All-Star Joe Ryan Dominates As Twins Clinch First Series Win In The Bronx Since 2014

By Troy Geary

Geary Sports & Entertainment Network

Bronx, New York:

The Minnesota Twins are heading home with plenty of momentum.

Behind a dominant performance from All-Star Joe Ryan and a balanced offensive attack, the Twins defeated the New York Yankees 6-1 on Sunday afternoon to win their first series at Yankee Stadium since 2014.

Minnesota (44-47) has now won four of its last five games, while the Yankees continue to struggle, dropping eight of their last 10.

One day after hitting a season-high six home runs in an 11-4 victory, the Twins relied on pitching and timely hitting to secure the series. Ryan, who was named to his second American League All-Star team on Saturday, looked every bit the part of an ace, tossing seven scoreless innings while allowing just three hits, walking one and striking out nine.

Coming off his shortest outing of the season against Houston, Ryan responded with one of his best performances of the year, consistently getting ahead in the count and keeping New York's lineup off balance with his fastball and sweeper.

The Twins wasted little time getting on the board.

Austin Martin led off the game with a double down the right-field line before Byron Buxton reached on an infield single, putting runners at the corners with no outs. The inning took an unfortunate turn when Buxton was caught stealing second on the back end of a strikeout by Kody Clemens. Buxton appeared to aggravate his right hip injury on the play and exited the game, with Kyler Fedko taking over in center field.

Despite losing one of their biggest offensive threats, Minnesota capitalized. Josh Bell continued his scorching weekend by driving a long RBI single to right that nearly left the ballpark before Max Schuemann reached above the wall to keep it in play. Bell's hit scored Martin for a 1-0 lead.

Ryan quickly made the advantage stand, retiring the Yankees in order in the first while striking out two.

Both offenses were held in check until the fourth inning.

Royce Lewis drew a leadoff walk, advanced to second on a wild pitch and came around to score on Brooks Lee's broken-bat RBI single to left, extending the Twins' lead to 2-0.

Ryan continued to cruise, retiring New York in order through four innings while piling up strikeouts.

Minnesota broke the game open in the fifth after the Yankees turned to their bullpen.

Luke Keaschall was hit by a pitch, Martin walked and Fedko advanced both runners with a deep fly ball. Bell then worked a four-pitch walk to load the bases before Lewis lined a two-run single to center, scoring Keaschall and Martin to make it 4-0.

The Twins added two more runs an inning later against Camilo Doval. Lee doubled to begin the inning, Ryan Kreidler reached on an Anthony Volpe throwing error, and Keaschall loaded the bases with a single. Martin followed with an RBI walk before Clemens added a sacrifice fly, stretching the lead to 6-0.

Ryan continued his masterpiece, striking out two more hitters during another perfect inning. The only trouble he encountered came in the seventh when Cody Bellinger singled and Anthony Volpe drew a two-out walk. Ryan calmly ended the threat by striking out Ahmed Rosario for his ninth and final strikeout.

His final line: seven shutout innings, three hits, one walk and nine strikeouts.

Andrew Morris retired the Yankees in order in the eighth before Yoendrys Gómez worked the ninth. New York avoided the shutout when Trent Grisham scored on Jasson Domínguez's RBI groundout, but Gómez recorded the final out to secure the 6-1 victory.

Bell continued his productive series after becoming the first Twin to homer from both sides of the plate in the same game since 2019 on Saturday. Lewis finished with two RBIs, while Lee and Martin each contributed two-hit performances.

The lone concern for Minnesota is Buxton's status after leaving with the apparent hip injury. With the All-Star Game just days away, the Twins will await further evaluation to determine the severity.

The Twins will enjoy an off-day Monday before returning to Target Field on Tuesday to begin a three-game series against Cleveland, looking to carry their momentum into the second half of the season.

