Joe Ryan's 8-inning gem wasn't enough as the Twins' bullpen collapsed in a 9-8 loss to the Tigers on June 28. See how Detroit rallied for the win.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It was the kind of game that will sting for a while. In a heavyweight bout between two of the AL Central's best arms, Joe Ryan delivered a masterful eight-inning performance, only to watch from the dugout as the bullpen crumbled in a gut-wrenching 9-8 loss to the Detroit Tigers. Despite heroics from Carlos Correa and Byron Buxton, the Twins couldn't overcome a late Tigers rally, leaving fans to wonder what could have been.
Joe Ryan: 8 innings, 8 strikeouts, and a heartbreaking loss.
Saturday's matchup had all the makings of a classic pitchers' duel, and for a long time, it delivered. Joe Ryan was simply electric for the Twins, carving up the Tigers' lineup for eight innings while racking up eight strikeouts. On the other side, Detroit's Tarik Skubal was nearly as good, going the distance with nine strikeouts of his own to earn the win. It was a chess match on the mound, with both starters refusing to blink. Ryan's effort was exactly the kind of ace-like performance you want on the road, but baseball can be a cruel game, and his brilliant start ultimately ended in a loss on his record.
The Twins' offense didn't let the stellar pitching completely silence their bats. They fought tooth and nail, scratching across runs to keep pace in the seesaw affair. Byron Buxton looked sharp, collecting multiple hits and showing flashes of the game-changer he can be. Carlos Correa provided the power, launching a home run that seemed to give the team a critical jolt. For much of the game, it felt like they had done just enough to back up their ace and secure a tough divisional win.
The story of this game, and frankly, a recurring theme for the Twins, was the late-inning meltdown. After Ryan departed, the bullpen was tasked with locking down a narrow lead, and they simply couldn't get it done. The Tigers rallied against the relief corps, turning a potential Twins victory into a devastating loss. It's a frustrating outcome that puts a magnifying glass on the team's need for reliable, high-leverage arms to close out these tight contests.
With no roster moves made today, the current group will have to be the one to bounce back. The team is still anxiously awaiting the returns of Royce Lewis and Brooks Lee, whose bats are sorely missed. While the big league club licks its wounds, there's a beacon of hope down on the farm. Top prospect Walker Jenkins was in action for the Double-A Wichita Wind Surge, with his game even featured on MLB.TV. Jenkins continues to impress, offering a tantalizing glimpse of a future star who could one day be a major part of the solution in Minneapolis.
This one hurts. There's no other way to put it. Wasting a gem from Joe Ryan in a divisional game is a tough pill to swallow. The Twins have to have a short memory, flush this loss, and come back tomorrow ready to salvage the series. The path forward requires the bullpen to find its footing and the offense to keep battling until the cavalry, in the form of Royce Lewis and Brooks Lee, finally arrives.
