Twins fall to Rockies 6-4 on July 19, 2025, despite huge nights from Byron Buxton and Ryan Jeffers. A disastrous first inning sealed Minnesota's fate.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It was a night of frustrating contrasts at Coors Field. While Byron Buxton and Ryan Jeffers put on an offensive clinic, their heroics weren't enough to overcome a disastrous first inning, as the Minnesota Twins fell 6-4 to the Colorado Rockies, a team with the worst record in Major League Baseball. The loss drops the Twins back to two games under .500 and serves as a painful reminder of the team's season-long struggle with consistency.
Ryan Jeffers matched a career high with four hits, going 4-for-5 in the losing effort.
The game was nearly lost before the Twins recorded their third out. Starter Chris Paddack was ambushed in the first inning, surrendering a four-run onslaught highlighted by a two-run homer from Ryan McMahon and a triple from Jordan Beck. Beck, who tormented Twins pitching all night, added a solo home run in the second, finishing just a double shy of the cycle. Paddack ultimately lasted five innings, charged with five earned runs, unable to give his team a chance to win from the outset.
Despite the deep hole, the offense refused to quit. Byron Buxton continued his stellar season, going 3-for-5 and launching his 22nd home run of the year. Catcher Ryan Jeffers was a one-man wrecking crew, matching his career high with four hits. The biggest spark came in the seventh inning when Willi Castro blasted a three-run homer, suddenly pulling the Twins within striking distance at 5-4. Unfortunately, the rally stalled there, and the early damage proved insurmountable.
The loss keeps the Twins (47-49) treading water in the AL Central. They remain tied with Cleveland for third place, a distant 11.5 games behind the division-leading Detroit Tigers. The defeat also underscored their struggles away from Target Field, dropping their road record to a dismal 19-29. Games against cellar-dwellers like the Rockies are must-wins for a team with playoff aspirations, making this loss particularly stinging.
While fans might be clamoring for a move to shake things up, the front office remained quiet on Saturday. No trades, roster moves, or significant injury updates were announced. The farm system was equally uneventful, with no major promotions or demotions. The team's last transaction remains the acquisition of pitcher Noah Davis from the Dodgers on July 14, who continues to work at Triple-A St. Paul.
With a starter yet to be named for Sunday's series finale, the Twins face a crucial test. They can't afford to drop a series to the worst team in baseball, not if they want to climb out of their sub-.500 hole and make a serious run in the AL Central. A win tomorrow isn't just about avoiding a sweep; it's about proving they can beat the teams they're supposed to beat and building momentum for the stretch run.