 Minnesota Twins

 1. Austin Martin — LF

 2. Byron Buxton — CF

 3. Kody Clemens — 2B

 4. Josh Bell — DH

 5. Royce Lewis — 1B

 6. Victor Caratini — C

 7. Brooks Lee — 3B 

 8. Ryan Kreidler — SS

 9. Luke Keaschall — RF

 P: Joe Ryan (RHP)

 New York Yankees 

 1. Trent Grisham — CF

 2. Ben Rice — 1B 

 3. Jasson Domínguez — DH

 4. Cody Bellinger — LF

 5. Anthony Volpe — SS

 6. Jazz Chisholm Jr. — 2B

 7. Max Schuemann — RF

 8. Austin Wells — C 

 9. José Caballero — 3B 

 P: Ryan Weathers (LHP) 

Team News and Notes:

Byron Buxton and Joe Ryan were selected to represent the American League in the All-Star Game July 14th in Philadelphia.

By Troy Geary

Geary Sports & Entertainment Network

Bronx, New York:

The Minnesota Twins bounced back in a big way on Independence Day, defeating the New York Yankees 11-4 to even the series at one game apiece after dropping Friday night's opener 5-2. Minnesota's offense erupted for five home runs, while Zebby Matthews turned in another strong outing before leaving with an apparent injury in the fifth inning.

Zebby Matthews (4-5, 4.15 ERA) got the start for the Twins after allowing just one run over seven innings while striking out a season-high seven in his last outing against Houston. The Yankees countered with rookie right-hander Brendan Beck, who was making the first start of his major league career after debuting earlier this season.

The Twins wasted no time jumping on Beck in the top of the first. Trevor Larnach drew a leadoff walk before Byron Buxton, returning after missing the previous four games, ripped an RBI double off the left-field wall to make it 1-0. Kody Clemens followed by crushing a full-count slider 395 feet into the seats in right-center for a two-run homer, giving Minnesota a quick 3-0 advantage. Matthews responded with a quick, scoreless bottom of the first, retiring the Yankees in order.

Minnesota's power display continued in the second inning. Luke Keaschall led off with his fourth home run of the season, a solo shot to right-center, extending the lead to 4-0. Alex Jackson followed later in the inning with a 410-foot blast to left-center for his first home run of the season, pushing the Twins ahead 5-0. Beck recovered to retire the next two hitters, but the damage had already been done.

The Yankees threatened in the bottom of the second after Jasson Domínguez doubled down the right-field line. Matthews settled in, retiring Anthony Volpe on a lineout before striking out Jazz Chisholm Jr. Ryan McMahon had an opportunity to get New York on the board but struck out after an ABS challenge confirmed the called third strike.

The Twins threatened again in the third when Josh Bell doubled into the right-center gap, but Beck stranded him at second. Matthews continued to work efficiently, allowing only a leadoff walk before inducing a 5-4-3 double play and striking out Trent Grisham to end the inning.

Minnesota added another run in the fourth after Aaron Boone went to the bullpen. Left-hander Tim Hill entered to face Larnach, but the Twins outfielder launched a 360-foot homer into the right-field seats to make it 6-0. The Yankees answered in the bottom half when Domínguez hit a solo home run to right, cutting the lead to 6-1 after four innings.

The Twins couldn't capitalize on another opportunity in the fifth despite singles from Royce Lewis and Brooks Lee. New York answered in the bottom half when Max Schuemann blasted a two-run homer to left-center, trimming the deficit to 6-3. Matthews then walked Trent Grisham and Ben Rice before appearing to injure himself on his landing. After a visit from the training staff, he exited the game. Travis Adams entered in relief but surrendered an RBI double to Cody Bellinger, making it 6-4 before escaping the inning.

Minnesota put runners on base again in the sixth but couldn't add on against Ryan Yarbrough. Adams worked into the sixth before the Yankees loaded the bases with two outs. The Twins turned to Taylor Rogers, who retired Paul Goldschmidt on a fly ball to preserve the 6-4 lead.

