Twins fall to Rockies 6-4 on July 19 despite Byron Buxton's HR. Zebby Matthews returns, but Jordan Beck's big night powers Colorado to victory at Coors Field.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It was a day of mixed emotions in the Mile High City. While the sight of Zebby Matthews back on the mound was a welcome boost, the final score was a familiar disappointment. The Minnesota Twins couldn't keep pace with the Colorado Rockies, falling 6-4 despite another majestic home run from Byron Buxton and dropping their second consecutive game.
Byron Buxton's solo shot was his 23rd of the season, a powerful silver lining in an otherwise frustrating day for the Minnesota offense.
The thin air of Coors Field lived up to its reputation, but unfortunately, it was mostly for the home team. The Rockies' offense was relentless, paced by a monster game from Jordan Beck who went 3-for-5 with a home run, a triple, and two RBIs. Ryan McMahon also homered for Colorado, putting the game just out of reach. For Minnesota, offense was hard to come by. Beyond Buxton's impressive blast, the lineup struggled to string together key hits, failing to capitalize on opportunities and leaving them unable to overcome the deficit.
The biggest storyline heading into Saturday was the return of Zebby Matthews. Reinstated from the injured list after battling a shoulder injury, Matthews was immediately inserted into the starting role. While he was ultimately tagged with the loss, his return is a significant development for a Twins rotation in need of stability. Getting him back on the mound and working his way back to full strength is a crucial long-term win for the club, regardless of Saturday's result. His health will be a key factor in any potential second-half push.
This loss drops the Twins to 47-50 on the season, putting them in a precarious third-place position in the AL Central. A two-game losing streak is exactly what this team didn't need as they try to gain ground. With the only roster move being Matthews' activation, the organization is showing faith that this current group can turn it around. However, the clock is ticking, and the pressure is mounting to translate competitive games into victories.
The Twins will look to salvage the series and avoid a sweep against the Rockies in the finale. The pressure is on to stop this two-game skid and generate some positive momentum. Getting a solid start on the mound and more consistent offense will be critical to get back in the win column and stay relevant in the AL Central race.
