Clemens 2 HRs Not Enough As Bullpen Falters Late, Royals Top Twins 8-6

Minneapolis:

By Troy Geary

Geary Sports & Entertainment Network

The Kansas City Royals, at the beginning of the season, in most predictions had them winning the division or being a Wild Card team. As of Thursday night, they were 24-38. The Minnesota Twins have a favorable schedule in the month of June against teams with worse records than their own. They look to capitalize on that before the All-Star Break. If they can do that, all bets are off going into the trade deadline.

The team, by all accounts so far, has exceeded expectations. While the bullpen is a work in progress, as Twins Manager Derek Shelton is trying to pin down roles for guys, injuries have hampered that so far in 2026. Their offense is middle of the pack in the American League but has improved as the weather has warmed up. Getting a few guys back from injuries and getting more consistent roles for the bullpen, to go along with timely hitting, could put the Twins in the Wild Card race. That's the biggest question: if they can. The month of June could be key in answering that.


The Twins went with long reliever Andrew Morris for a spot start on Thursday's opener of the series vs. the Kansas City Royals. He started the game by striking out Royals catcher Carter Jensen. Then shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. singled and stole second. First baseman Vinnie Pasquantino then walked. With designated hitter Salvador Perez at the plate, Morris threw a wild pitch, advancing Witt Jr. to third base. Perez then hit a sacrifice fly to right field, scoring Witt Jr. to make it 1-0. Right fielder Jac Caglianone singled to right field, advancing Pasquantino to third base. Left fielder Isaac Collins, who the Royals acquired from the Brewers in the offseason, flied out to left field to end the top of the first inning.


Royals starter Seth Lugo, who was an All-Star in 2024 and one of their most reliable pitchers, got the start Thursday night. Twins designated hitter Byron Buxton quickly tied the game on a 1-1 sinker that Lugo missed his spot on, and Buxton hit it 430 feet to dead center to tie the game. It was Buxton's 18th home run of the season. Third baseman Brooks Lee then lined out to center. With one out, first baseman Kody Clemens grounded out to second. Right fielder Austin Martin then struck out to end the bottom of the first inning.


The Royals again took the lead in the top of the second inning. Second baseman Michael Massey singled to center. Third baseman Nick Loftin then singled to right, and the Royals had runners on first and second with no outs. Center fielder Kyle Isbel bunted a perfectly placed ball and beat the throw to first, and the bases were loaded with still no outs. But Morris battled back, getting Jensen to foul out to third base for the first out of the inning. Witt Jr. then grounded into a fielder's choice as Clemens threw home to force out Massey for the second out. But Morris threw his second wild pitch of the game, scoring Loftin to make it 2-1. Pasquantino, looking to tack on some more runs, struck out to end the top of the second inning.


The Twins answered in the bottom of the second inning and tied the game once again. With one out, second baseman Luke Keaschall walked. Catcher Victor Caratini then doubled to the gap in left-center, scoring Keaschall to tie it up at 2. Ryan Kriedler, getting his first start at shortstop, grounded out to third. Center fielder James Outman couldn't get Caratini home and struck out to end the second inning.


The Twins then brought in another rookie in reliever Mike Paredes. Paredes, who was just recalled last week in Pittsburgh, continued to impress, as he retired the Royals in order in the top of the third inning. The Twins retook the lead in the bottom of the third inning. With two outs, Kody Clemens hit a first-pitch curveball 415 feet to center field, and the Twins led 3-2 going into the fourth inning. It was Clemens' eighth home run of the season.


The Royals answered right back in the top of the fourth inning with a leadoff home run on the first pitch by Michael Massey to tie the game at 3. It was Massey's sixth home run of the season. Paredes then retired the Royals in order to end the top of the fourth inning.


The Twins responded in the bottom of the fourth to take the lead again. Trevor Larnach led off with a single to center. With two outs, Kriedler gave the Twins the lead with a triple to the gap in left-center, scoring Larnach, and the Twins had a 4-3 lead after four innings.


Paredes, back for his third inning, did a masterful job getting the Royals in order after an error by second baseman Luke Keaschall in the top of the fifth inning. With two outs, the Twins padded their lead in the bottom of the fifth inning when Kody Clemens hit his second home run of the night. This time, a 1-1 sweeper to right field made the score 5-3 Twins, his ninth home run of the season.


Paredes came back out for the sixth inning. Collins led off with a walk. After getting Massey and Loftin to fly out, Twins Manager Derek Shelton turned to Anthony Banda. Paredes' final line was 3.2 innings pitched, allowing three runs on two hits while striking out one batter. Isbel then singled to left as Collins advanced to third base. Jensen then doubled to left, scoring Collins and Isbel to tie the game once again at 5-5. But errors cost the Twins again as Kriedler couldn't handle a Witt Jr. grounder, scoring Jensen, and the Royals led again 6-5. Banda then got Pasquantino to line out to center to end the top of the sixth inning.


Then the skies opened up on Prince Night at Target Field. With the rain falling as the grounds crew rolled out the tarp, "Purple Rain" was playing over the loudspeakers. The game was delayed 1 hour and 7 minutes before play resumed in the bottom of the sixth inning.


The Royals brought in reliever John Schreiber after the rain delay. With two outs, Victor Caratini tied the game for the fifth time, hitting a 1-2 fastball 365 feet to right field to tie the game at 6. It was Caratini's third home run of the season, and the game was tied going into the seventh inning.


Both teams' bullpens did their jobs in the seventh and eighth innings.


