Call-up from Rochester cranks two-run shot

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Terry Tiffee's jump from the minor leagues to

the Twins' cleanup spot couldn't have gone any smoother.

Tiffee had a two-run homer and a career-high three RBI in his

first game of the season to lead Minnesota to an 8-4 victory over

the Detroit Tigers on Wednesday night.

"That's the last place I thought I'd be," Tiffee said of

batting fourth in the lineup. "But, I don't care where I hit I

just want to play."

Jacque Jones also hit a two-run homer for Minnesota, which has

won three straight games. Tiffee, called up from Triple-A Rochester

on Tuesday to fill the injured Justin Morneau's roster spot, went

2-for-4 with two runs scored.

"It's never easy to come up and play well, but it's easier

having done it last year because you know the guys and you know

what to expect," said Tiffee, who had a game-winning two-run

double in his major-league debut last year.

"It's good to see guys come up here ready to play," manager

Ron Gardenhire said. "That's what this organization is all about.

That's what we've bragged about for a long time."

Kyle Lohse (1-1) allowed four runs and eight hits in 6 1/3

innings, while striking out six and walking one.

Brandon Inge hit a solo homer for the Tigers, losers of three

straight.

After retiring leadoff hitter Shannon Stewart, Detroit starter

Jason Johnson (1-1) gave up seven straight hits, a walk and five

runs before being relieved by Matt Ginter.

"That makes it tough," Manager Alan Trammell said of his

starter's troubles. "You can look at it, but the percentages say

that if you have to take your starter out in the first inning,

there's a good chance you're going to lose."

Inge hit his second homer of the season with one out in the

first to give Detroit a 1-0 lead, but Minnesota came back with five

runs in the bottom of the inning. It was the first time Minnesota

has scored in the first inning this season.

"(Bench coach) Steve Liddle told the bat guy to get us some

first-inning bats," Jones joked. "I guess he got us some today."

Jason Bartlett and Joe Mauer hit consecutive infield singles

before Tiffee drove in a run with a single. Torii Hunter followed

with a two-run single off Johnson and Jones hit his second homer of

the season to make it 5-1.

"I didn't feel out of sync at all," Johnson said. "Your

explanation is as good as mine."

Johnson's shortest outing prior to this was 1 1/3 innings.

"I've seen Nolan Ryan get knocked out in the first inning after

warming up like he was going to throw a no-hitter," said Detroit

pitching coach Bob Cluck. "It happens."

Carlos Pena had an RBI single in the second to make it 5-2.

Stewart led off the fourth with a double and scored two outs

later on Tiffee's two-run shot off Ginter to make it 7-2.

Dmitri Young hit an RBI single and Rondell White had a sacrifice

fly in the sixth to make it 7-4. Mauer, who went 3-for-4, added an

RBI single in the eighth.

Tigers outfielder Magglio Ordonez was sent back to Detroit on

Wednesday morning due to recurring symptoms from a viral infection

that has forced him to miss five games. He will undergo tests

Thursday.Game notes
Twins pitchers combined to strike out 12 batters. ... Over

the past five seasons, Minnesota is 58-19 against the Tigers. ...

Lohse improved to 6-1 in 12 career games against Detroit. ...

Stewart has a hit in all eight games this season. ... Johnson won

his first start of the year, against Kansas City on April 7 when he

allowed five hits in 6 2/3 scoreless innings.