The Twins lost 8-5 to the Red Sox on July 30 as the bullpen faltered and Byron Buxton hit the IL. Trevor Story powered Boston's win. Read the full recap.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It was a day of bitter pills for the Minnesota Twins. Not only did they drop the rubber match to the Boston Red Sox 8-5 on Wednesday, but they did so after officially placing star center fielder Byron Buxton on the 10-day injured list. The loss, fueled by a shaky bullpen performance, drops the Twins to 51-57 and feels particularly heavy as the team navigates yet another stretch without one of its most dynamic players.
With his solo shot on Wednesday, rookie Brooks Lee now has 14 home runs on the season, a powerful silver lining in a cloudy season.
On the field, the story was one of missed opportunities and bullpen woes. Red Sox starter Lucas Giolito kept the Twins' bats quiet for six innings, allowing just a single run. Boston's offense, led by a resurgent Trevor Story who tallied a home run, a double, and three RBIs, built a lead that Minnesota's relievers couldn't contain. Despite a late offensive push, the deficit was too large to overcome, sealing a second straight loss for the club at Target Field.
The pre-game news set a somber tone as Byron Buxton was officially placed on the 10-day IL with the ribcage irritation that forced him from Tuesday's game. It's another frustrating setback for the All-Star, with DaShawn Keirsey Jr. stepping into center field for the time being. In a small bit of positive roster news, catcher Ryan Jeffers was activated from the paternity list, providing a welcome return to the active roster.
The front office was busy trying to patch holes, particularly in the pitching staff. Right-handers Pierson Ohl and Michael Tonkin were called up from Triple-A St. Paul to provide fresh arms for a taxed bullpen. These moves, which saw Travis Adams optioned and Connor Gillispie designated for assignment, are a direct result of the recent trade that sent Chris Paddack and Randy Dobnak to Boston. The team also added catching depth by acquiring Enrique Jimenez from the Tigers, assigning him to St. Paul.
If there's one player immune to the team's struggles, it's Brooks Lee. The rookie shortstop launched his 14th home run of the season, a solo shot that continued his impressive power display. Lee's performance has been a consistent highlight, earning praise on social media where the team noted, 'Brooks Lee is heating up at the plate!' For a team now 11 games back in the division, Lee's development is a crucial storyline for the rest of the season.
Now sitting at 51-57 and falling further behind Detroit in the AL Central, the path forward looks daunting. The Twins must find a way to generate offense without Buxton and hope the new arms in the bullpen can provide immediate stability. As the season slips away, the pressure mounts to salvage what's left and build momentum, with young players like Brooks Lee leading the charge.
