Brewers Edge Twins 4-3, Even Series in Milwaukee

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By Troy Geary

The Disability Channel

Geary Sports & Entertainment Network

MILWAUKEE:

The Minnesota Twins came into Milwaukee looking to build some momentum against the best team in baseball.  After taking the opening game of the series 8-6 Friday night, the Twins had an opportunity to put together a winning streak and continue putting pressure on the White Sox and Guardians in the American League Central.  Instead, the Milwaukee Brewers answered back Saturday night.

The Brewers held off the Twins 4-3 to even the series at one game apiece.  Minnesota now sits at 58-60 as the Twins continue their push toward the postseason.  The Twins couldn't quite duplicate Friday's offensive performance, when Josh Bell led the way with four hits, three RBI and a two-run home run.  Bell continued to swing the bat well Saturday, collecting another hit, while Royce Lewis went 2-for-4 with a double and two RBI.  Ryan Jeffers also drove in a run for Minnesota.  The Twins jumped out to an early lead, but Milwaukee continued to battle and eventually took control of the game.  Minnesota had opportunities late but couldn't come up with the big hit needed to tie the game.

Taj Bradley got the start for Minnesota and once again showed why he has quietly become one of the most dependable pitchers in the Twins' rotation.  Bradley allowed three earned runs on five hits over five innings. He walked two and struck out seven while throwing 97 pitches, including 62 strikes.  The outing moved Bradley's ERA to 3.76.  Bradley entered the game with a 9-4 record, 3.69 ERA and a team-leading 141 strikeouts. His nine victories also lead the Twins, while his ERA ranked second on the team entering Saturday.  The 25-year-old right-hander was acquired from Tampa Bay at last season's trade deadline in exchange for reliever Griffin Jax.  At the time, the move wasn't particularly popular with Twins fans or some in the local media.  Now, it is becoming increasingly clear that the trade has worked out for both organizations.  Bradley has established himself as an important part of Minnesota's rotation and could be a mainstay for the Twins for years to come.  He may not be the most outspoken player in the clubhouse, but his performance on the mound continues to speak for itself.

Milwaukee entered the series with the best record in Major League Baseball and showed Saturday why it has been so difficult for opponents to keep down.  The Brewers didn't let Minnesota's early lead stand.  They continued to put pressure on the Twins pitching staff, eventually taking the lead and holding off Minnesota's late attempts to rally.  The Twins' bullpen kept the game within reach, giving the offense an opportunity to find the tying run.  But Minnesota couldn't capitalize.  Against a team like Milwaukee, those missed opportunities can be the difference between walking away with a victory or a frustrating loss. Saturday was the latter.

The Twins have now split the first two games of their series against Milwaukee, but the importance of every remaining game continues to grow.  Minnesota has 44 games left before the end of the regular season, and there is little room for wasted opportunities.  The Twins are battling the White Sox and Guardians in the American League Central while also trying to stay within striking distance of a Wild Card berth.

Injuries have tested this team, including the loss of All-Star Joe Ryan, but Minnesota continues to find ways to compete.  Now, they need to find a way to string wins together.  Friday night's victory showed what this team is capable of when the offense is clicking. 

Saturday's 4-3 loss showed just how thin the margin for error can be against a Milwaukee team that entered the series with the best record in baseball.  The Twins couldn't finish the job Saturday.  But they still have a chance to win the series Sunday.

At this point of the season, it's not about how the Twins started the year or what happened a month ago.  It's about what happens now.  Every pitch matters.  Every at-bat matters.  Every game matters.  And for the Twins, the race for October is officially a sprint. 

By Troy Geary

The Disability Channel

Geary Sports & Entertainment Network

MILWAUKEE:

A key piece of the Minnesota Twins' future arrived in Milwaukee Friday night. And he wasted little time showing why the organization believes he can be part of that future for a long time. Kaelen Culpepper, the Twins' first-round draft pick in 2024, was called up from Triple-A St. Paul Friday before the team opened a three-game series with the Milwaukee Brewers.

