The Twins fell to the Rockies 6-4 on July 19, 2025, despite homers from Byron Buxton and Willi Castro. A big day from Ryan Jeffers wasn't enough to win.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It was one of those nights at Coors Field. The ball was flying, the hits were plentiful, but unfortunately for the Minnesota Twins, most of the early damage came from the other side. Despite a furious late-game rally and monster performances from Byron Buxton and Ryan Jeffers, the Twins couldn't climb out of an early hole, ultimately falling 6-4 to the Colorado Rockies.
Ryan Jeffers was a machine at the plate, matching a career high with four hits in the contest.
The game felt out of reach almost as soon as it began. The Rockies ambushed starter Chris Paddack for four runs in the first inning, powered by a two-run shot from Ryan McMahon and a triple by Jordan Beck. Beck wasn't done, adding a solo homer in the second to stretch the lead. Paddack battled through five innings but ultimately surrendered five runs on eight hits. The Twins' offense, quiet for much of the night, finally roared to life in the seventh when Willi Castro launched a three-run homer to slice the lead to one. However, that was as close as they would get.
While the final score was a disappointment, you can't ignore the production from the heart of the order. Byron Buxton looked every bit the superstar, going 3-for-5 and crushing his 22nd home run of the season. Not to be outdone, catcher Ryan Jeffers was a force, racking up four hits to match his career best. Seeing two of the team's most important bats locked in like this is a massive silver lining, providing hope that the offense can carry them even when the pitching falters.
Just as fans were lamenting another tough start on the mound, the front office delivered some welcome news. Right-handed starter Zebby Matthews has officially been reinstated from the injured list and is slated to start the series finale. Matthews, who has been sidelined with a right shoulder strain since June 8, looked dominant in his final rehab outing for Triple-A St. Paul, striking out nine over four scoreless innings. His return couldn't be more timely. To make room on the roster, promising righty Travis Adams was optioned back to the Saints after a brief but valuable stint in the big leagues.
The loss stings, but the focus immediately shifts to Sunday's rubber match. All eyes will be on Zebby Matthews as he makes his long-awaited return to a rotation that desperately needs a shot in the arm. Can his fresh arm tame the Rockies' bats and salvage a series win in the thin mountain air? Tomorrow's start feels like more than just one game; it's a chance to right the ship and see what a healthy Matthews can bring to the team's second-half push.