But it was the Royals who struck late in the top of the ninth inning. The Twins brought in Taylor Rogers to keep the game tied, but he was unable to do so. Perez led off with a single. Lane Thomas then pinch-hit for Caglianone and also singled to left. Collins then bunted to move the runners up to second and third base with one out. The Twins then brought on Justin Lawrence.


Lawrence, acquired just days ago from Pittsburgh for cash considerations, walked pinch-hitter Maikel Garcia, who was hitting for Massey, loading the bases. The Royals then pinch-hit again, this time Josh Rojas for Loftin. Rojas, who had just been brought up from AAA Omaha before the game, hit a ball up the middle with the infield in, scoring Tolbert and Thomas to make it 8-6. Tolbert was pinch running for Perez. It was Rojas' second hit of the day, as he was starting for Omaha before being pulled from their game in the fifth inning and called up to the club. Lawrence then struck out Jensen and Witt Jr., but the damage was done.


The Royals brought in Alex Lange to close it out in the bottom of the ninth inning. The Twins tried to tie the game or win it. Caratini led off with a single. After pinch-hitter Tristan Gray flied out to center, Buxton walked. But with runners on first and second and one out, Orlando Arcia grounded into a force out, and Caratini was out at second. The Twins' last hope was Brooks Lee, but he grounded out to second base to end the game as the Twins dropped the opening game of the series to the Royals, 8-6.


Game two of the four-game series is Friday night at 7:10 p.m. The Twins will go with Zebby Mathews, 1-3 with a 4.63 ERA, while the Royals will start Michael Wacha, 4-3 with a 3.23 ERA. You can catch the game on Apple TV.

 Kansas City Royals 

 1. Carter Jensen — C

 2. Bobby Witt Jr. — SS

 3. Vinnie Pasquantino — 1B

 4. Salvador Perez — DH 

 5. Jac Caglianone — RF

 6. Isaac Collins — LF

 7. Michael Massey — 2B

 8. Nick Loftin — 3B

 9. Kyle Isbel — CF 

 Pitcher: Seth Lugo (RHP)

  Minnesota Twins 

 1. Byron Buxton — DH 

 2. Brooks Lee — 3B

 3. Kody Clemens — 1B

 4. Austin Martin — RF 

 5. Trevor Larnach — LF

 6. Luke Keaschall — 2B 

 7. Victor Caratini — C 

 8. Ryan Kreidler — SS

 9. James Outman — CF

  Pitcher: Andrew Morris (RHP) 

Minneapolis:

By Troy Geary

Geary Sports & Entertainment Network

The Minnesota Twins looked to win their second straight game vs. the Chicago White Sox Tuesday night. Twins starter Connor Prielipp (1-3, 5.13 ERA) took the mound vs. White Sox starter Davis Martin (8-1, 2.00 ERA). Prielipp, in his last start on May 27th vs. the White Sox, surrendered a career-high six runs on eight hits, with three walks and five strikeouts in 4.1 innings pitched, taking the loss. Martin also faced the Twins in his last start on May 28th. He allowed one run on two hits, with two walks and five strikeouts in the win.

In the top of the first inning, the White Sox went quietly. 2B Chase Meidroth struck out. RF Randal Grichuk then popped out to second base. 3B Miguel Vargas was awarded first base on catcher's interference by Twins catcher Alex Jackson. But Prielipp got C Edgar Quero to ground out to third base to end the top half of the first inning. The Twins led off with Byron Buxton. Buxton, who hadn't played center field in 10 days, was back roaming the outfield and flied out to right field. 3B Brooks Lee continued to swing a hot bat and then singled to right field. But 1B Kody Clemens hit into a 4-6-3 double play to end the first inning, and the game remained scoreless.

Prielipp, trying to rebound from his last two starts where he got roughed up, came out in the top of the second mixing up pitches. After LF Sam Antonacci grounded out to shortstop, he got CF Derek Hill to strike out on a perfectly located sinker before getting DH Andrew Benintendi to strike out after a Twins ABS challenge to end the top half of the second inning. Twins DH Josh Bell, who has had multiple hits in his last three games, led off with a single to left. LF Trevor Larnach hit a sharp line drive that was caught by 2B Meidroth. RF Austin Martin then hit a chopper to shortstop, and the White Sox were only able to get the force out at second base. 2B Luke Keaschall then hit a shallow fly ball to left-center that Antonacci made a diving catch on to end the second inning, as the score remained scoreless.

The White Sox manufactured a run in the top of the third inning on the speed of SS Luisangel Acuña. Acuña walked, stole second, then third base. Twins' catcher Alex Jackson, on the throw to 3B Lee, sailed it over his head, allowing Acuña to score and make it 1-0. With one out, Meidroth singled. Grichuk then doubled to left center. With runners on second and third base, Vargas struck again with a two-run single to left field to make it 3-0. Vargas now has six RBIs in his last 12 innings vs. the Twins. Prielipp was able to regroup and get Antonacci and Hill out to end the top half of the third inning. The Twins answered in the bottom of the third inning. SS Tristan Gray led off with a single to right field, then advanced to second base on a balk by White Sox pitcher Davis Martin. C Alex Jackson bunted to move the runner to third base but was safe on the throw to first base, as White Sox 1B Jacob Gonzalez wasn't aware of the bag and Jackson beat him there. Buxton then struck out before Lee hit a sacrifice fly to make it 3-1. Clemens then flied out to center field to end the bottom of the third inning.