Josh Bell gave the Twins some breathing room in the seventh, drilling a solo homer just inside the left-field foul pole for his 12th home run of the season and Minnesota's fifth homer of the afternoon, extending the lead to 7-4. Andrew Morris followed with a scoreless bottom of the seventh.

The Twins broke the game open in the eighth. After Keaschall reached on an error and Larnach singled, Buxton lifted a sacrifice fly to score Keaschall and make it 8-4. Clemens followed with an RBI single before Bell launched his second home run of the game, a two-run shot to right, stretching the lead to 11-4. It marked the 13th multi-homer game of Bell's career.

Rookie Marco Raya handled the final two innings for Minnesota. He worked around a walk and a single in the eighth before retiring the Yankees in order in the ninth to seal the victory.

The Twins will look to take the series on Sunday behind right-hander Joe Ryan (5-3, 3.61 ERA). The Yankees are scheduled to counter with left-hander Ryan Weathers (3-6, 4.08 ERA). First pitch is set for 12:35 p.m. Central.

 Minnesota Twins 

 1. Trevor Larnach — LF

 2. Byron Buxton — CF

 3. Kody Clemens — 2B

 4. Josh Bell — DH

 5. Royce Lewis — 1B

 6. Brooks Lee — 3B

 7. Ryan Kreidler — SS

 8. Luke Keaschall — RF

 9. Alex Jackson — C

 P: Zebby Matthews (RHP)

 New York Yankees 

 1. Trent Grisham — DH

 2. Ben Rice — 1B

 3. Cody Bellinger — LF

 4. Jasson Domínguez — RF

 5. Anthony Volpe — SS

 6. Jazz Chisholm Jr. — 2B

 7. Ryan McMahon — 3B

 8. Max Schuemann — CF

 9. Ali Sánchez — C

 P: Brendan Beck (RHP)

Team News and Notes:

Byron Buxton returns to the lineup after missing the last 4 games with a right hip injury. Buxton finished second in the final voting for Outfielders, trailing only Mike Trout of the Angels. Based on those results he will be starting for the American League in Philadelphia.

By Troy Geary

Geary Sports & Entertainment Network

Bronx, New York:

The Minnesota Twins opened a three-game series against the New York Yankees Friday night looking to build on the momentum of taking two of three from the Houston Astros to begin their six-game road trip. Instead, the Yankees ended their seven-game losing streak with a 5-2 victory at Yankee Stadium.

Minnesota entered the night at 42-46, trying to continue its climb back into the American League playoff race before the All-Star break. Every game has become increasingly important as the Twins front office evaluates whether to buy, sell, or stand pat at the trade deadline.

The Twins struck first in the opening inning. With two outs, Kody Clemens turned on a 1-2 knuckle curve from Gerrit Cole and drove it 405 feet into the left-center field seats for his 15th home run of the season, giving Minnesota a quick 1-0 lead.

The Yankees answered right back in the bottom of the first. Trent Grisham worked a full count before sending a changeup from Mike Paredes into the right-field bleachers to tie the game at 1-1.

Neither team scored in the second inning, and after the Twins were retired in order in the third, heavy rain forced a 53-minute delay.

Paredes returned after the delay and quickly recorded two outs, but New York took advantage late in the inning. Grisham singled before Ben Rice crushed a 3-2 fastball into the right-field seats for his 24th home run of the season, giving the Yankees a 3-1 lead.

Minnesota answered in the fourth. Clemens led off with a double down the right-field line before Victor Caratini delivered a two-out RBI single to left, scoring Clemens and cutting the deficit to 3-2.

The Twins had opportunities to pull even but couldn't capitalize. Luke Keaschall led off the fifth with a double, the third time Minnesota opened an inning with a double, but Gerrit Cole retired the next three hitters to keep the Yankees in front.

Meanwhile, the Twins bullpen kept the game within reach. Left-hander Kody Funderburk tossed two perfect innings, striking out four while retiring all six batters he faced.

