The Twins lost 6-2 to the Blue Jays on June 8, but the real story was Byron Buxton's injury. Get the full recap on the game, Vladdy's homer, and Buxton's IL stint.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
Sunday at Target Field was one of those days that tests a team's resilience. Not only did the Twins drop their third straight game, a 6-2 decision to the Toronto Blue Jays to lose the series, but they also received the news every fan dreads before the first pitch was even thrown: Byron Buxton is heading back to the injured list.
We have to execute better in all phases. The effort is there, but we need to clean up some mistakes and get back to playing our brand of baseball.
The game itself offered little relief from the pregame news. Starter Joe Ryan was tagged for five runs over 5.1 innings, unable to contain a potent Blue Jays lineup. The big blow came on a three-run homer from Vladimir Guerrero Jr. in the third inning that put the game out of reach. The Twins' offense, meanwhile, was mostly quiet, mustering just two runs on a solo home run by Royce Lewis and an RBI double from Carlos Correa. The 6-2 loss drops the Twins to 34-30 on the season, putting them three games behind in the AL Central race.
The biggest story of the day unfortunately happened off the field. The Twins placed center fielder Byron Buxton on the 10-day injured list with a left hamstring strain suffered in Saturday's contest. It's another frustrating setback for the dynamic All-Star, whose absence will be felt both in the lineup and in the outfield. The team will now have to navigate a crucial stretch of the season without one of its most impactful players.
Despite the team's struggles, Royce Lewis continues to be a phenomenal bright spot. He launched his 12th home run of the season Sunday, extending his hitting streak to eight games. 'Royce has been a spark for us all season,' manager Rocco Baldelli said postgame. 'He’s seeing the ball really well right now.' And in Buxton's absence, a new face made an immediate impression. Austin Martin, recalled from Triple-A St. Paul, started in center field and went 1-for-4 with a single and a stolen base in his 2025 debut, showing a glimpse of the energy he can bring.
While the big league club struggles for consistency, top prospect Brooks Lee is making a compelling case for a promotion. Playing for the St. Paul Saints, Lee went 2-for-4 with his 10th home run and three RBI on Sunday. He's now batting an impressive .312 on the season. With the Twins needing a spark and facing an injury to a key player, Lee's continued dominance in Triple-A is a development every fan should be watching closely.
Losing a series finale is tough. Losing your Gold Glove center fielder at the same time is a gut punch. Now three games out of the AL Central lead, the Twins are at a crossroads. As manager Rocco Baldelli said, they need to 'execute better.' With Buxton out, the pressure mounts on Royce Lewis to continue his torrid pace and for others to step up. The coming weeks will be a true test of this team's depth and character, with all eyes on who will fill the void and get the club back to its winning ways.