By the end of the night, Culpepper had already given Twins fans something to remember.
In his Major League debut, Culpepper hit his first career home run as Minnesota defeated the Brewers 8-6 at American Family Field.

The Twins improved to 58-59 with the victory, while Milwaukee dropped to 72-44.
It was a big win for a Minnesota team trying to stay in the American League Wild Card race.
And against the team with the best record in baseball, the Twins found a way to get it done.

Culpepper’s rise through the minors moved quickly, and Friday night was the next step in what the Twins hope will be a long Major League career. The 2024 first-round pick finished his MLB debut 1-for-4 with a home run and an RBI. His first Major League homer came in the fourth inning, giving Minnesota a spark in a back-and-forth game. For Culpepper, it was a moment he won’t forget.

The Twins are looking for young players who can contribute now while shaping the future.
Culpepper gave them plenty to build on in his first game. There will be adjustments ahead, but a debut homer is a strong start.

While Culpepper provided the future, Josh Bell supplied the veteran punch Minnesota needed.
Bell went 4-for-5 with three RBI and a home run. His two-run shot helped jump-start the offense, and he kept delivering key at-bats all night.

The Twins finished with 13 hits, with Bell in the middle of much of it. When Minnesota needed a big hit, Bell came through.

Milwaukee wasn’t going to make it easy. The Brewers entered at 72-43, with the best record in baseball and postseason ambitions in full swing. They kept answering Minnesota’s offense, and the game stayed tight through the middle innings. Milwaukee eventually tied it at 6-6, putting pressure back on the Twins.

But Minnesota responded again. And this time, they didn’t give the lead back. Royce Lewis delivered a key RBI to put the Twins back in front. Minnesota then added another run to make it 8-6. That cushion proved crucial as Milwaukee tried to rally late. The bullpen held firm, with Yoendrys Gómez recording the final three outs for his 14th save.

Zebby Matthews had a tough assignment. With Joe Ryan placed on the 10-day IL before the game, Matthews was recalled to face one of baseball’s best teams. Entering at 4-8 with a 5.22 ERA, he showed flashes of strong stuff but has battled consistency. Friday wasn’t perfect, but it was enough. He went five innings, allowing six runs (three earned) on seven hits, with four strikeouts and two walks before leaving with a right foot blister. Injury is considered minor and shouldn't miss any time. Backed by the offense, Matthews earned the win and improved to 5-8.

The Twins have been hit hard by injuries all season. Joe Ryan is the latest major name to land on the IL, forcing another rotation shuffle. It’s been a recurring theme: one player goes down, another steps up. Despite it all, the Twins remain in the Wild Card mix.

Friday was another example.

If the Twins keep getting nights like Josh Bell’s, September could get interesting. For now, they’ll take the win. But there’s still a long way to go in a very alive Wild Card race.

By Troy Geary

Geary Sports & Entertainment Network

MINNEAPOLIS :

Former Minnesota Twins pitcher Randy Dobnak returned to Target Field and spoiled Minnesota's chance at clinching the series Wednesday night, tossing seven shutout innings to lead the Kansas City Royals to a 4-0 victory.

Dobnak earned his first Major League win in five years, allowing just four hits while striking out five and walking one over seven dominant innings. The victory improved the right-hander to 1-0 on the season and lowered his ERA to 1.04. Daniel Lynch IV pitched a scoreless eighth inning before Steven Cruz worked the ninth to complete the Royals' shutout.

The Twins (54-55) managed just five hits and were shut out for the sixth time this season. Minnesota went 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position and stranded seven runners while dropping back below the .500 mark.

Kansas City broke through in the top of the third inning when Tyler Tolbert launched a solo home run to left-center field, giving the Royals an early 1-0 lead.