Prielipp had a quick inning in the top of the fourth inning, striking out Benintendi and Gonzalez and getting Acuña to ground out to short. The Twins took the lead in the bottom of the fourth inning. Larnach led off with a double down the right-field line. Martin then walked. Keaschall hit an RBI double to left center, scoring Larnach to make it 3-2. Gray then gave the Twins the lead with a two-run single to left field, scoring Martin and Keaschall to make it 4-3 Twins. Jackson then hit a broken-bat single to right field, scoring Gray to make it 5-3. It was Jackson's first RBI as a member of the club. After a single by Buxton, Lee hit into a 4-6-3 double play to end the fourth inning.

The White Sox weren't able to answer in the top of the fifth inning. Meidroth led off with a walk. But Prielipp then got Grichuk to ground into a force out at second base. Vargas and Quero then flied out to left field to end the top of the fifth inning. The Twins added to their lead in the bottom of the fifth. Bell walked with one out. Larnach then also walked. After a lineout by Martin to short, Keaschall hit an RBI single to left field, scoring Bell to make it 6-3. That was it for White Sox starter Davis Martin. His final line was 4.2 innings pitched, allowing six runs on 10 hits while walking three and striking out two batters. Reliever Sean Newcomb then came in and retired Gray on a fly ball to center field to end the fifth inning.

Prielipp needed only 11 pitches to retire the White Sox in the top of the sixth inning. Antonacci hit a comebacker to Prielipp for the out at first base. Hill then flied out to right before Benintendi struck out to end the top half of the sixth inning. Newcomb came back out for the White Sox in the bottom of the sixth inning and retired the Twins in order, and the score remained 6-3 Twins.

The White Sox got things going again in the top of the seventh inning. Acuña and Gonzalez hit back-to-back singles with no outs. Twins manager Derek Shelton came out and got Prielipp. In came reliever Andrew Morris. Meidroth then hit an RBI single through the hole at third and beat the throw to first, scoring Acuña to make it 6-4. Morris then got Grichuk and Vargas to strike out. The White Sox then pinch-hit for Quero. Colson Montgomery was then hit by a pitch to load the bases. Lefty Anthony Banda was then summoned from the bullpen to face the left-handed-hitting Antonacci. Banda struck him out on a nasty slider down and away to end the White Sox threat in the top of the seventh inning. The White Sox then turned to reliever Trevor Richards in the bottom of the seventh inning. Clemens struck out. Bell was then hit by a pitch. Larnach then flied out to shortstop. Martin then hit a ground ball to shortstop Montgomery, who got Bell at second base for the force out, and the inning was over.

Banda came back out for the top of the eighth inning. He has pitched well as of late. He got two quick outs on strikeouts, getting Hill and Benintendi. Acuña then hit a slow roller to third base and beat out the throw to first. Gonzalez then walked to put runners on first and second with two outs. Shelton then turned to Yoendrys Gómez to try to keep the lead at 6-4. Meidroth, who came into the at-bat 2-for-3 with a walk, struck out to end the top of the eighth inning. The Twins tried to add a few insurance runs in the bottom of the eighth but were unable to do so. Keaschall grounded out to shortstop. Gray then flied out to center field. Jackson, who had his best game so far as a Twin with two hits, struck out to end the eighth inning.

Gómez came back out in the top of the ninth inning to try to save the game and give the Twins their second straight win over the White Sox. Tristan Peters led off the inning for the White Sox, pinch-hitting for Grichuk, who was 1-for-4 on the night, but he struck out for the first out of the inning. Vargas then grounded out to shortstop for the second out. Montgomery was the White Sox's last hope to extend the game. But Gómez got him to fly out to center field to end the game and give the Twins the 6-4 victory.

Connor Prielipp got the win and is now 2-3, while Davis Martin took the loss for the White Sox and fell to 8-2. Yoendrys Gómez earned his fourth save of the season.

The Twins go for the sweep tomorrow as Taj Bradley (5-1, 3.21 ERA) takes the mound, while the White Sox go with Erick Fedde (0-5, 5.40 ERA). Game time is 12:40 p.m.

 Chicago White Sox 

 1. Chase Meidroth — 2B

 2. Randal Grichuk — RF

 3. Miguel Vargas — 3B

 4. Edgar Quero — C

 5. Sam Antonacci — LF

 6. Derek Hill — CF

 7. Andrew Benintendi — DH

 8. Luisangel Acuña — SS 

 9. Jacob Gonzalez — 1B

 Pitcher: Davis Martin (RHP) 

  Minnesota Twins

 1. Byron Buxton — CF

 2. Brooks Lee — 3B

 3. Kody Clemens — 1B

 4. Josh Bell — DH

 5. Trevor Larnach — LF

 6. Austin Martin — RF 

 7. Luke Keaschall — 2B

 8. Tristan Gray — SS 

 9. Alex Jackson — C 

 Pitcher: Connor Prielipp (LHP)

Team News and Notes

Team acquired Reliever Justin Lawrence from the Pittsburgh Pirates after last night's game for cash considerations and activated him to roster. LHP Kody Funderburk was optioned to AAA St. Paul in corresponding move.

INF Tristan Gray hit his second career Grand Slam last night, both coming this season.

Reliever Cole Sands is scheduled to begin his rehab assignment tonight with AAA St. Paul.