New York created some breathing room in the seventh against Eric Orze. Ryan McMahon opened the inning with a double before José Caballero drove him home with an RBI single. Caballero later stole second, advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt, and scored on Grisham's sacrifice fly to extend the Yankees' lead to 5-2.

Minnesota mounted its best threat in the eighth. Keaschall singled and Trevor Larnach walked to put two runners on with nobody out. After Brooks Lee lined out, Clemens advanced both runners with a groundout before Josh Bell drew a walk to load the bases. Royce Lewis represented the tying run but grounded into a fielder's choice to end the inning, leaving the bases loaded.

The Yankees turned the game over to closer David Bednar in the ninth, and he slammed the door. Bednar struck out the side to secure the 5-2 victory as New York snapped its seven-game losing streak.

The Twins will look to even the series Saturday afternoon behind Zebby Matthews (4-5, 4.15 ERA). The Yankees go with RHP Brendan Beck 0-0, 6.00 ERA. First pitch is scheduled for 12:35 p.m. Central.

 Minnesota Twins 

 1. Trevor Larnach — LF

 2. Brooks Lee — 3B

 3. Kody Clemens — 2B

 4. Josh Bell — DH

 5. Royce Lewis — 1B

 6. Victor Caratini — C

 7. Ryan Kreidler — CF

 8. Tristan Gray — SS

 9. Luke Keaschall — RF 

 Pitcher: Mike Paredes (RHP)

  New York Yankees

 1. Trent Grisham — CF

 2. Ben Rice — DH

 3. Jasson Domínguez — RF

 4. Cody Bellinger — LF

 5. Paul Goldschmidt — 1B

 6. Jazz Chisholm Jr. — 2B

 7. Ryan McMahon — 3B 

 8. José Caballero — SS 

 9. Austin Wells — C 

 Pitcher: Gerrit Cole (RHP) 

By Troy Geary

Geary Sports & Entertainment Network

MINNEAPOLIS:

The Minnesota Twins closed out their series against the Colorado Rockies with a 3-2 victory Sunday afternoon at Target Field, using a career performance from Connor Prielipp and a timely home run from Ryan Kreidler to earn the series win.

Prielipp delivered the best start of his young career, striking out a career-high 10 over six innings while allowing two runs on six hits. The rookie left-hander didn't issue a walk and kept Colorado hitters off balance throughout his outing.

The Rockies struck first in the opening inning on a TJ Rumfield RBI single, but Minnesota answered in the second when Royce Lewis scored on a Colorado throwing error.

Kody Clemens gave the Twins their first lead in the fourth with a solo home run, his 12th of the season, before Colorado tied the game again in the sixth on Troy Johnston's RBI single.
The game stayed even until the seventh when Ryan Kreidler crushed a go-ahead solo homer to center field, giving Minnesota a 3-2 lead they wouldn't surrender.

Andrew Morris earned the win with 1⅓ scoreless innings out of the bullpen, and Yoendrys Gómez worked a perfect ninth for his eighth save of the season.

Minnesota finished with eight hits, led by Brooks Lee's two-hit afternoon, while Royce Lewis and Trevor Larnach each added doubles.

The Twins improve to 40-45 with the win and take two of three from the Rockies before opening a road trip in Houston on Monday.

 Rockies

 1. Willi Castro — 2B

 2. Tyler Freeman — RF

 3. Hunter Goodman — DH

 4. TJ Rumfield — 1B

 5. Cole Carrigg — CF

 6. Kyle Karros — 3B 

 7. Troy Johnston — LF

 8. Braxton Fulford — C

 9. Ezequiel Tovar — SS

 Pitcher: Ryan Feltner (RHP)

 Twins  

 1. Trevor Larnach — LF 

 2. Byron Buxton — DH

 3. Kody Clemens — 2B

 4. Royce Lewis — 1B

 5. Brooks Lee — 3B

 6. Luke Keaschall — RF

 7. Ryan Kreidler — SS

 8. Austin Martin — CF 

 9. Alex Jackson — C 

 Pitcher: Connor Prielipp (LHP) 

