Phillies Rally From Five-Run Deficit to Sweep Twins 7-5

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By Troy Geary

Geary Sports & Entertainment Network 

The Disability Channel 

MINNEAPOLIS:

The Philadelphia Phillies showed once again why they are one of the best teams in baseball.

After falling behind 5-0 early, the Phillies scored seven unanswered runs to rally past the Minnesota Twins 7-5 Sunday afternoon at Target Field, completing a three-game sweep of Minnesota.

The Twins came out swinging and appeared to be in control early.

Brooks Lee gave Minnesota a 4-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning with a grand slam, his 18th home run of the season and the second grand slam of his career. Kody Clemens added to the lead in the third inning with a solo home run, putting the Twins ahead 5-0.

But Philadelphia would not go away.

The Phillies finally broke through in the sixth inning.

Luis Arraez brought home a run with an RBI groundout before Alec Bohm delivered the biggest blow of the inning. Bohm crushed a three-run home run 408 feet to left field, cutting Minnesota's lead to 5-4.

Bohm finished the game 2-for-4 with a home run and four RBIs, continuing what has been a strong stretch for the Phillies.

Philadelphia completed the comeback in the eighth.

Bohm started the rally with a bloop single down the right-field line. An error on the play allowed Bryce Harper to score, tying the game at 5-5.

Three batters later, Bryan De La Cruz came through with two outs.

De La Cruz lined a two-run single down the first-base line, scoring Bohm and Derek Hill and giving Philadelphia its first lead of the afternoon at 7-5.

The Phillies bullpen then took over.

Orion Kerkering earned the victory after throwing a scoreless eighth inning, while former Twins closer Jhoan Duran closed the door in the ninth for his 26th save. Duran struck out Ryan Jeffers and Byron Buxton to finish off the comeback and the sweep.

For Minnesota, the loss was another difficult one during a month that continues to get away from them.

The Twins had a 5-0 lead and were just nine outs away from avoiding the sweep, but Philadelphia's offense and bullpen completely changed the game late.

Lee's grand slam highlighted a strong start offensively for Minnesota, while Clemens finished 2-for-4 with his solo home run. The Twins finished with seven hits but could not protect the early advantage.

The Phillies leave Minnesota having won all three games of the series, including a 7-1 victory over the Twins in Thursday's Field of Dreams game in Dyersville, Iowa, followed by Saturday's 9-1 win at Target Field.

For the Twins, the series was another reminder that getting off to a good start is not enough. Minnesota built a five-run advantage Sunday but could not finish the job against one of the National League's strongest teams.

The Phillies, meanwhile, showed championship-caliber resilience, turning a 5-0 deficit into a 7-5 victory and completing the sweep.

By Troy Geary

Geary Sports & Entertainment Network

The Disability Channel

Minneapolis:

The Philadelphia Phillies continued their dominance over the Minnesota Twins on Saturday night, cruising to a 9-1 victory at Target Field and taking a commanding 2-0 lead in the season series.  After beating the Twins 7-1 in Thursday's Field of Dreams Game in Dyersville, Iowa, the Phillies brought their offense to Minneapolis and again put together a big offensive night.  Philadelphia finished with 13 hits and scored seven runs in the fifth inning, turning what had been a close game into a rout.

Alec Bohm was the offensive star, going 5-for-5 with two runs scored, five hits and an RBI. Bohm was able to consistently find holes in the Twins defense and kept the Phillies' offense moving throughout the night.  Bryson Stott also came through with a big night, going 1-for-3 with a run scored, three RBI and two walks. Edmundo Sosa added a hit, a run and two RBI, while J.T. Realmuto finished 1-for-3 with a run and two RBI.  Trea Turner scored a run and collected a hit, while Bryce Harper went 2-for-4 with a run scored.  The Phillies scored once in the second inning before breaking the game open in the fifth. 

