after the fifth inning, with A.J. Minter, Andrew Morris, Jeff Hoffman, and Gómez each contributing clean or near-clean innings down the stretch.

Minnesota Pitching Shuts Down Tigers Late

  • Dean Kremer: 5.0 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 3 K — win
  • A.J. Minter: 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
  • Andrew Morris: 0.2 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K
  • Jeff Hoffman: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K
  • Yoendrys Gómez: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K — save

Once Kremer exited, Minnesota's relievers combined to retire Detroit with just one hit allowed over the final four innings. Gómez worked a clean ninth — one strikeout, no baserunners — to slam the door on any Tigers rally.

What's Next for the Detroit Tigers

This loss stings. A one-run game against a division opponent at home is exactly the kind of result that can define a September. The Tigers now have to turn the page quickly — they'll need Anderson to be sharper in his next start, and the lineup needs to generate more than two runs against a rotation that isn't overwhelming on paper. Detroit will have to figure out how to get more out of the middle of the order when McGonigle can't carry the load alone. The schedule doesn't let up, and with division games carrying maximum weight this late in the regular season, every game matters.