Twins fall to Rays 7-5 in a 10-inning heartbreaker on July 6, 2025. Despite homers from Buxton & Bader, bullpen woes cost Minnesota the game. Recap inside.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It was a game that had it all: an explosive start, a quality outing from the ace, a dramatic late-game comeback, and ultimately, a gut-wrenching finish. The Minnesota Twins battled for 10 innings against the Tampa Bay Rays on Sunday, only to fall 7-5, encapsulating the frustrating up-and-down nature of their 2025 season in a single afternoon.
Byron Buxton hit his 20th home run on the second pitch of the game, marking his fifth leadoff homer of the season.
The Target Field crowd was electrified from the jump. On just the second pitch of the game, Byron Buxton launched his 20th home run of the year, a no-doubter that continued his incredible tear as a leadoff man. Starter Joe Ryan backed up the early lead with a strong performance, navigating six innings while allowing just two runs and fanning eight Rays. But the lead vanished, and it took a heroic, pinch-hit two-run blast from Harrison Bader in the eighth to tie the game at 4-4 and send it to extras. Unfortunately, the bullpen couldn't seal the deal. Justin Topa took the loss in the 10th, surrendering a go-ahead double to Yandy Díaz that opened the floodgates for a three-run Tampa Bay frame.
Sunday's extra-inning loss put a harsh spotlight on a bullpen that the front office is actively trying to fortify. The team's recent moves reflect this urgency. With starter Bailey Ober still sidelined by a left hip impingement, every arm is critical. On Saturday, the Twins made a change, optioning lefty Kody Funderburk to St. Paul and calling up right-hander Travis Adams. Adams, now wearing number 45, is the latest arm tasked with providing stability to a relief corps that has struggled with consistency.
While the pitching staff churns, a key piece of the offense is still trying to find his footing. Third baseman Royce Lewis was activated from the 10-day injured list earlier in the week after recovering from a left hamstring strain, a move that sent Jonah Bride (.170 BA) packing. The hope was that Lewis would provide an immediate spark, but the star third baseman has struggled to get going this season, hitting just .202 with a .585 OPS in 30 games. For the Twins to make a serious second-half push, they'll need their cornerstone player to return to the form fans know he's capable of.
The loss stings, dropping the Twins to three games below .500 with a tough series against the Chicago Cubs on the horizon. The team gets a much-needed day off Monday before Simeon Woods Richardson takes the mound on Tuesday. The ingredients for success are there—Buxton's power, Ryan's arm, and the potential of Lewis—but can they put it all together consistently? The next few weeks will be critical in determining the direction of this season.
