The last time he pitched, Louie Varland’s issue was two-strike execution. This time out, the issue was not getting to two strikes in the first place.

CORRECTS TO TWO-RUN HOME RUN NOT THREE-RUN HOME RUN – Minnesota Twins pitcher Louie Varland reacts after a two-run home run by Detroit Tigers’ Buddy Kennedy during the third inning of a baseball game Sunday, April 21, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

A tough start to the 2024 season for the St. Paulite continued on Sunday when Varland gave up four runs and exited early in the Twins’ 6-1 loss to the Detroit Tigers in the series finale at Target Field.

Varland was lucky to get through the first inning having given up just two runs after he walked three batters and allowed a single. Just 18 of the 39 pitches he threw that inning were strikes, and before he escaped from the inning, the Twins had a reliever warming up.

He made it through the second inning before a Buddy Kennedy two-run homer in the third inning spelled the end of his day, the team already in a hole from which it would never recover. Four starts into the season, Varland now sports a 9.18 earned-run average, having given up 17 earned runs in 16 2/3 innings.

It begs the question: Will the Twins let Varland work things out at the major league level?

The short start forced the Twins to heavily tax their bullpen, turning to Cole Sands for 1 1/3 innings, Matt Bowman and Jay Jackson for two innings apiece, and Caleb Thielbar for the ninth.

The Twins, though they began the game by loading the bases in the bottom of the first inning, were unable to break through against Tigers starter Casey Mize, who threw six scoreless innings.

Austin Martin’s first career home run in the ninth inning helped the Twins avoid being shutout, but there was no other offense to speak of in a defeat that was their sixth loss in their past seven days. But there’s at least good news for the Twins: The Chicago White Sox, who own Major League Baseball’s worst record, come to town next.

Detroit Tigers’ Spencer Torkelson, right, scores off a sacrifice flyout by Buddy Kennedy during the first inning of a baseball game against the Minnesota Twins, Sunday, April 21, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Minnesota Twins’ Austin Martin runs the bases after hitting a solo home run during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Detroit Tigers, Sunday, April 21, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

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