The Minnesota Twins lost a 6-5 heartbreaker to the Reds on June 18. Despite Harrison Bader's late homer, TJ Friedl's clutch double sealed the rollercoaster win.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
Some losses just sting more than others. Wednesday night in Cincinnati was one of those, as the Minnesota Twins experienced the highest of highs and the lowest of lows in a gut-wrenching 6-5 defeat to the Reds. A go-ahead, three-run blast from Harrison Bader seemed to script a comeback victory, but the joy was short-lived as the bullpen couldn't hold the line in a game that saw a little bit of everything.
Harrison Bader's three-run blast caromed over the wall off Jake Fraley's glove, briefly giving the Twins a 5-4 lead in the sixth.
The game was a highlight reel waiting to happen. Byron Buxton set the tone early, launching a solo shot in the third inning and then making a spectacular, home-run-robbing catch to deny Will Benson. It felt like vintage Buxton. But the game turned in the bottom of the sixth. After Harrison Bader electrified the Twins' dugout with a three-run homer to snatch a 5-4 lead—a homer that was only possible because of a Reds error—the momentum swung right back. Reliever Brock Stewart, who has been so reliable, surrendered a two-out, two-run double to TJ Friedl that proved to be the game-winner. It was a classic 'so close, yet so far' moment for a team fighting for every win.
Adding to the sting of the loss was the early exit of rookie starter David Festa. The right-hander was absolutely dealing, holding the Reds hitless through the first three innings and looking poised for a breakout performance. But a comebacker in the fourth inning resulted in a right hand contusion, forcing him from the game after allowing four runs (only two earned) in 3.2 innings. His status for his next start is now up in the air, a significant concern for a rotation that has seen fellow prospect Zebby Matthews settle in nicely. The Twins need all the healthy arms they can get.
Festa and Matthews are prime examples of the farm system's importance, but the pipeline is facing its own challenges. The Twins' top three prospects—Walker Jenkins, Emmanuel Rodriguez, and Luke Keaschall—are all currently on the injured list, slowing the development of the next wave of stars. On the bright side, the organization is seeing promising progress from infield prospects Dasan Hill, Kaelen Culpepper, and Kyle DeBarge, who are making names for themselves in the lower levels. It's a reminder that player development is a marathon, not a sprint.
The Twins have no time to dwell on this tough loss. They'll send Bailey Ober (4-3, 4.40 ERA) to the mound for the series finale, looking to salvage a win against a tough opponent in Reds lefty Nick Lodolo (4-5, 3.76 ERA). A bounce-back performance is crucial to wash away the bitter taste of Wednesday's defeat and head home with some positive momentum.
