Harrison Bader's walk-off homer caps a thrilling 4-3 comeback for the Twins over the Rays on July 5. Buxton's RBI double sparked the late rally. Read more!
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
Just when it seemed like the Minnesota Twins were headed for a frustrating loss, Harrison Bader decided to play hero—twice. Bader blasted his second home run of the night, a towering walk-off shot in the bottom of the ninth, to seal a thrilling 4-3 comeback victory over the Tampa Bay Rays and send the Target Field crowd into a frenzy.
It was Harrison Bader's first career walk-off homer and his third career walk-off RBI, a truly unforgettable night for the center fielder.
The path to victory was anything but simple. The Twins trailed 3-1 heading into the late innings, with starter Chris Paddack delivering a respectable performance over five-plus innings, allowing just two earned runs. The comeback began in the seventh, when MVP candidate Byron Buxton laced a crucial two-out RBI double. The rally continued in bizarre fashion as Willi Castro and Brooks Lee were both hit by pitches with the bases loaded, tying the game and setting the stage for Bader's ninth-inning heroics. Louis Varland was brilliant in relief, tossing two scoreless innings to earn the win.
The electrifying win was made even sweeter by the return of a key offensive weapon. Infielder Royce Lewis was activated from the 10-day injured list and immediately slotted back into the lineup after recovering from a left hamstring strain. While his six-game rehab stint in St. Paul was statistically quiet (.174 BA), his presence alone provides a massive jolt of energy and lengthens a lineup that is starting to look incredibly deep. Having Lewis's bat back in the mix is a game-changer for the second half of the season.
While Bader had the final say, Byron Buxton continues to be the engine of this Twins offense. His clutch double was just the latest example of his phenomenal season. Buxton is putting up MVP-caliber numbers, with his season home run total now at 17. His .575 slugging percentage ranks fourth in all of Major League Baseball, and perhaps most impressively, he's shown incredible plate discipline, drawing 12 walks against only 10 strikeouts in June. He's not just hitting for power; he's becoming one of the most complete hitters in the game.
It wasn't all good news on the personnel front. The team placed right-hander Bailey Ober on the 15-day injured list with a left hip impingement, a tough blow for the starting rotation. In his place, lefty Kody Funderburk has been recalled from Triple-A St. Paul to provide a fresh arm for the bullpen. In a corresponding move, third baseman Jonah Bride, who was recently designated for assignment, was sent outright to St. Paul, clearing a spot on the 40-man roster.
This was more than just one win; it was a statement. A comeback victory fueled by clutch hitting, a returning star in Royce Lewis, and an MVP candidate in Byron Buxton shows the resilience and firepower of this squad. As they look to take the series against the Rays tomorrow, the Twins have a wave of momentum and a renewed sense of what's possible. This team is fun to watch, and the best may be yet to come.