Team News and Notes:

OVER HIS LAST TEN GAMES TREVOR LARNACH IS HITTING .462 (18 FOR 39) WITH FOUR DOUBLES, TWO HR, 10 RBI, A .488 OB%, A .718 SLG%, AND A 1.206 OPS

By Troy Geary

Geary Sports & Entertainment Network

Minneapolis:

The Minnesota Twins needed a win, and Friday night they got one in dramatic fashion.  After watching a seven-run lead disappear, the Twins regrouped in the 10th inning as Royce Lewis delivered the game-winning hit to lift Minnesota to a 9-8 walk-off victory over the Colorado Rockies at Target Field.  The win snapped Minnesota's three-game losing streak and gave Derek Shelton's club a 1-0 lead in the weekend series.

The Twins came out with an aggressive approach at the plate, responding after being swept by the Los Angeles Dodgers. Minnesota collected 12 hits and built a 7-0 lead through the first five innings, putting constant pressure on Colorado's pitching staff.  Starting pitcher Taj Bradley gave the Twins a strong outing, working into the middle innings while keeping the Rockies' lineup in check. Bradley also reached the 500-strikeout milestone of his Major League career during the game.  Just when it looked like the Twins were on their way to a comfortable victory, the Rockies fought their way back.  

Colorado chipped away throughout the late innings before completing the comeback to force extra innings, turning what once looked like a lopsided game into one of the most entertaining contests of the season.

With the automatic runner aboard in the bottom of the 10th, Minnesota wasted little time. After advancing the winning run into scoring position, Royce Lewis came through with a clutch base hit, scoring the winning run and sending the Target Field crowd home celebrating.  For a Twins club searching for momentum, Friday's victory may have been exactly what it needed. The offense showed its ability to score early, the club responded after adversity late, and Minnesota found a way to finish in extra innings.

The Twins will look to carry that momentum into Saturday when Mike Paredes 0-0, 4.05 ERA takes the mound, while Colorado goes with Michael Lorenzen 2-9, 7.11 ERA.

 Rockies 

 1. Jake McCarthy — RF

 2. Mickey Moniak — LF

 3. Hunter Goodman — C

 4. TJ Rumfield — 1B

 5. Willi Castro — 3B 

 6. Troy Johnston — DH

 7. Cole Carrigg — CF 

 8. Ezequiel Tovar — SS

 9. Edouard Julien — 2B

 Pitcher: Tomoyuki Sugano (RHP) 

 Twins 

 1. Trevor Larnach — LF

 2. Byron Buxton — CF

 3. Kody Clemens — 2B 

 4. Josh Bell — DH 

 5. Victor Caratini — C

 6. Royce Lewis — 1B 

 7. Brooks Lee — 3B

 8. Tristan Gray — SS

 9. Luke Keaschall — RF

 Pitcher: Taj Bradley (RHP) 

Team News and Notes:

Go Vote for Byron!  

Twins Centerfielder Byron Buxton has moved on to Phase 2 in the All-Star Voting. If he stays in top 3 for Outfielders, he will start next month in Philadelphia. 

By Troy Geary

Geary Sports & Entertainment Network

Minneapolis:

The Twins dropped the first two games of the series against the Dodgers and looked to salvage the finale with a win Wednesday night. That was no easy task with two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani on the mound. The Twins countered with Joe Ryan, who has been Minnesota's best pitcher this season. Originally scheduled to start Tuesday, Ryan was pushed back a day after feeling under the weather. In his last outing on June 18 against Texas, he pitched five scoreless innings, allowing just three hits while walking two and striking out seven in a 9-3 victory. Ryan's sweeper has been his best pitch this season, and he hoped it would keep the Dodgers off balance. Many of the casual fans in attendance were there to see one player—Shohei Ohtani. Ohtani entered Wednesday's start at 7-2 with a 1.47 ERA and had been dominant over his previous six starts. The Twins needed to get to him early if they hoped to have success. In his last start on June 17 against Tampa Bay, he pitched six innings, allowing four runs on seven hits while striking out five. So, grab your popcorn—this one had all the makings of a great pitching matchup.

