Woods Richardson dazzles in season debut as Twins win Detroit doubleheader

Adam Uren | Apr 13, 2024

Apr 13, 2024; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Tigers outfielder Mark Canha (21) beats the throw to / David Reginek-USA TODAY Sports

The Minnesota Twins jumpstarted their season by winning both games of a Saturday doubleheader in Detroit, bringing them to 6-7 ahead of Sunday's series closer against the Tigers.

Simeon Woods Richardson, called up from the St. Paul Saints Saturday, was hugely impressive on only his second Major League start, giving up just one run and striking out five across his first six innings as the Twins ran out 4-1 winners.

Woods Richardson, who joined the Twins as part of the Jose Berrios trade with Toronto in 2021 and has spent most of his time since then developing in the minors, was quickly drafted in as part of a series of roster moves Saturday morning that included Carlos Correa being added to the Injured List

The pitcher was ably supported by the Twins batters, who have endured an awful start to the season but who blew off some of the cobwebs during the 11-5 win in Game 1 of Saturday's doubleheader.

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Castro's two-out, two-run homer that scored Austin Martin proved the crucial moment, giving the Twins breathing room after an earlier home run from Eddy Julien had put the visitors ahead 2-1.

84 Willi Castro Perfect Perfect pic.twitter.com/hIbg32ijSy

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The Twins found themselves in trouble in the bottom of the 7th when the Tigers got two runners on off of Kody Funderburk. But with Cole Sands replacing Funderburk, he was able to induce a groundout to end the inning.

Sands was ultimately able to pitch out the rest of the game, recording a 2.1 inning save. The Twins will now look to wrap up the series when the teams meet again Sunday, with first pitch scheduled for 12:40 p.m. Central and Bailey Ober on the mound for Minnesota.