Minneapolis:

By Troy Geary

Geary Sports & Entertainment Network

Minnesota Twins Infielder Brooks Lee has learned how to adapt in his MLB career. Drafted 8th overall in 2022, Lee quickly ascended to the Majors, making his Major League Debut on July 3rd, 2024, vs the Detroit Tigers, in just over two years after he was drafted. Lee joins Jackson Holiday, Cade Horton, and Kumar Rocker that has made it the Major Leagues in that time span from the 2022 draft class. I spoke with Brooks a few days ago in Pittsburgh and asked him about how much his father Larry helped him get to where he is today. "He has helped me tremendously, one of the main reasons I turned down other division 1 offers to play for him at Cal Poly", Lee said. Larry Lee this season has led Cal Poly to the Super Regionals vs West Virginia this week, and are one of sixteen teams left vying for a National Championship. With his biggest supporter rooting him on from Minnesota. Lee started his Twins career primarily at shortstop. He has played all infield positions in his career. Twins Manager Derek Shelton after Royce Lewis was optioned to St. Paul, moved Lee to Third Base. "I don't care what position I play, I just want to help the team win', Lee told me. With Twins close to promoting Kaelen Culpepper to play shortstop in the near future and with great infield depth, the Twins look set in the infield for years to come.

Minneapolis:

By Troy Geary

Geary Sports & Entertainment Network

The Chicago White Sox are supposed to be in a rebuilding mode. After finishing 41-121 in 2024 and 60-102 in 2025, they are off to their best start since 2012, with a record of 32-27 entering a three-game series with the Twins Monday night. The White Sox last week in Chicago won 3 out of 4 games vs. the Twins and are just 1 game back of division leader Cleveland.

I spoke with White Sox General Manager Chris Getz before the game about his philosophy of staying patient with the process vs. taking advantage of the team's success and being aggressive for a potential playoff run.

"Obviously, I said before I was more focused on long-term growth, but there is no denying the way the team is playing. If things present themselves to improve this team while still being focused on long-term stability, then I'm all for that," Getz told me.

The White Sox also have the 1st overall pick in next month's MLB Draft in Philadelphia. Getz said they are still evaluating all options, and the team has a lot of work to do in the next month to make sure they get it right. ESPN's Kiley McDaniel has them selecting Roch Cholowsky, a shortstop out of UCLA. High school shortstop Grady Emerson remains a strong possibility as well.

Getz, who played 7 seasons as an infielder with the White Sox, Royals, and Blue Jays, knows a thing or two about what it takes to play that position in the Majors. Will Getz be aggressive and make a run now and put the rebuild on hold? Only time will tell, but these White Sox look like they are for real and the rebuild has accelerated.

Twins Joe Ryan, in his last start last week vs. the White Sox, pitched 7.2 quality innings but gave up a two-run home run to Munetaka Murakami that tied the game at two, resulting in a no-decision. Ryan looked to continue his success vs. the White Sox Monday night.

Left fielder Sam Antonacci led off with a grounder that Twins shortstop Tristan Gray couldn't handle, resulting in an error. Third baseman Miguel Vargas doubled off the left-field wall. But Ryan battled back to get designated hitter Andrew Benintendi to strike out. Shortstop Colson Montgomery then popped out to second base. Ryan then got second baseman Chase Meidroth to chase a ball in the dirt for the strikeout and end the top half of the first inning unscathed.

The Twins gave Ryan some early run support in the bottom of the first inning. Brooks Lee, who hit two home runs in yesterday's finale in Pittsburgh, continued to swing a hot bat, singling to right field. Center fielder Kody Clemens then singled to right as well. Rookie David Sandlin, pitching in his second start of the season, got first baseman Josh Bell to strike out. Left fielder Trevor Larnach then gave the Twins a 1-0 lead on an RBI single to left center. Right fielder Austin Martin tried to tack on some more runs but flied out to center to end the first inning.

Ryan for the Twins and Sandlin for the White Sox retired each side, respectively, in the second inning

.

The White Sox tied the game at 1 in the top of the third inning. Antonacci led off with a double down the right-field line. After a flyout to right field by Vargas, Benintendi hit an RBI single to left center, scoring Antonacci to tie the game. Ryan came back and struck out Montgomery to end the top half of the third inning. Sandlin then retired the Twins in order in the bottom of the third inning.

The White Sox tried to take the lead in the top of the fourth inning. Meidroth led off with a ground-rule double to the gap in left-center. Ryan regrouped and struck out rookie Jacob Gonzalez for the second time of the night. Tristan Peters then grounded out to third base before catcher Edgar Quero struck out to end the threat.

The Twins gave Joe Ryan much-needed run support in the bottom of the fourth inning. Bell led off with a double off the left-center-field wall to start the inning. Larnach then hit a slow roller to short that he was able to beat out for an infield single. With runners on first and third, Martin hit a comebacker to Sandlin, who threw to second for the force out. Caratini then, with the infield in, hit a grounder to short, getting Bell at the plate for the second out. Luke Keaschall then drew a walk to load the bases for Tristan Gray.

Gray, trying to atone for his error in the first inning, hit a 1-0 curveball 385 feet into the seats in right field for the grand slam and gave the Twins a 5-1 lead. It was the second grand slam of the season for Gray, who hit one vs. Tampa Bay in the Twins' home opener. Sandlin then, after a two-out single by Byron Buxton, struck out Lee to end the inning.

The White Sox weren't going to go quietly. Speedy right fielder Rikuu Nishida beat out a grounder to second to start the top of the fifth inning. After a flyout by Antonacci to left field, Vargas hit a 410-foot home run to the White Sox bullpen in left-center to make it 5-3. It was the 14th home run of the season for Vargas. Benintendi got them closer on the next pitch, sending a fastball 385 feet to right field to make it 5-4. Ryan then got Montgomery to strike out for the second time of the night before Meidroth flied out to left to end the top half of the fifth inning.

