Brooks Lee shines with 4 hits, but the Twins fall 6-3 to the Mariners on June 23, 2025. Can Minnesota stop their brutal slide despite a struggling offense?
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
Another night at Target Field, another frustrating result. While rookie Brooks Lee put on a show with a brilliant 4-for-4 performance, it was merely a silver lining in a familiar grey cloud as the Minnesota Twins fell 6-3 to the Seattle Mariners. The loss kicks off a crucial homestand on a sour note and extends the team's brutal slide, leaving fans wondering when the bleeding will stop.
The Twins have now lost 13 of their last 16 games, a jarring statistic for a team that boasted the best ERA in baseball.
Monday's game felt like a microcosm of the Twins' recent struggles. Brooks Lee was a one-man wrecking crew, lacing four hits across the diamond, but the rest of the lineup couldn't provide the necessary support. Seattle starter Bryan Woo kept the Twins off balance for most of the night, and while Byron Buxton managed a single and a steal, the big hits with runners in scoring position never materialized. Bailey Ober's start was serviceable, but the bullpen once again allowed the Mariners to pull away late, sealing another disappointing defeat.
The backbone of this Twins team all season has been its pitching, but that foundation is showing cracks. Despite still holding the best team ERA in MLB (2.23), the recent stretch has been rough. To address the strain, the front office made a move Monday, claiming right-hander Connor Gillispie off waivers from the Marlins. While his 8.65 ERA in the majors doesn't jump off the page, the 27-year-old provides a needed arm for the Triple-A Saints and fills the final 40-man roster spot. It's a low-risk depth move, but one that underscores the current pressure on the pitching staff. Chris Paddack's recent dominance (one run in 14.1 innings) has been a godsend, but the team needs more consistency up and down the roster.
If there's a light at the end of this tunnel, it's the potential return of key offensive pieces. Both Matt Wallner and Luke Keaschall are reportedly progressing well in their rehab assignments and could rejoin the big-league club soon. Their return would provide a much-needed jolt to a lineup that has been inconsistent. Meanwhile, all eyes are on superstar Royce Lewis, who is battling to regain his elite form after a recent slump. Getting Lewis back to his world-beating ways is paramount if the Twins hope to right the ship and make a serious push.
The Twins are in a tailspin, there's no sugarcoating it. Monday's loss was another chapter in a frustrating month. However, with promising rookies like Lee showing their potential and key players nearing a return, hope is not lost. The team's mettle is being tested, and the next few games in this series against the Mariners will be critical in determining whether this is a temporary slump or a more significant slide.
