Byron Buxton's 12th homer wasn't enough as the Twins fell to the Reds 6-3 on June 17, 2025. Emerson Festa struggled against a hot Elly De La Cruz.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It was another frustrating night for the Minnesota Twins, as a promising power display was overshadowed by a rocky start on the mound, leading to a 6-3 loss against the Cincinnati Reds. While the team's record fell to a disappointing 9-17, the continued brilliance of Byron Buxton provided a significant silver lining on a cloudy evening in Ohio.
We need to keep grinding and find ways to win close games.
The series opener at Great American Ball Park got away from the Twins in the middle innings. Starter Emerson Festa battled but couldn't contain the Reds' offense, surrendering five earned runs over 4.1 innings. The big blow came in the third, a three-run shot by Elly De La Cruz that put Cincinnati in control. Festa's ERA climbed to 5.12, highlighting the ongoing search for consistency in the starting rotation. On the other side, Reds ace Andrew Abbott was masterful, striking out eight and keeping the Twins' bats mostly quiet through six strong innings.
If there's one player who is single-handedly trying to will this team to victory, it's Byron Buxton. For the second straight game, Buck sent a ball into the seats, launching his 12th home run of the season. He finished the night 2-for-4 with two RBI, leading the team in both home runs and RBI (41). His recent tear is a welcome sight for an offense that has struggled for consistency. The homer also brought him just two shy of the 250 mark for his career, a significant milestone that's just around the corner.
Despite Buxton's heroics and an RBI double from Ty France, the Twins couldn't mount a full comeback. The loss marks their second in a row and keeps them languishing in fourth place in the AL Central. While the team has now homered in a season-best five consecutive games, they're still searching for the formula to translate that power into wins. Manager Rocco Baldelli summed up the team's predicament, stating the need to 'keep grinding.' With no roster moves or injury updates, it appears the current squad will be tasked with finding that winning formula themselves.
The Twins will look to even the series tomorrow, hoping to build on the few positives from tonight's game. If the bullpen can remain solid and the offense can provide more support for Buxton's power surge, they have a chance to snap this losing streak and start turning the season around. One thing is for sure: all eyes will be on #25 every time he steps to the plate.
