Minneapolis — The Tigers had pushed across more than four runs in a game just twice this month and only six times all season.
So to say the least, spotting the Minnesota Twins a four-spot right out of the gate was sub-optimal.
But there they were Monday night, in a four-run hole five batters into the game when Tiger-slayer Max Kepler bushwhacked a change-up from rookie right-hander Elvin Rodriguez and drove 408 feet into the seats in right field – a grand slam home run.
The Detroiters did get those four runs back. The fifth run, though, remained elusive.