Aaron Sanchez gave up seven runs in two innings as the Twins lost to Detroit 8-7 in a Grapefruit League game Sunday in Lakeland, Fla.
Aaron Sanchez rocked as Twins fall to Detroit 8-7
Willi Castro and Trevor Larnach went deep for the Twins.
Cesar Hernandez hit a two-run single in the first inning and Ryan Kreidler a two-run single in the second inning for the Tigers, who recorded eight of their 10 hits off Sanchez. Former Twins infielder Jermaine Palacios added a solo shot in the third inning against lefthander Michael Boyle.
Jorge Alcala pitched 1⅔ shutout innings and Griffin Jax struck out all three batters he faced for the Twins.
Down 8-0, the Twins made it a one-run game. Willi Castro hit a three-run homer against his former team in the sixth inning, and Trevor Larnach added a two-run shot off ex-Twins righthander Matt Wisler in the seventh.
The Twins' spring schedule continues Monday with a home game against the Yankees in Fort Myers.
Talk of competing for the best players or of a potential new owner wielding big bucks doesn’t change this: They are last in popularity among the four major men’s pro sports.