The Twins chased White Sox starter Sandlin in the bottom of the fifth inning. Clemens led off with a walk. Bell got his second hit of the night with a sharp single to right field. Larnach then walked to load the bases for the second time in the game. White Sox manager Will Venable then turned to reliever Tyler Davis to face Martin. Martin, prior to the at-bat, was hitless in his previous 18 at-bats and singled to right to score Clemens for a 6-4 lead. Caratini then kept the line moving with an RBI single to left field for a 7-4 lead with still no outs. Keaschall made it 8-4 with a sacrifice fly to right field. Gray then came up looking to do more damage. He got his 5th RBI of the night with a sacrifice fly of his own to score Martin to make it 9-4 Twins. Buxton then struck out to end the inning.

White Sox starter David Sandlin pitched 4 innings, giving up 8 runs while striking out four batters. Twins starter Joe Ryan went 6 innings, allowing 4 runs while striking out 9 batters.

The Twins went to reliever Kody Funderburk in the top of the seventh inning. He only allowed a walk in his inning of work. Yoendrys Gomez then came on in the top of the eighth inning and also pitched a scoreless inning, allowing just a two-out double to Peters.

The Twins went quietly in the 7th and 8th innings as the game calmed down.

The Twins went with reliever Travis Adams in the top of the ninth to try to close it out and snap a 5-game losing streak. He got two quick outs before Antonacci singled. Then Miguel Vargas hit his second home run of the game to make it 9-6. It was the third multi-homer game of his career and his 15th home run of the season. Adams then struck out Montgomery to secure the 9-6 win over the White Sox in the first of a three-game series.

The Twins look to start another winning streak Tuesday night as Connor Prielipp (1-3, 5.13 ERA) takes the mound, while the White Sox send rookie Davis Martin (8-1, 2.00 ERA) to the hill. Game time is 6:40 PM.

Chicago White Sox

 1. Sam Antonacci — LF

 2. Miguel Vargas — 3B

 3. Andrew Benintendi — DH

 4. Colson Montgomery — SS

 5. Chase Meidroth — 2B 

 6. Jacob Gonzalez — 1B

 7. Tristan Peters — CF

 8. Edgar Quero — C

 9. Riku Nishida — RF 

 Pitcher: David Sandlin (RHP)

 Minnesota Twins

 1. Byron Buxton — DH

 2. Brooks Lee — 3B 

 3. Kody Clemens — CF

 4. Josh Bell — 1B

 5. Trevor Larnach — LF

 6. Austin Martin — RF

 7. Victor Caratini — C 

 8. Luke Keaschall — 2B

 9. Tristan Gray — SS  

Pitcher: Joe Ryan (RHP)

Team News and Notes:

Brooks Lee homered twice yesterday, his second career multi-homer game.

Since 5-7 the Twins bullpen in 22 games has an ERA of 3.19, and teams are only hitting .223 in those games.  In 37 games before that 5.63 ERA with teams batting .282.

 Pittsburgh: 

 By Troy Geary

 Geary Sports & Entertainment Network

Minnesota Twins Kody Clemens, all his life, has been around baseball. Son of legendary Boston Red Sox pitcher Roger Clemens, Kody knows the pressure that comes with that. Drafted by the Detroit Tigers in the 3rd round in 2018, then traded two times, first to Philadelphia, before finally finding a home in Minnesota, he quickly became a fan favorite. Known for his versatility, Clemens has played every position except catcher. He even boasted to his dad he struck out Shoei Ohtani when he was a member of the Tigers in 2022. He has started at centerfield, right field, left field, and second base over his last 15 games. In his last 18 games, Clemens is hitting .306 (22-72) with seven doubles, two triples, three home runs, nine RBI, a .333 on-base percentage, .583 slugging percentage, and a .971 OPS. Clemens starting in centerfield in the series finale vs the Pirates looks to stay hot with his bat as the Twins try to salvage the series with a win Sunday, before returning home for a seven-game homestand.

Twins starter Zebby Matthews, making his fourth start of the season, looked to bounce back after losing his last start vs the White Sox in Chicago, May 25th. Matthews pitched 6 quality innings, only allowing three runs on five hits, while striking out six batters in a 3-1 loss. Pirates starter Braxton Ashcraft made quick work of the Twins in the bottom of the first inning, getting right fielder Austin Martin to pop out to first base, before striking out second baseman Brooks Lee and centerfielder Kody Clemens. Matthews in the bottom of the first inning also worked quickly, retiring the Pirates in order, getting first baseman Spencer Horwitz to fly out to right field, before striking out second baseman Brandon Lowe and right fielder Bryan Reynolds.

Twins designated hitter Josh Bell led off the top of the second inning with a leadoff single but failed to capitalize. Left fielder Trevor Larnach struck out, and then first baseman Orlando Arcia grounded into a 6-4-3 double play. The Pirates got to Matthews in the bottom of the second inning. Designated hitter Ryan O'Hearn, just activated off the injured list, hit a 2-2 slider into the right field seats to make it 1-0. Matthews then got third baseman Nick Gonzalez to strike out. But centerfielder O'Neil Cruz walked with one out and advanced to third on a single by left fielder Jake Magnum. Shortstop Jared Triolo then made it 2-0 on an RBI single to right field. Catcher Henry Davis then tried to bunt but popped it in the air for the second out. Horwitz, trying to extend the lead, filed out to center to end the inning. 

Ashcraft, one of the Pirates’ top prospects, was dealing. After giving up a leadoff single to second baseman Luke Keaschall in the top of the third inning, he struck out shortstop Tristan Gray and catcher Alex Jackson. With two outs, Martin grounded out to third. The Pirates added to their lead in the bottom of the third inning. With one out, Reynolds was hit by a pitch. After O'Hearn grounded out to first base, Gonzalez then hit a 1-1 slider 410 feet to centerfield to make it 4-0.  Both teams held each other scoreless in the fourth inning.

