The Minnesota Twins fell 7-3 to the Detroit Tigers on June 29, 2025, as defensive errors and a dominant Tarik Skubal sealed their fate in the series finale.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It was a frustrating night of baseball under the lights at Comerica Park, as the Minnesota Twins fell 7-3 to the Detroit Tigers in a game that felt all too familiar. In the rubber match of a key divisional series, the Twins were once again plagued by the same demons: defensive miscues and an inability to overcome a dominant opposing pitcher. The loss not only surrendered the series to the Tigers but also highlighted the nagging issues that are keeping this team from reaching its full potential.
'We have to clean up the little things. Giving extra outs to a team like Detroit is going to cost you.' - Rocco Baldelli
The game script felt written from the start. Tigers ace Tarik Skubal was masterful, carving up the Twins lineup for 6.2 innings while striking out eight. Minnesota's offense, meanwhile, couldn't muster much outside of a 2-for-4 day from Carlos Correa. The real damage, however, was self-inflicted. Starter Bailey Ober labored through 5 innings, and his line of 5 runs (only 4 earned) tells the story. A throwing error by Jose Miranda and a misplayed ball in the outfield gave the Tigers extra life, and Riley Greene made them pay with a back-breaking three-run homer in the 3rd inning. It's a recurring nightmare for a team that knows it can't afford to give away free outs.
In a game with few bright spots, Byron Buxton provided a familiar spark. In the 8th inning, he launched a solo home run, a towering shot that served as a reminder of his game-changing power. The blast was Buxton's 15th of the season, tying him with Carlos Correa for the team lead. While it didn't change the outcome, seeing 'Buck' connect is always a welcome sight, and the team's social media promptly celebrated the moment, a small consolation on a tough night.
While the big league club struggled, the future offered a tantalizing glimpse of what could be. Down at Triple-A St. Paul, top pitching prospect Marco Raya was simply untouchable, spinning 7 shutout innings with 10 strikeouts and only 2 hits allowed. It was a statement performance from the No. 6 prospect. Elsewhere, outfielder Emmanuel Rodriguez mashed two homers for Wichita, and most encouragingly, rehabbing infielder Brooks Lee went 2-for-4 with a double. With Lee and Royce Lewis still on the IL, these positive developments in the farm system provide a much-needed dose of optimism for the second half.
The loss stings, dropping the Twins to 44-39 and putting more distance between them and the division-leading Tigers. As the All-Star break looms, the theme remains the same: find consistency. The talent is there, but as Sunday's game proved, potential doesn't win games—execution does. With the front office remaining quiet, it's up to the players in the clubhouse to tighten up their play and get back on track before the Central race gets out of hand.
