Twins get to K-Rod, win homer duel vs. Tigers

DETROIT — Max Kepler and Eddie Rosario hit ninth-inning home runs off Francisco Rodriguez to send the Twins to their first series win against an American League Central opponent since mid-May, taking the three-game set against the Tigers with a 4-1 win Wednesday afternoon at Comerica Park.

Ervin Santana and Justin Verlander gave up first-inning solo homers but settled in from there to deliver a pitchers’ duel. While Verlander allowed only one other hit over his eight innings, walking two and striking out nine, Santana scattered six hits with a walk and two strikeouts to match for seven-plus innings.

Victor Martinez nearly broke the deadlock with a drive to the left-field fence in the eighth, but Rosario ran it down. With a tie game at home, Rodriguez (1-1) entered for the ninth and retired Miguel Sano and Brian Dozier before Kepler sent a changeup out on a line to right field for his 10th homer of the season. Two batters later, Rosario all but sealed it with his fifth homer of the season.

It clinched the Twins’ first series win this season against a division opponent other than the Indians.

MOMENTS THAT MATTEREDLate power: Kepler fell behind, 0-2, to Rodriguez with two outs in the ninth before taking three straight …

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