MINNEAPOLIS — Twins starter Sonny Gray went seven scoreless innings as the Twins beat Detroit, 2-0, on Tuesday.
The American League Central-leading Twins improved to 27-16 in front of an announced crowd of 17,882 at Target Field, while the Tigers fell to 14-28.
In all, Gray allowed just four hits and one walk with a season-high 10 strikeouts. He also became just the second Twins starter this year — the other being Joe Ryan — to complete at least seven innings in a game. Gray, like many of the starters, began this season not as stretched out as usual because spring training was delayed and shortened. Gray also joined the Twins a bit late after his trade from Cincinnati.
Then the 32-year-old endured a hamstring injury soon after the season began which put him on the injured list. But since his return, Twins manager Rocco Baldelli has been impressed.
"He's thrown the ball well, he's been crisp, and he's stretched out nicely," Balldelli said ahead of Tuesday's game. "He's pitched with his fastball well. He's a guy that can do a lot of different things depending on who he's facing."
Gray improved to 2-1 on the season — his first win came a week ago in Oakland against his former team.
Offensively, the Twins chased Detroit starter Beau Brieske from the game after four innings, in which he gave up six hits and two runs. Gio Urshela drove in the first run in the second inning with a base hit scoring Max Kepler. Carlos Correa's RBI double in the third scored Luis Arraez and doubled the Twins' lead.
Tyler Duffey and Jhoan Duran pitched the final two innings out of the bullpen. Duffey had a perfect eighth with two strikeouts. Duran had runners at first and second with just one out, but he induced a double play to end the game and earn the save, his fourth of the year.