The Twins also failed to score in the top of the fifth inning. The Pirates in the bottom of the fifth inning put the game out of reach, scoring five runs to make it 9-0.

Matthews pitched 4.1 innings, allowing 7 runs, while striking out 7 batters. Ashcraft went 6 innings, allowing runs, while striking out 11 batters.

The Twins got on the board in the top of the sixth inning. Brooks Lee hit a 2-run home run to right field, and the score was 9-2.

Lee then hit his second home run of the game, his 8th, in the ninth inning off Pirates reliever Brandan Bidois, but that wasn't enough and they lose 9-3.

The Twins are now (27-33) and have lost 5 straight games.

The Twins return home Monday when the Chicago White Sox come to Target Field.  Scheduled to pitch: Twins Joe Ryan 3-3, 2.94 ERA vs White Sox David Sandlin 1-0, 1.50 ERA. 

First pitch is at 6:40 PM
 

 Minnesota Twins

 1. Austin Martin — RF

 2. Brooks Lee — 3B 

 3. Kody Clemens — CF 

 4. Josh Bell — 1B

 5. Trevor Larnach — LF

 6. Orlando Arcia — SS

 7. Luke Keaschall — 2B

 8. Tristan Gray — SS

 9. Alex Jackson — C

 Pitcher: Zebby Matthews

Pittsburgh Pirates

 1. Spencer Horwitz — 1B

 2. Brandon Lowe — 2B

 3. Bryan Reynolds — RF

 4. Ryan O'Hearn — DH 

 5.Nick Gonzales — 3B

 6.Oneil Cruz — CF

 7. Jake Mangum — LF

 8. Jared Triolo — SS 

9. Henry Davis — C 

 Pitcher: Braxton Ashcraft 

Pittsburgh:

By Troy Geary

Geary Sports & Entertainment Network

Minnesota Twins Starter Bailey Ober is having the best season of his career so far in 2026. Ober, drafted by the Twins in the 12th round in 2017 and making his MLB debut in 2021, has relied on six pitches this season. His changeup has been his best pitch this season, throwing it 36% of the time in 2026, which is the highest in the American League and ranks second in MLB, trailing only Philadelphia's Christopher Sanchez. 

 Ober has won his last three starts and looked to extend that streak in Pittsburgh Saturday afternoon vs. the Pirates. Pittsburgh Starter Mitch Keller, who is a native of Cedar Rapids, Iowa (home of the Twins High-A affiliate), has a 1.50 ERA in three career starts vs. the Twins. Keller's last start on May 24th was also vs. an American League team, the Toronto Blue Jays, in which he went 6 innings, allowing only one run in a 4-1 victory. He looks to continue his success vs. the Twins.

In the top of the first inning, Designated Hitter Byron Buxton led off by striking out. Left Fielder Trevor Larnach, who homered yesterday, grounded out to first base. Then First Baseman Josh Bell struck out, and Keller made quick work of the Twins in the top of the first inning. Ober looked to do the same in the bottom of the first inning. First Baseman Spencer Horwitz led off for the Pirates and hit a 0-1 pitch 410 feet to the right-field seats to give the Pirates a quick 1-0 lead. Second Baseman Brandon Lowe then grounded out to first base. Right Fielder Bryan Reynolds, who hit a walk-off homerun in Game 1 of the series, singled to right. Third Baseman Nick Gonzalez then singled to left field to put runners on first and third with only one out. Centerfielder Oneil Cruz, who homered yesterday, then struck out, as Ober went back to his best pitch, the changeup. Designated Hitter Konnor Griffin then struck out to end the first inning.

Twins Centerfielder Kody Clemens led off the top of the second inning with a double to the gap in left-center. Right Fielder Austin Martin then grounded out to short. Catcher Victor Caratini proceeded to hit an RBI double to left to score Clemens, and the game was tied at 1. Third Baseman Orlando Arcia then grounded out to short. Second Baseman Luke Keaschall then hit a single to left to put runners on first and third for Shortstop Tristan Gray. But Gray struck out, ending the Twins' threat.  Catcher Endy Rodriguez flied out to right field to start the bottom of the second inning for the Pirates. Left Fielder Jake Magnum then put the Pirates back out front with a solo homerun to left-center, his first of the season, to make it 2-1. Shortstop Jared Triolo then grounded out to third. Horwitz hit what looked to be a routine fly to left, but Larnach lost it in the sun and was credited with a single. Lowe then singled to right to put runners on first and second for Reynolds. Ober seemed to be struggling with finding his command, as he walked Reynolds to load the bases for Gonzalez. Gonzalez then hit a 2-run RBI single to right to make it 4-1. Cruz then hit a 3-run homerun to dead center to make it 7-1 Pirates. It was his 13th homerun of the season. Ober got Rodriguez to pop out to third to end the inning, but the damage was done.

The Twins tried to chip away at the deficit in the top of the third inning. Buxton hit an infield single to the hole at short. Larnach then struck out. Bell grounded out to first. With two outs, Clemens stayed hot, hitting an RBI triple, scoring Buxton to make it 7-2. Martin, who leads the team in batting average despite struggling his last 5 games, struck out to strand Clemens at third. Ober tried to keep the Twins in the game, retiring the Pirates in order, and after three innings the score remained 7-2.

