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MINNEAPOLIS – Craig Monroe is growing into his new role as a reserve.
Monroe hit a three-run homer and just missed a second, and Justin Morneau added three hits to help the Minnesota Twins beat the Detroit Tigers 6-4.
Mike Redmond had two RBI for Minnesota, which has won eight of 10 and 12 of its last 14. The Twins remain 2 1/2 games behind Chicago in the AL Central; Detroit is six back.
Marcus Thames hit his second homer in as many games for the Tigers, who lost for the first time in seven games.
It has been a frustrating year for Monroe, who was acquired in November as a potential primary left fielder. Instead he has had to adjust to being a bench player and occasional designated hitter against left-handed pitchers.
The lack of consistent at-bats has led to a number of issues for Monroe who played in 682 games the last five years – all but 23 with Detroit. He hit 100 home runs for the Tigers in that time.
He says those have been corrected, including a shortened swing with a smaller leg kick, not pulling off the ball and being more situationally focused during batting practice.
“All these things you talk about trying to be a good bench player, I wasn’t allowing myself to do it because I had so much success playing every day and having the high leg kick. Now it’s a new chapter in my career where I’ve got to find a way to be a better bench player. I think now I’m starting to take all the strides in the right direction.”
Monroe’s shot over the center-field wall in the fourth gave the Twins a 3-0 lead. It was Minnesota’s first three-run home run since Monroe did so as a pinch hitter May 28 at Kansas City.
“It just changed the game. The momentum was instantly shifted,” Minnesota starter Scott Baker said. “I’m thankful to see him in the lineup every time we face these guys because you know he’s going to do the best he can and probably put some good swings on the ball.”
Detroit manager Jim Leyland isn’t surprised what his former player did. “Everybody knows he’s got power, and I’m pretty sure he’s pumped up for us. He’s a threat at all times.”
Baker (5-2) wasn’t sharp, but won his third straight game for the first time in his 60-start career. He retired 10 of the first 11 Detroit batters before getting roughed up a bit in the middle innings. For the second straight start, he allowed three earned runs in six innings.
One night after the Twins’ bullpen gave up the lead in a 5-4 defeat, Brian Bass and Dennys Reyes limited Detroit to one run in two innings before Joe Nathan earned his 23rd save in 25 chances with a perfect ninth.
Five hits to open the fifth chased Nate Robertson (6-7), who was hit hard for the second straight game. Robertson, who allowed a season-high 11 hits in 6 1/3 innings last Thursday, allowed the same amount in four innings Tuesday.