Joe Ryan looked sharp in the top of the first inning, retiring the Dodgers in order on just 11 pitches. Shohei Ohtani lined out to right on the first pitch of the game, and Ryan followed by striking out Andy Pages and Freddie Freeman on his signature sweeper. Ohtani tried to match Ryan in the bottom of the inning, recording two quick outs. Trevor Larnach grounded back to Ohtani, and Byron Buxton flied out to left. Kody Clemens then worked a four-pitch walk, but Josh Bell flied out to left to end the inning as the game remained scoreless.

The Dodgers struck first in the top of the second. Mookie Betts led off by crushing a 3-2 fastball 400 feet into the Dodgers' bullpen in left-center field. It was his ninth home run of the season and the 300th of his career, giving Los Angeles a 1-0 lead. Max Muncy followed with a single to left, but Ryan retired Alex Call on a fly ball to right before Ryan Ward grounded out, allowing Muncy to advance to third with two outs. Dalton Rushing, who left Monday's game with a possible concussion, returned to the lineup but struck out to end the inning.

The Twins answered immediately in the bottom of the second. Victor Caratini led off with a single to right. After Royce Lewis struck out, Brooks Lee singled up the middle, and Tristan Gray followed with a single to left to load the bases. Ryan Kreidler then came to the plate. A passed ball by Dodgers catcher Dalton Rushing bounced into the dugout, allowing Caratini to score and tie the game at 1-1 while advancing the runners to second and third. Kreidler then lined a single to left-center, scoring Lee and Gray to give the Twins a 3-1 lead. Trying to stretch the hit into a double, Kreidler was thrown out at second. Larnach struck out to end the inning, but the Twins had their first lead of the series.

The lead was short-lived. Alex Freeland led off the third with a double to right-center. Ohtani followed with an RBI single to center, cutting the lead to 3-2. Ryan struck out Pages for the second time before walking Freeman. Betts singled to left to load the bases, and Muncy tied the game with an RBI single. Alex Call then lifted a sacrifice fly to right, scoring Freeman and giving the Dodgers a 4-3 lead. Ryan Ward popped out to first to end the inning. Ohtani settled in during the bottom half, striking out the side to preserve the lead.

Ryan matched Ohtani in the fourth, striking out the side, including Ohtani to end the inning. The Twins threatened in the bottom half. After Ohtani recorded two quick outs, Lee walked and Gray doubled down the right-field line to put runners on second and third. Kreidler tried to deliver again, but Betts made an outstanding defensive play to his left and threw him out to end the inning.

The Dodgers threatened in the fifth. Freeman singled with one out, and Betts doubled down the right-field line to put runners on second and third. Ryan responded by striking out Muncy before getting Call to fly out to center to escape the jam. Ohtani retired the Twins in order on just 10 pitches, and Los Angeles maintained its 4-3 lead after five innings.

Ryan kept the Twins within one run in the sixth, retiring the Dodgers in order. Ohtani continued to settle in, striking out Bell and Caratini before getting Lewis to ground out to short.

The Twins turned to their bullpen in the seventh after Ryan's night ended. His final line: six innings, eight hits, four earned runs, one walk, and nine strikeouts. Former Dodger Anthony Banda, who received his World Series ring from the Dodgers earlier in the week, entered for Minnesota. He struck out Ohtani to begin the inning before hitting Pages with a pitch. Freeman singled to put runners on first and second, but Banda got Betts to pop out and struck out Muncy to escape the inning.

