Brewers top Twins 5-3 on June 20, 2025, as Christian Yelich's 3-run homer overshadows Byron Buxton's solo shot. Why did the Twins' bats go cold?
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It was a classic case of 'so close, yet so far' for the Minnesota Twins on Friday night. Despite another stellar performance from a red-hot Byron Buxton, the team's bats fell silent at the worst possible moments, leading to a frustrating 5-3 series-opening loss to the Milwaukee Brewers at Target Field. A single swing from Christian Yelich proved to be the difference-maker, spoiling an otherwise solid start from Joe Ryan and leaving Twins fans wondering what could have been.
The Twins left 8 runners on base and went a dismal 1-for-7 with runners in scoring position.
Joe Ryan was cruising for much of the night, but one mistake pitch in the 5th inning cost him dearly. Milwaukee's Christian Yelich launched a three-run homer that turned a manageable deficit into a deep hole. Ryan finished with a quality start, going 6 innings with 7 strikeouts and allowing 4 runs, but the damage was done. The bullpen later surrendered an insurance run, but the game was truly lost at the plate. Time and again, the Twins put runners on base only to see rallies fizzle out, a recurring theme that has plagued them during this recent skid.
If there was a silver lining, it was the continued dominance of Byron Buxton. Buck was the offensive engine, going 2-for-4 with a towering solo home run—his 16th of the year—and a double. He's been on an absolute tear, hitting .400 over his last four games and providing a consistent spark at the top of the lineup. While his heroics weren't enough to secure a win tonight, his resurgence is a massive boost for a team that desperately needs his MVP-caliber production.
This loss stings a little more when you look at the standings. The Twins have been firmly in the AL Central playoff hunt for most of June, accumulating 20 'Summer Score' points between late May and June 15. However, their recent slide means they haven't added to that total since, and losses in winnable games like this one are exactly what they can't afford. Every game matters, and failing to capitalize at home against a division rival is a missed opportunity to gain ground.
The Twins will look to even the series against the Brewers tomorrow, and they'll need the rest of the lineup to wake up and support the Herculean efforts of Byron Buxton. One loss doesn't define a season, but with the AL Central race tightening, these are the games Minnesota needs to win. Here's hoping the bats come alive and they can get back on track.