Minnesota starter Connor Prielipp kept the Twins within striking distance early, but the fifth inning became the turning point. Prielipp finished with five innings, allowing eight hits and eight runs, all earned, while walking four and striking out six.  For the Twins, the loss drops them to 60-64 and puts even more pressure on Sunday's series finale.  Minnesota did manage nine hits, but once again struggled to turn those hits into runs. The Twins went 1-for-14 with runners in scoring position and left 11 runners on base.  Royce Lewis drove in Minnesota's lone run, while Kaelen Culpepper went 2-for-4. Luke Keaschall also had two hits, and Ryan Jeffers finished 1-for-4 with a run scored. 

The Twins had opportunities throughout the night, but Philadelphia consistently found a way to shut down rallies before Minnesota could put together a big inning.  Phillies starter Jesús Luzardo gave Philadelphia exactly what it needed. Luzardo worked six innings, allowing seven hits and one earned run while walking three and striking out six.  The Phillies bullpen then closed out the final three innings without allowing a run.

For Minnesota, the problem wasn't necessarily a lack of opportunities. It was the inability to deliver the big hit when those opportunities presented themselves.  That has become an important storyline for the Twins as they continue trying to stay in the American League Wild Card race.  The Phillies, meanwhile, have now scored 16 runs in two games against Minnesota while allowing only two.

The Twins will look to avoid a sweep Sunday afternoon when they face Philadelphia in the series finale at Target Field.  Minnesota needs a different result, and quickly with the Wild Card race tightening and every game becoming increasingly important down the stretch.

By Troy Geary

Geary Sports & Entertainment Network

The Disability Channel

MINNEAPOLIS:

The Minnesota Twins continued their push Wednesday, defeating the Baltimore Orioles 7-5 behind a strong offensive performance and 14 hits. Minnesota wasted little time getting on the scoreboard and continued to put pressure on Baltimore pitching throughout the game.

The Twins broke the game open with a four-run inning, turning an early game into a 5-1 advantage. Minnesota added two more runs later in the game to build a 7-4 lead.

Alan Roden was one of the biggest offensive contributors for Minnesota, putting together a three-hit performance. Roden consistently kept the lineup moving and helped set the tone for the Twins' offense. Josh Bell also delivered a strong performance at the plate, while Royce Lewis and Brooks Lee each contributed multiple hits. Victor Caratini added to the offensive attack with two hits and helped Minnesota take advantage of its opportunities throughout the game.

The Twins received production from up and down the lineup, finishing with 14 hits. Baltimore fought back with a three-run home run during Minnesota's four-run inning, keeping the Orioles within striking distance. The Orioles added another run late, but the Twins' pitching staff was able to protect the lead.

Zebby Matthews earned the victory for Minnesota, improving to 6-8 on the season. Matthews battled through the Orioles lineup and gave the Twins enough to allow the offense to build its lead. Yoendrys Gómez came on to close out the game and recorded his 17th save of the season. The Orioles finished with seven hits, but Minnesota's ability to consistently put runners on base and deliver offensively proved to be the difference.

The Twins' 14-hit attack featured contributions throughout the lineup, with Roden leading the way and Bell, Lewis, Lee and Caratini providing key production. Minnesota continues to battle for a postseason spot, and Wednesday's victory was another important step as the season moves into its final stretch.

Up Next: The Twins travel to play Philadelphia in the Field of Dreams Game in Dyersville, Iowa Thursday Night. Taj Bradley 9-4, 3.76 ERA goes up against Phillies RHP Aaron Nola 3-9, 5.47 ERA. Gametime is 6:30 pm Central and will be televised on Netflix.

By Troy Geary

The Disability Channel

Geary Sports & Entertainment Network

MINNEAPOLIS:

The Minnesota Twins needed another starting pitcher at the trade deadline, and they made the move to acquire right-hander Dean Kremer from the Baltimore Orioles. On Monday night, Kremer got the opportunity to face his former team for the first time. And he delivered exactly what the Twins were hoping for when they made the deal.

Kremer turned in his best start since joining Minnesota, tossing 7.0 innings while allowing just one run on one hit, with one walk and seven strikeouts, as the Twins defeated the Orioles 9-5 at Target Field. The victory moved Kremer to 2-4 on the season and lowered his ERA to 5.25.

