In Friday’s Twins-Tigers game, two Bros got busy as Byron Buxton and Dylan Smith each played key roles, albeit for opposing teams. The Minnesota Twins ultimately won the game at Detroit’s Comerica Park, 4-1, thanks in part to a strong offensive showing from Buxton.

Byron Buxton (Minnesota Twins)
Byron Buxton was an important offensive spark for Minnesota as they were able to get on the board early and late. He went 1-for-4 at the plate, but that one hit was significant: a 425-foot solo shot to left field in the top of the 5th inning. His bomb gave the Twins a crucial 2-0 lead at the time and marked his 18th home run of the season.

Beyond the long ball, Buxton also showed off his speed and base-running prowess. In the 7th inning, he led off with a walk, quickly stole his 14th base of the season and then advanced to third on a groundout. He eventually scored on a squeeze bunt, hustling to add to the Twins’ run total.

Friday’s game highlighted Buxton’s multi-faceted offensive game, which has been steadily improving after a somewhat slow start to the season. Over his last 47 games, he’s been slashing an impressive .307/.382/.631 with 25 extra-base hits, 41 RBI, 36 runs scored and 10 stolen bases, demonstrating his ability to get on base, hit for power and be a threat on the bases.

Dylan Smith (Detroit Tigers)
For the Detroit Tigers, relief pitcher Dylan Smith came in from the bullpen and pitched two scoreless innings, allowing no hits and no walks while striking out two Twins. The Tigers lost the game but Smith’s performance was a net positive for the team’s bullpen. He effectively shut down the Twins’ offense during his stint on the mound, keeping the game within reach.

Smith, who made his MLB debut earlier this month on June 3rd, has been a recent addition to the Tigers’ pitching staff. His outing tonight, where he demonstrated control and the ability to record strikeouts, suggests he could be a valuable asset in relief for Detroit moving forward. While he didn’t factor into the decision, his clean innings provided a solid bridge for the Tigers’ pitching staff.