Twins' bats woke up in the top of the fourth inning. With one out, Arcia singled. Keaschall followed with a single of his own, his second hit of the game, to put runners on first and second. Gray then hit a 2-run double to the gap in right-center, making the score 7-4. Buxton then drew a walk. Larnach flied out to center. Bell, with two outs, hit a 2-run double down the left-field line to make it 7-6. Clemens then tied the game with an RBI single to right, scoring Bell, and we were all tied up at 7. Martin then hit a sharp line drive to third, but it was snagged by Gonzalez to end the top of the fourth. In the bottom of the fourth inning, things got interesting. Pirate Brandon Lowe tried to challenge a pitch, but home plate umpire Alex Tosi didn't see it. Pirates Manager Don Kelly came out to argue, to no avail. Lowe flied out on the next pitch, but on his way to first was shouting at first-base umpire and crew chief Jordan Baker, who immediately ejected him from the game. Ober got through the fourth inning, retiring the Pirates in order.

The Pirates went to their bullpen in the top of the fifth inning. They brought in Yohan Ramirez. Final line for Mitch Keller: 4 innings pitched, allowing 7 earned runs while striking out 5 batters. The Twins couldn't do anything in the top of the fifth inning. The Pirates retook the lead in the bottom of the fifth inning. Konnor Griffin singled to right, then stole second. Magnum then hit an RBI single to right, scoring Griffin, and the Pirates went ahead 8-7. That was it for Ober. He allowed 8 earned runs in 4.2 innings while striking out three batters. Kody Funderburk came on in relief and got out of the inning. After five innings, the Pirates led 8-7.

Both teams failed to score in the sixth inning, as things seemed to calm down. 

Evan Sisk came into the game for the Pirates in the top of the seventh inning and got the Twins in order. The Pirates added to their lead in the bottom of the seventh inning. Rodriguez led off with a walk, then stole second. Magnum then, bunting, beat it out. The Pirates had runners on first and second with no outs. Triolo then hit an RBI single to shallow right field, scoring Rodriguez and making it 9-7. The Twins then brought in John Klein. Reynolds then hit a sacrifice fly, scoring Magnum and giving the Pirates a 10-7 lead. Klein got Gonzalez to fly out to right to end the inning. 

The Twins again answered in the top of the eighth inning. With one out, Keaschall singled. Ryan Kriedler pinch-hit for Gray and drew a walk. Buxton then singled to right field, loading the bases with one out. Brooks Lee then pinch-hit for Larnach and drew a walk, scoring Keaschall from third and making it 10-8. Bell, looking to give the Twins the lead, hit a slow roller to first, but Kriedler scored, and it was 10-9. With two outs, Clemens grounded out to second and the inning was over. Klein came back out for the Twins in the bottom of the eighth inning and retired the Pirates as the game went to the ninth inning.

The Twins, trying to get at least a run to extend the game, got a one-out walk from Caratini. Arcia then hit a line drive that Left Fielder Jake Magnum chased down on a great play. The Twins' last hope was Keaschall, who was 3-4 prior to the at-bat. But Gregory Soto got him to fly out to right field, giving the Pirates the 10-9 victory.

The winning pitcher for the Pirates was Yohan Ramirez, who is now 3-2. The losing pitcher was Bailey Ober for the Twins, who is now 6-3. Gregory Soto gets his 7th save of the season. 

The Twins look to salvage the series tomorrow when Zebby Mathews (1-2, 2.37 ERA) takes the mound, while the Pirates counter with Braxton Ashcraft (4-2, 2.75 ERA). Gametime is 1:35 p.m. CT. 

 Minnesota Twins 

 1. Byron Buxton — DH

 2. Trevor Larnach — LF

 3. Josh Bell — 1B 

 4. Kody Clemens — CF

 5. Austin Martin — RF 

 6. Victor Caratini — C

 7. Orlando Arcia — 3B

 8. Luke Keaschall — 2B 

 9. Tanner Gray — SS 

 Pitcher: Bailey Ober (RHP)  

Pittsburgh Pirates 

 1. Spencer Horwitz — 1B

 2. Brandon Lowe — 2B

 3. Bryan Reynolds — RF

 4. Nick Gonzales — 3B

 5. Oneil Cruz — CF

 6. Konnor Griffin — DH

 7. Endy Rodríguez — C

 8. Jake Mangum — LF

 9. Jared Triolo — SS 

 Pitcher: Mitch Keller (RHP)

Team News and Notes:

The Twins have designated for assignment or release Pitcher Simeon Woods Richardson. The team has recalled Reliever Jon Klein from AAA St. Paul in correspondence.

Pittsburgh:

By Troy Geary

Geary Sports & Entertainment Network

Minnesota Twins Manager Derek Shelton returned to Pittsburgh on Friday on the other side. Shelton, who managed the Pirates from 2020-2025, still talks fondly of his time in Pittsburgh. While most guys who get fired from a place might be bitter, Shelton isn't. Talking to the media pregame, he reflected on that. He said he was grateful for his time with the Pirates and wants the fans to see a winner. His first stop back in Pittsburgh was to visit the Roberto Clemente Museum, which was arranged by former Pirate and current Twins first baseman Josh Bell.

"Well, number one, I love this ballpark, a lot of good memories here, first opportunity to manage, friendships, people I care about," Shelton said.

The Twins, who lost 2 out of 3 games in Chicago to the White Sox, looked to end their 10-game road trip this weekend before returning home on a winning note. Pittsburgh started one of their top prospects in Jared Jones. Jones, making his season debut with the Pirates after having off-season shoulder surgery, looked to start his year off well. Byron Buxton, who has been dealing with a shoulder issue, remained at the top of the lineup as designated hitter. Twins Manager Derek Shelton told me and the media pregame that Buxton has started to throw in hopes of returning to center field soon.