For Kremer, it was more than just another start. It was a chance to show his former team, and his new team, that a fresh start could be exactly what he needed. Orioles Manager Craig Albernaz described the situation as bittersweet before the game. “Facing Dean is bittersweet, we wished things turned out differently,” Albernaz told me pregame. Albernaz also talked about how well-liked Kremer was inside the Baltimore clubhouse, describing him as a great teammate.

Kremer entered Monday's game at 1-4 with a 5.93 ERA, looking for a reset after struggling with Baltimore. The Twins believed mechanical adjustments and a change of scenery could help get the right-hander back on track. His first start with Minnesota offered some encouragement. On August 5th in Kansas City, Kremer pitched five innings, allowing one run on three hits while walking two and striking out two in a no-decision as the Twins lost 2-1. Monday night was an entirely different story.

Kremer kept Baltimore's offense off balance from the beginning and allowed the Twins' offense to build a lead before handing the ball over to the bullpen to start the eighth inning.  It was the type of performance Minnesota desperately needed from its newest rotation piece.

The Twins' offense got on the board first in the bottom of the third inning. Austin Martin jumped on a Trevor Rogers pitch and sent it over the left-field wall for a solo home run, giving Minnesota a 1-0 lead. It was Martin's third home run of the season. But Martin wasn't finished.

He went 4-for-5 with a home run, two doubles and three runs scored, giving him four hits in the game. His four-hit performance was the first major offensive statement of the night and helped set the tone for Minnesota's 14-hit attack. The Twins added another run in the fourth when Kaelen Culpepper brought home a run with a sacrifice fly.

Baltimore answered with a run in the fourth, but Minnesota continued to apply pressure. Then came the seventh inning. And that's when the game broke open.

The Twins erupted for five runs in the seventh inning, turning a 2-1 game into a 7-1 advantage. Ryan Jeffers delivered a two-run single before Josh Bell stepped to the plate. Bell launched a three-run home run off Baltimore reliever Gage Wolfram, his 16th homer of the season, putting the Twins firmly in control.  Bell finished 2-for-5 with a home run and three RBI, while Jeffers went 2-for-4 with three RBI.

The Twins weren't done. In the eighth, Jeffers doubled home another run, followed by Royce Lewis driving in another with a single. Minnesota scored twice in the eighth to push the lead to 9-3. Baltimore would make things interesting in the ninth, scoring twice and loading the bases against the Twins bullpen, but Minnesota ultimately closed out the 9-5 victory.

The Orioles finished with six hits compared to Minnesota's 14. The Twins had contributions throughout the lineup. Martin led the way with four hits. Jeffers added two hits and three RBI.

Bell had two hits and three RBI, including the three-run homer. Royce Lewis went 2-for-4 with a run and an RBI, while Brooks Lee also collected two hits. The Twins' lineup combined for 14 hits and nine runs, with Minnesota also getting extra-base hits from Martin, Lee, Jeffers and Bell.

For a team fighting for its playoff life, the offensive balance was encouraging. Minnesota didn't have to rely on one big swing. It got contributions up and down the lineup. The Twins entered the series at 58-61, while Baltimore came in at 57-61, putting both teams squarely in the middle of the American League Wild Card race.

That made Monday's game much more than just another game in August. These are the types of games Minnesota has to win if it wants to remain in the playoff conversation. And Monday checked nearly every box. The starting pitcher delivered. The offense produced. The Twins scored early, added on late and never allowed Baltimore to truly get back into the game until the ninth. Most importantly, Minnesota now has a pitcher who can potentially give the rotation some stability. Kremer's performance against the team that traded him away couldn't have come at a better time. He didn't just beat the Orioles. He showed the Twins why they believed he was worth taking a chance on at the trade deadline. For Kremer, it was a fresh start.

For the Twins, it could be the beginning of something much bigger. Minnesota improves to 59-61 with the 9-5 victory, while Baltimore falls to 57-62.  And with the Wild Card race tightening by the day, every win matters. Especially wins like this one.