Kelly hits grand slam as Tigers rout Twins 9-2
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Carson Kelly hit a grand slam and Wenceel Perez followed with a home run to back Keider Montero’s first major league win as the Detroit Tigers beat the Minnesota Twins 9-2 on Wednesday night.
Riley Greene and Matt Vierling hit two-run homers, and Greene, Colt Keith and Akil Baddoo tripled for the Tigers, who had lost five of six.
Kelly’s homer, his sixth of the season and fourth in 10 games, came on a 1-0 fastball from David Festa (1-1) in the third and put Detroit ahead 4-0. Perez homered on the next pitch, a changeup.
Kelly entered hitting .300 with two doubles, a triple, four home runs and 15 RBIs in his previous 24 games.
“He’s swung the bat very well,” Detroit manager A.J. Hinch said. “When I DH’ed him the other day and he homered in the five-hole, he told me hits better in the middle of the order. He was tonguein-cheek, but maybe I might take him seriously.”
Montero (1-2) a 23-yearold right-hander, allowed two runs, six hits and a walk over 6 1/3 innings in his third major league appearance and second start. He was recalled from Triple-A Toledo before the game.
“It felt very good,” Montero said through interpreter Carlos Guillen. “Everything that I did is part of the process. I always believed today is part of the process and in the end, it’s going to show some results. But the most important part of it is, I was able to help this team to get a win and get the back of my teammates.”
Festa (1-1), making his second major league start and first in Target Field, gave up seven runs and nine hits in five innings. He allowed four runs over 5 2/3 innings at Arizona in his debut on June 27 and has a 10.80 ERA.
“I felt great,” said Festa, considered the team’s top pitching prospect. “The results, the box score doesn’t show that, but I feel like I was confident out there. The nerves are fine. Like I said, just a frustrating result.”