"He did go through some defensive exercises today, which is encouraging," Shelton told myself and members of the Twins media.


Jones started strong in the top of the first inning by striking out Buxton. Third baseman Brooks Lee then grounded out to shortstop. Center fielder Kody Clemens hit an inside fastball to the right-field seats to make it 1-0 Twins. First baseman Josh Bell then hit a sharp line drive to second base to end the top half of the first inning.


Twins starter Taj Bradley, who started the season 5-1 with a 2.77 ERA before landing on the injured list with a pectoral muscle injury, returned. First baseman Spencer Horwitz lined out to left field. Second baseman Brandon Lowe then walked. Right fielder Bryan Reynolds also walked on four pitches. Twins pitching coach Pete Maki came out to settle down Bradley. But it was an error that opened up the floodgates for the Pirates in the bottom of the first. Third baseman Nick Gonzalez hit a slow chopper to Brooks Lee, who rushed the throw to get Gonzalez, and the throw sailed over Josh Bell, scoring Lowe to make it 1-1. Center fielder Oneil Cruz then hit a grounder to Bell, who made the out himself at first base, but Reynolds scored to make it 2-1. Designated hitter Konnor Griffin, who has been dealing with some forearm stiffness, was back in the lineup and then hit an RBI single back up the middle to make it 3-1 Pirates. Catcher Endy Rodriguez then struck out to end a long inning for Bradley.


The Twins looked to get something going in the top of the second inning. Left fielder Trevor Larnach led off with a single to left. Right fielder Austin Martin then walked. Catcher Victor Caratini then also walked on four pitches to load the bases with no outs for second baseman Luke Keaschall. But Keaschall struck out. Shortstop Tristan Gray then hit a 2-run single to left-center to tie the game 3-3. Buxton, looking to give the Twins the lead, hit into an inning-ending 5-4-3 double play, and the score remained tied 3-3. Bradley got two quick outs to start the bottom of the second inning. Horwitz then singled to center with two outs before Lowe struck out to end the inning.


Jones started to look more comfortable for the Pirates in the top of the third, getting two quick outs. But Bell singled to right. Larnach then stepped up to the plate and hit the first pitch 425 feet to the right-field seats to give the Twins a 5-3 lead. It was his third home run of the season. Martin then grounded out to short to end the top half of the third inning for the Twins. The Pirates tried to get back in the game in the bottom of the third. Reynolds grounded out to first. Gonzalez then grounded out to short. With two outs, Oneil Cruz, on a 3-1 count, hit a 450-foot home run into the Allegheny River to cut the Twins' lead to 5-4. It was the 12th home run of the season for Cruz. Griffin then hit a single to right, his second of the night, then stole second. Bradley then struck out Rodriguez to end the third inning.


Jones, in the top of the fourth, had his best inning, only allowing a leadoff single to Caratini before retiring the Twins, getting two strikeouts to end the top of the fourth inning. Bradley put together his best inning in the bottom of the fourth, striking out Garcia and Triolo, then getting Horwitz to fly out to center.


Pirates starter Jared Jones finished his night going 4.1 innings, allowing five runs while striking out six batters. Twins starter Taj Bradley went 4 innings, allowing four runs while striking out six batters as well.


Both teams went to their bullpens in the fifth inning. Evan Sisk came into the game for the Pirates, striking out two batters in his inning of work. The Twins then went with Eric Orze. He pitched 1.2 innings, allowing just one hit and giving up no runs.


The game remained 5-4 throughout the sixth, seventh, and eighth innings, as the Twins bullpen did their job with the likes of Yoendrys Gomez and Anthony Banda, keeping the Pirates off the board. The Pirates bullpen matched the Twins, with three scoreless innings from Wilber Dotel and a scoreless inning from Gregory Soto.


The Twins brought Taylor Rogers in for the bottom of the ninth to try to save the game. After a leadoff single by Horwitz, he got Lowe on a strikeout. With one out, Bryan Reynolds made the home crowd happy with a 2-run walk-off home run, and the Pirates defeated the Twins 6-5.


Gregory Soto for the Pirates got the win to improve to 4-0 on the season, while Taylor Rogers took the loss and is now 1-2.


The Twins (27-31) look to snap a 3-game losing streak Saturday, as Bailey Ober (6-2, 3.92 ERA) goes for the Twins, while the Pirates (30-28) go with Mitch Keller (5-2, 3.64 ERA). Game time is 3:05 PM CT.

 Minnesota Twins

 1. Byron Buxton DH

 2. Brooks Lee 3B 

 3. Kody Clemens CF

 4. Josh Bell 1B

 5. Trevor Larnach LF 

 6. Austin Martin RF

 7. Victor Caratini C 

 8. Luke Keaschall 2B

 9. Tanner Gray SS

 *Pitcher:* Taj Bradley 

 *Pittsburgh Pirates*

 1. Spencer Horwitz 1B 

 2. Brandon Lowe 2B 

 3. Bryan Reynolds RF 

 4. Nick Gonzales 3B 

 5. Oneil Cruz CF

 6. Konnor Griffin DH 

 7. Endy Rodríguez C 

 8. Jhostynxon Garcia  LF

 9. Jared Triolo SS

 *Pitcher:* Jared Jones (2026 debut)

Twins have recalled LHP Kody Funderburk and RHP Cody Laweryson. The placed LHP Kendry Rojas on the IL, and optioned RHP Travis Adams to AAA St. Paul.