The Dodgers also went to the bullpen after Ohtani's six strong innings. His final line: six innings, five hits, three earned runs, two walks, and eight strikeouts. Kyle Hurt took over. Lee led off with a walk before Gray struck out. Kreidler flied out to center, but Larnach walked to put runners on first and second for Buxton. With a chance to tie the game, Buxton popped out in foul territory to Freddie Freeman at first to end the threat.

Yoendrys Gómez retired the Dodgers in order in the eighth, keeping the Twins within one. The Dodgers countered with setup man Alex Vesia. After striking out the first two batters, Caratini singled to left for his second hit of the game. Lewis followed with a single, giving the Twins runners on first and second with two outs. Lee chased a high fastball and struck out to end the inning.

Andrew Morris pitched the ninth for Minnesota and retired Freeland before Ohtani singled to right for his second hit of the night. Morris quickly bounced back, getting Pages to hit into a 6-4-3 double play to give the Twins one final opportunity.

The Dodgers turned to closer Tanner Scott in the bottom of the ninth. Austin Martin pinch-hit for Tristan Gray and singled to right. Kreidler flied out to right, and Luke Keaschall pinch-hit for Trevor Larnach but struck out on a checked swing. Buxton then battled Scott to a full count but struck out on a pitch in the dirt to end the game as the Dodgers completed the sweep with a 4-3 victory.

The Twins have Thursday off before continuing their homestand Friday against the Colorado Rockies. Joe Ryan took the loss to fall to 5-4. Shohei Ohtani earned his eighth win of the season, improving to 8-2, while Tanner Scott recorded his 11th save.

 Los Angeles Dodgers

 1. Shohei Ohtani — DH 

 2. Andy Pages — CF

 3. Freddie Freeman — 1B

 4. Mookie Betts — SS

 5. Max Muncy — 3B

 6. Alex Call — RF 

 7. Ryan Ward — LF

 8. Dalton Rushing — C

 9. Alex Freeland — 2B 

 Pitcher: Shohei Ohtani (RHP, 7–2, 1.47 ERA)  

 Minnesota Twins

 1. Trevor Larnach — LF

 2. Byron Buxton — CF

 3. Kody Clemens — RF

 4. Josh Bell — DH 

 5. Royce Lewis — 1B

 6. Brooks Lee — 3B 

 7. Victor Caratini — C

 8. Tristan Gray — 2B

 9. Ryan Kreidler — SS

 Pitcher: Joe Ryan (RHP, 5–3, 2.99 ERA)

The Twins are recalled LHP Kody Funderburk and RHP Marco Raya. To make room for Funderburk and Raya, the Twins have optioned LHP Kendry Rojas and designated RHP Austin Voth for release or assignment. 

On this day in Twins History: In 1964 the Twins signed 18-year old and future Hall of Famer Rod Carew.

By Troy Geary

Geary Sports & Entertainment Network

Minneapolis:

The Twins lost the opening game of the series to the Dodgers last night, 2-1, in a pitchers' duel. The game started with fireworks, as fans in attendance saw first-inning home runs by Shohei Ohtani and Byron Buxton. Both teams were then shut down until the top of the sixth inning, when Freddie Freeman hit a solo home run that proved to be the game-winner. Despite the loss, the Twins remain competitive and are still in the thick of the AL Central and Wild Card races.

They looked to bounce back tonight and even the series at one game apiece. Pitching for the Twins was rookie left-hander Kendry Rojas. Rojas, 1-0 with a 1.26 ERA, had just returned from the injured list after missing the past month. Acquired from Toronto last July in exchange for Louie Varland, Rojas has electric stuff, and if he can stay healthy, he could be a major asset to the Twins' pitching staff.

The Dodgers countered with left-hander Justin Wrobleski, who entered the game 8-2 with a 2.72 ERA. In his last start on June 16 against Tampa Bay, Wrobleski pitched six innings, allowing three hits while walking none and striking out five. He has been the Dodgers' most consistent pitcher this season.

