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Saltalamacchia lifts streaking Tigers over Twins

Posted at 6:12 PM, May 01, 2016
and last updated 2016-05-01 18:22:01-04

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Jarrod Saltalamacchia doubled home the go-ahead run in the eighth inning, Nick Castellanos hit a three-run homer and the Detroit Tigers beat the Minnesota Twins 6-5 on Sunday for their fifth straight victory.

Saltalamacchia's drive to left field off reliever Ryan Pressly (1-2) allowed Justin Upton to score from first. Twins shortstop Eduardo Escobar could've had a play at the plate, but he bobbled the ball on the relay throw.

Mark Lowe (1-0) pitched a perfect seventh for the win. Justin Wilson worked a scoreless eighth and Francisco Rodriguez converted his seventh save in eight opportunities.

Detroit swept the three-game series and extended its longest winning streak of the season after losing five of its previous six.

Minnesota led 5-2 in the fifth before Castellanos' homer tied it. Twins starter Ricky Nolasco got two quick outs to begin the inning, but Victor Martinez and Upton hit consecutive singles, and Castellanos sent a full-count pitch into the left-field seats.

Facing his former teammates, Tigers starter Mike Pelfrey remained winless this season after working four innings and giving up five runs on eight hits. Upton's single in the second to drive in Martinez was the first run Detroit scored in support of Pelfrey in five starts.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Tigers: C James McCann (right ankle sprain) was scheduled to play nine innings for Triple-A Toledo after getting only five innings of work Saturday due to rain. He had originally been scheduled to catch only five innings Sunday. "We'll just flip-flop," manager Brad Ausmus said.

Twins: GM Terry Ryan said 3B Trevor Plouffe (right intercostal strain) was OK after playing nine innings Saturday and was set to play again for Triple-A Rochester on Sunday. Ryan also said RHP Ervin Santana (back) would make Minnesota's upcoming trip to Cleveland and likely throw a bullpen session. "He's getting pretty close," Ryan said.

UP NEXT

Tigers: Justin Verlander (2-2) makes his sixth start of the season Tuesday night at Cleveland. Verlander will face the Indians for the second time this year after giving up two runs and four hits over seven innings in an April 22 loss.

Twins: Rookie RHP Jose Berrios (0-1) makes his second start of the season Monday in Houston. Berrios lasted four innings in his debut last week against the Indians, allowing five earned runs with two walks and five strikeouts.