The Minnesota Twins currently hold a 42-46 record and sit in third place in the American League Central. Over the last 24 hours, the team secured a series victory in Houston. They also had a multi-homer offensive effort.
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MLB Game Recap
The Minnesota Twins defeated the Houston Astros 8-3 on Wednesday night to clinch their third consecutive road series victory. Taj Bradley started the game after the team fell behind 1-0 in the first inning. He dominated by recording 10 consecutive outs via strikeout. This performance set a new franchise record. The Twins’ offense powered the comeback. Josh Bell hit a two-run homer in the first. Kody Clemens followed with a three-run blast in the second. Luke Keaschall hit a solo shot in the eighth to put the game out of reach.
Standout Performer
Taj Bradley earned the win with a historic performance, throwing 5.0 innings and allowing only one run on four hits. He tied his career high with 11 strikeouts. His streak of 10 consecutive strikeouts set a new Twins record. This record had been held since at least 1961. Despite walking three batters and requiring 97 pitches to get through five frames, Bradley’s high-velocity arsenal overwhelmed the Astros’ lineup.
Key News & Notes
Right-hander Mick Abel underwent successful arthroscopic surgery on his right elbow on Wednesday. The club is encouraged by the initial results. Shortstop Kaelen Culpepper was officially selected to represent the Twins at the MLB All-Star Futures Game. This marks his second consecutive year being selected. Additionally, catcher Ryan Jeffers reached a new milestone in his rehab from a hamate bone fracture. He successfully faced high velocity and curveballs during a hitting session on July 1st.
Farm Report
- AAA – St. Paul Saints: Cody Morissette went 2-for-3 with two solo home runs in a 3-2 loss to the Buffalo Bisons. Morissette’s pair of blasts provided all the Saints’ scoring, briefly tying the game in the seventh inning.
- AA – Wichita Wind Surge: Andrew Cossetti finished 2-for-4. He hit his 10th home run of the season and a double in a 10-3 loss to the Tulsa Drillers. Cossetti’s solo home run in the fourth inning was one of only seven hits for the Wind Surge.
- High-A – Cedar Rapids Kernels: Graham Brown went 1-for-2 with a home run. He also had two walks and two RBI in a 9-7 win over the Quad Cities River Bandits. Brown’s two-run homer in the seventh inning helped trigger a late rally to secure the victory.
- Single-A – Fort Myers Mighty Mussels: Quentin Young reached base three times. He went 1-for-2 with his 10th home run and two walks. This occurred during a 6-1 loss to the Clearwater Threshers. Young hit a leadoff homer in the fourth inning. Their five-game winning streak ended with the defeat.
Deep Dive: Rising Stars in St. Paul
St. Paul Saints shortstop Kaelen Culpepper continues to solidify his status as a premier prospect. He earned his second straight selection to the MLB All-Star Futures Game. Culpepper, the organization’s No. 2 prospect, is currently slashing .272/.376/.492 with 14 home runs and 15 stolen bases through 63 games in Triple-A. He is tied for the lead in professional baseball with six home runs to lead off a game this season. He ranks sixth in the International League in runs scored. Tristan Gray is struggling defensively and at the plate. Culpepper is widely viewed as a candidate for a big-league promotion shortly after the All-Star break.
Top prospect Walker Jenkins joins Culpepper in the spotlight. He has been productive since returning from the injured list on June 23rd. Jenkins showcased his elite hitting tools on Tuesday. He finished just a home run shy of the cycle. He followed that with another hit in Wednesday’s contest. In 31 games with the Saints this season, the 21-year-old outfielder has maintained an .820 OPS while showing advanced plate discipline with 20 walks against 21 strikeouts. Organizational confidence in Jenkins remains high. Scouts suggest his performance in the second half could force a Major League debut. This could happen before the 2026 season concludes.
Looking Ahead
The Minnesota Twins are off on Thursday. They will travel to New York. They will open a three-game series against the Yankees on Friday.