After a 30-minute rain delay, the game got underway. The Dodgers struck first for the second consecutive night. Rojas walked Shohei Ohtani and Andy Pages to begin the game but recovered to strike out Freddie Freeman and Mookie Betts. With two outs, Tommy Edman singled up the middle, scoring Ohtani to give Los Angeles a 1-0 lead. Rojas then struck out Max Muncy to end the inning.

The Twins were retired in order in the bottom of the first on three fly balls to right field by Austin Martin, Byron Buxton, and Josh Bell.

Rojas walked Alex Call to begin the second inning but settled down from there. Alex Freeland flew out to right, Chuckie Robinson grounded into a fielder's choice, and Rojas struck out Ohtani to end the inning.

The Twins tied the game in the bottom of the second. Wrobleski recorded two quick outs as Royce Lewis grounded out to third and Brooks Lee grounded sharply to short. Victor Caratini then came to the plate. Ahead 3-0 in the count, Caratini took a strike and challenged the call, but replay showed it was indeed a strike. On the next pitch, he launched a 370-foot home run into the left-field bleachers, his sixth of the season, to tie the game at 1-1. Luke Keaschall followed with a walk, but Ryan Kreidler grounded out to third to end the inning.

The Twins' defense cost them in the top of the third as the Dodgers regained the lead. Freeman doubled with one out off Austin Voth, who had entered in relief of Rojas as part of the Twins' bullpen game. Voth then struck out Betts, but Edman hit a soft pop-up that dropped in front of Keaschall. Keaschall attempted to flip the ball to first, but his throw sailed wide, allowing Freeman to score and make it 2-1. Muncy then flied out to end the inning.


The lead didn't last long. Martin reached on an error by Betts to start the bottom of the third. Buxton doubled into the left-center gap, but Martin was thrown out at home for the first out. Josh Bell followed with an RBI single to shallow center, scoring Buxton to tie the game at 2-2. Lewis then singled to left, but Lee flied out to center to end the inning.


The Dodgers continued to apply pressure in the fourth. Call singled to lead off the inning, and with one out, Robinson added another single to put runners on first and third. Ohtani then hit a sacrifice fly to left, scoring Call and giving the Dodgers a 3-2 lead. Pages followed with an RBI single to score Robinson, making it 4-2, and Betts added another RBI single to plate Pages and extend the lead to 5-2. Edman struck out to end the inning, but the damage was done.


Wrobleski cruised through the bottom of the fourth, retiring the Twins in order.


Both teams were scoreless in the fifth. The Dodgers added to their lead in the sixth when Pages singled and Freeman doubled into the left-center gap to score him, making it 6-2. It was Freeman's second double of the game. Voth then retired the next three hitters to escape further damage. Wrobleski, meanwhile, retired the Twins in order for the fourth time.


Voth returned for the seventh but ran into trouble. Call led off with a walk and Freeland followed with a single. The Twins turned to right-hander Travis Adams. With runners on first and third and nobody out, Robinson laid down a bunt. Adams took the sure out at first, but Call scored to make it 7-2. Adams then struck out Ohtani and Pages to end the inning.

Wrobleski returned for the bottom of the seventh and allowed only a two-out walk to Kyler Fedko before retiring Martin on a fly ball to second, completing another quality start.

Adams worked a scoreless eighth, striking out two. The Dodgers then turned to their bullpen, and the Twins went down in order for the sixth time in eight innings.

Los Angeles put the game away in the ninth, scoring five runs off left-hander Taylor Rogers to extend the lead to 12-2. Former Twin Brock Stewart came on to close it out for the Dodgers.

Brooks Lee led off the bottom of the ninth with a solo home run, his 13th of the season, cutting the deficit to 12-3. That was all the Twins could muster, however, as they fell to the Dodgers 12-3.


The Twins will try to salvage the series tomorrow when Joe Ryan (5-3, 2.99 ERA) takes the mound. The Dodgers will counter with two-way star Shohei Ohtani (7-2, 1.47 ERA). First pitch is scheduled for 6:40 p.m. CT.