Joe Ryan strikes out 12, Ryan Jeffers homers as Twins top Tigers

The Twins starter was in impressive form.

Apr 13, 2024; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Joe Ryan (41) throws in the / David Reginek-USA TODAY Sports

Joe Ryan threw a career record 12 strikeouts and Ryan Jeffers was the hero with the bat as the Minnesota Twins took Game 1 of a Saturday double-header against the Tigers in Detroit by a score of 11-5.

Ryan was in scintillating form as he punched out batter after batter, giving up just one earned run over six innings of pitching.

Despite his performance, it looked as though the Twins were destined for another disappointing defeat, trailing 3-2 in the 8th inning before Jeffers, who was brought in as a pinch hitter for Alex Kirilloff, hit a solo home run off Jason Foley.

RYAN JEFFERS OFF THE BENCH!! #WeBelieveInTC // #MNTwins pic.twitter.com/RNIVIMwa9y

— Bally Sports North (@BallySportsNOR) April 13, 2024

Jeffers struck again in the 11th inning, with his single scoring Carlos Santana, but the Tigers leveled it up 4-4 in the bottom of the inning.

The Twins loaded the bases with no outs in the top of the 12th, aided by a bunt by Christian Vazquez, before Austin Martin drew a walk from Tigers closer Alex Lange to score Byron Buxton and put the Twins 5-4 ahead.

Kyle Farmer and Santana then struck out consecutively, which brought up Jeffers again. After taking Lange to a full count, Jeffers hit a ground ball to third that went right through Zach McKinistry and cleared the bases, giving the Twins an 8-4 advantage.

McKinistry's reward for his error was taking a turn on the pitchers mound, and after walking Manuel Margot he gave up a three-run bomb to Matt Wallner.

The Tigers did add one run in the bottom of the 12th but by that time the damage was done, with the Twins moving to 5-7 on the season.