Twins fall to Pirates 2-1 on July 13, 2025, as Jhoan Duran blows a late lead. Despite hits from Buxton & Correa, Minnesota stumbles into the All-Star break.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
The Minnesota Twins were hoping to ride a wave of momentum into the All-Star break, but the Pittsburgh Pirates had other plans. In a frustrating 2-1 defeat on Sunday, the Twins saw a late-game lead evaporate, ending a strong nine-game homestand on a sour note. Now, as the bats and gloves are put away for a few days, the team is left to ponder a 6-3 stretch that felt like it should have been even better, all while remaining just shy of the .500 mark.
The Twins finished their nine-game homestand with a 6-3 record, a solid showing despite the final day's disappointment.
The series finale against the Pirates was a classic pitcher's duel that ultimately came down to the bullpens. Starter Simeon Woods Richardson was sharp, allowing just one earned run over 4 2/3 innings. The offense, while not explosive, did just enough to stay in it, with Byron Buxton, Carlos Correa, and Harrison Bader each collecting two hits. But in the top of the ninth, closer Jhoan Duran couldn't lock it down, surrendering the go-ahead run on an RBI groundout by Spencer Horwitz. It was a tough pill to swallow against a Pirates team that snapped an eight-game losing streak at Minnesota's expense.
While the big league club rests, there was a significant development down on the farm that should have fans excited. Promising right-handed pitcher Zebby Matthews officially began a rehab assignment with the Triple-A St. Paul Saints on Sunday. Matthews, who has been sidelined with an injury, is a critical piece of the organization's pitching depth. A successful rehab stint could see him rejoining the Twins shortly after the break, providing a major boost to a rotation and bullpen that will need all hands on deck for the second-half playoff push.
Despite the sting of Sunday's loss, it's important to zoom out. A 6-3 record on a long homestand is a success by any measure. The All-Star break comes at a perfect time, offering a chance for banged-up players to heal and the entire roster to mentally reset. The team is still very much in the thick of things, and with key players getting healthy, the foundation is there for a strong run. The quiet on the transaction front on Monday suggests the front office is taking stock before the trade deadline heats up.
The silence of a Monday without baseball is a good time for reflection. The first half had its peaks and valleys, and Sunday's finale was a microcosm of that. Now, all eyes turn to Friday, July 18, when the Twins kick off the second half in Colorado against the Rockies. The mission is clear: come out of the break firing, integrate returning players like Matthews, and make a definitive push for October.
