Rocky Mountain Low: Twins Skid Hits Four as Pitching Falters in Loss to Rockies

• The Minnesota Twins were swept by the Colorado Rockies, losing the final game 10-6 and extending their losing streak to four games.
• Zebby Matthews struggled in his return from the injured list, allowing 6 runs on 9 hits over 5 innings.
• Byron Buxton continued his hot hitting, launching a home run and driving in two runs.
• The loss drops the Twins to 47-51, putting them 11.5 games behind the Detroit Tigers in the AL Central.
• To make roster space for Matthews, pitcher Travis Adams was optioned to Triple-A St. Paul.

Another day, another disappointing result. The Minnesota Twins dropped their fourth straight game on Sunday, falling 10-6 to the Colorado Rockies in a Coors Field slugfest. The loss sealed a series sweep for the Rockies—their first home series win of the entire season—and pushed the Twins further into a mid-season hole that's getting deeper by the day.

The Twins now sit at 47-51, a whopping 11.5 games behind the Detroit Tigers in the AL Central.

Matthews' Rough Return

All eyes were on Zebby Matthews as he was activated from the 15-day injured list to start Sunday's game. Unfortunately, the much-needed boost he was supposed to provide never materialized. The right-hander looked rusty in his return, getting tagged for 6 runs on 9 hits over 5 innings of work. After the offense spotted him an early 3-1 lead, Matthews couldn't hold it, surrendering a five-run rally in the middle innings that put the Rockies ahead for good. His ERA ballooned to 5.40, leaving fans and the front office wondering where the rotation goes from here. To make room for Matthews, pitcher Travis Adams was optioned back to Triple-A St. Paul after a brief stint with the big-league club.

Buxton Stays Hot, But Offense Can't Outslug Pitching Woes

If there's any silver lining to be found in the thin mountain air, it's the continued production from Byron Buxton. Buck stayed hot, launching a home run and driving in two. His performance was a bright spot highlighted on the team's social media, though fan sentiment remained focused on the frustrating losses. Royce Lewis also chipped in with a two-run double, but the offensive bursts weren't enough to overcome the pitching collapse. The bats put up six runs, which should be enough to win on most days, but not when the pitching staff is this porous.

Bullpen Blues Continue

The bullpen couldn't stop the bleeding after Matthews exited. The relief corps allowed another four runs over the final three innings, punctuated by a two-run shot from Colorado's Hunter Goodman. This has become a troubling pattern during the losing streak: starters struggle, and the bullpen can't keep the game within reach. A four-game losing streak is bad enough, but getting swept by a team that hadn't won a home series all year is a gut punch.

Minor League Injury Update

Down on the farm, the news wasn't much better. Outfield prospect Misael Urbina, playing for the High-A Cedar Rapids Kernels, was placed on the 7-day injured list with a left hand contusion. It's another tough break for a Kernels team that is already dealing with a significant number of injuries.

The Twins have to find a way to stop the bleeding, and fast. This four-game skid against a struggling Rockies team is a low point in a season that's quickly spiraling. With the team falling further behind in the AL Central, every game feels more critical. They need to regroup, find some pitching answers, and hope the offense can carry them out of this tailspin before the season is lost for good.