Byron Buxton's two homers weren't enough as the Twins lost 9-8 to the Brewers on June 22, 2025. Despite 4 hits from Correa, a sweep sinks Minnesota.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It was a game that had everything: towering home runs, multi-hit heroes, and a furious late-inning rally. Everything, that is, except a Minnesota Twins victory. In a gut-wrenching 9-8 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers, the Twins were swept out of town, marking their fifth consecutive series defeat. The loss encapsulates the team's current frustrating reality: even when the bats come alive, the pitching struggles are too deep to overcome, leaving fans to wonder where this team goes from here.
The Twins' bullpen ERA in June is now 6.46, the worst in MLB.
Sunday's finale was a slugfest that ultimately ended in familiar disappointment. Rookie pitcher David Festa had a tough outing, getting tagged for eight runs on 12 hits in just 4 2/3 innings. The offense, however, refused to quit. Byron Buxton launched two homers, while Carlos Correa and Brooks Lee seemed to be on base all afternoon, each collecting four hits. A two-run homer by Ty France in the eighth inning pulled the Twins within one, setting up a tense finish. But Brewers closer Trevor Megill extinguished the threat, ending a painful series and extending the Twins' slide to 13 losses in their last 16 games.
If there's one reason to keep tuning in amidst the gloom, it's Byron Buxton. The center fielder is on an absolute tear, hitting two more home runs on Sunday to bring his total to a staggering six homers in his last six games. His power surge has been a spectacular sight, a lone bright spot providing glimmers of hope. While his individual brilliance wasn't enough for the win, it's a reminder of the game-changing talent that still resides in this lineup, capable of catching fire at any moment.
While Buxton provided the power, Carlos Correa and Brooks Lee provided the consistency. Both infielders turned in four-hit performances, setting the table all day and keeping the pressure on the Brewers' pitching staff. For Correa, it's another day at the office for one of the team's most reliable bats. For the rookie Lee, it's another sign that he belongs, as he continues to string together quality at-bats and extend his hitting streak. Seeing the top of the order produce nine hits is exactly what you want, which makes the final result all the more bitter.
You can't win if you can't get outs, and right now, that's the Twins' biggest problem. The team's collective ERA for the month of June has ballooned to 6.46, the worst mark in all of Major League Baseball. Festa's rough start was just the latest example of a pitching staff that is getting hit hard and often. The bullpen, once a source of strength, has been unable to stop the bleeding. This glaring weakness is undermining every offensive rally and turning potential wins into agonizing losses.
With the team spiraling and the pitching in shambles, trade rumors are beginning to swirl. Reports suggest the front office may consider a dramatic move: trading a high-leverage reliever like Jhoan Duran or Griffin Jax to acquire a significant offensive upgrade. The logic is that the team has a surplus of power arms but a desperate need for impact bats. Complicating matters are injuries to top prospects like Walker Jenkins and Emmanuel Rodriguez, limiting internal options and increasing the pressure to look outside the organization for help. It's a high-risk, high-reward proposition that could define the second half of the season.
The Twins are at a crossroads. With 13 losses in their last 16 games and a pitching staff in disarray, the season is slipping away. The offense is showing signs of life, but it can't outslug a broken bullpen forever. All eyes now turn to the front office. Will they make a bold trade to salvage the season, or will this brutal stretch define 2025? The upcoming series will be critical, not just for the standings, but for signaling the team's direction as the trade deadline looms.
