The Minnesota Twins currently hold a 41-46 record following a road loss on Tuesday night. A three-run early lead evaporated in Houston as a grand slam doomed the Twins to a 6-4 defeat.
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MLB Game Recap
The Minnesota Twins built a 3-0 lead in the first inning. Victor Caratini was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded. Ryan Kreidler followed with a two-run single. The team lost the advantage in the fourth inning. Yordan Alvarez hit a go-ahead grand slam off Joe Ryan. Ryan surrendered six earned runs in just four innings of work. Josh Bell provided a late spark with an RBI double in the fifth inning. The Houston bullpen then held the Twins hitless over the final four innings. They sealed the result.
Standout Performer
Designated hitter Josh Bell went 1-for-4 with an RBI double and a run scored. Bell’s double to center field in the fifth inning drove in Kevin Clemens. It represented the team’s only extra-base hit of the night. This provided a brief moment of momentum in a difficult loss.
Key News & Notes
Starting pitcher Mick Abel will undergo arthroscopic elbow surgery. This is scheduled for July 1 or 2. He suffered a setback in his recovery. Center fielder Byron Buxton is day-to-day with a right hip impingement. He is unlikely to return before the upcoming weekend series in New York. Reliever Anthony Banda is on the 15-day injured list due to a left lat strain. He is expected to miss significant time and may not return until at least September.
Farm Report
- AAA St. Paul Saints: Walker Jenkins (3-for-5, 3B, 2B, RBI, 3 R, SB) contributed to a 12-6 victory over the Buffalo Bisons. The Saints tied a franchise record with 17 victories in June.
- AA Wichita Wind Surge: Walker Amick went 2-for-4, hitting 2 doubles and driving in 3 runs. He scored 2 runs and took a walk in an 11-8 extra-inning loss to the Tulsa Drillers. The Wind Surge surrendered three runs in the top of the 10th inning.
- High-A Cedar Rapids Kernels: Isaac Winokur went 2-for-4 with a HR, RBI, and R. The team suffered an 8-3 loss to the Quad Cities River Bandits. The Cedar Rapids pitching staff allowed eight earned runs and six walks.
- Low-A Fort Myers Mighty Mussels: Irvin Nunez went 2-for-4 and hit a home run. He contributed 2 RBI and scored 2 runs in a 5-4 win over the Clearwater Threshers. Nunez hit a tie-breaking two-run home run in the eighth inning. This secured the series-opening victory.
- FCL Twins: Cesar Hernandez (4.0 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 5 K, Win) in a 2-1 win over the FCL Pirates; the Twins won despite recording only one hit as a team.
Looking Ahead
The Twins wrap up their series in Houston on Wednesday night. Taj Bradley (6-3, 3.98 ERA) will take the mound for Minnesota against Astros starter Tatsuya Imai (5-3, 5.36 ERA).
With the injury list growing and the record slipping below .500, the Twins’ rotation needs a healthy Bailey Ober back immediately to stay in the AL Central race.