The Royals doubled their advantage an inning later as Nick Loftin drove home Salvador Perez with a sacrifice fly to center field.

Kansas City added to its lead in the fifth when Carter Jensen lined an RBI double down the left field line, scoring Tolbert to make it 3-0. Jac Caglianone capped the scoring in the seventh with an RBI single, snapping an 0-for-22 slump and extending the Royals' lead to 4-0.

Twins starter Joe Ryan pitched better than the final score indicated but was charged with the loss. Ryan worked six innings, allowing four runs on 10 hits while striking out seven and walking one. He threw 103 pitches, including 71 for strikes, and fell to 6-7 on the season.

Kansas City finished with 12 hits. Tolbert went 2-for-4 with a home run, two runs scored and an RBI. Salvador Perez finished 2-for-4 with a triple and a run scored, while Loftin added two hits and an RBI. Jensen also drove in a run as the Royals improved to 46-63.

The Twins were unable to generate much offense against Dobnak. Royce Lewis, Ryan Jeffers, Brooks Lee, Kody Clemens and Austin Martin each collected a hit, but Minnesota never mounted a serious threat after the middle innings.

The loss snapped the Twins' three-game winning streak and evened the three-game series at one game apiece.

The Twins and Royals will wrap up their three-game series Thursday afternoon at Target Field. Bailey Ober is scheduled to start for Minnesota against Royals left-hander Noah Cameron. First pitch is scheduled for 12:40 p.m. CT as the Twins look to win the series before beginning their next road trip Friday in Seattle.

By Troy Geary

Geary Sports & Entertainment Network

MINNEAPOLIS:

The Minnesota Twins found a way to win Tuesday night.

Despite a frustrating night offensively, the Twins battled until the final out and received a game-winning moment from Royce Lewis, who delivered a walk-off two-run triple off the wall in the bottom of the ninth inning to give Minnesota a dramatic 3-2 victory over the Kansas City Royals at Target Field.

Trailing 2-1 entering the ninth inning, the Twins needed one more rally. Minnesota put runners on base and gave Lewis an opportunity to be the hero. The former first-round pick delivered, driving a ball deep into the outfield that bounced off the wall and brought home both runners, sending the Target Field crowd into celebration.

The walk-off hit capped a night where Minnesota had to battle through offensive struggles. The Twins were held in check for much of the game and hit into five double plays, ending multiple scoring opportunities and keeping the Royals within reach.

But Minnesota's pitching staff kept the game close and gave the offense a chance to win.

Taj Bradley delivered another strong outing for the Twins, keeping Kansas City's lineup off balance and limiting the damage throughout his start. Bradley attacked hitters with confidence, mixed his pitches effectively, and continued to provide stability for Minnesota's rotation.

After Bradley exited, the Twins bullpen continued its recent stretch of strong performances, shutting down the Royals and keeping the game within one run heading into the final inning.

Rookie right-hander Jack Anderson earned a memorable milestone, picking up the first Major League victory of his career. Anderson helped preserve the game and was rewarded after Lewis delivered the walk-off heroics.

For Lewis, the moment added another highlight to a season where the Twins have relied on his ability to change a game with one swing. His two-run triple turned a one-run deficit into a dramatic victory and gave Minnesota another important win during its push toward the postseason.

The victory improved the Twins to 54-54 on the season and gave Minnesota an important opening win in its three-game series against the Royals.

The Twins will look to continue the momentum Wednesday night at Target Field when they send Joe Ryan 6-6, 3.38 ERA to the mound as the probable starter. The Royals will counter with former Twin Randy Dobnak, 0-0, 1.42 ERA.

Ryan will look to provide another strong performance for a Twins rotation that has kept the team competitive, while Dobnak will try to slow down his former team and help Kansas City even the series.

With the American League Wild Card race tightening, every game becomes more important. Tuesday night was another example of the Twins finding different ways to win — strong pitching, late-game execution, and a star player delivering when the moment mattered most.