The Minnesota Twins fell 2-1 to the Pittsburgh Pirates on July 13, 2025, after a 9th-inning rally. Jhoan Duran took the loss despite a 2-hit return by Carlos Correa.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It was a script that felt just a little too familiar. Despite a successful nine-game homestand, the Minnesota Twins couldn't grab that one last win, falling 2-1 to the Pittsburgh Pirates in a frustrating finale at Target Field. The loss not only snapped the Pirates' eight-game losing streak but also denied the Twins a chance to climb to the .500 mark for the first time in nearly a month, sending them into the All-Star break with a lingering sense of what could have been.
The Twins finished their nine-game homestand 6-3 but missed the chance to reach .500 for the first time since June 17.
The game was a classic pitcher's duel that ultimately unraveled for Minnesota in the final frame. Starter Simeon Woods Richardson was solid, navigating 4 2/3 innings while allowing just one run. But the dagger came in the top of the ninth when the Pirates loaded the bases against Jhoan Duran, pushing across the go-ahead run on a Spencer Horwitz groundout. The Twins' offense, despite collecting eight hits, couldn't muster the clutch hit it needed, with Byron Buxton's third-inning RBI double accounting for all of their scoring.
One major positive from the otherwise frustrating day was the return of Carlos Correa. Back in the lineup after a mild ankle sprain, the shortstop looked sharp, collecting two hits and showing no ill effects from the injury. Along with two-hit performances from Byron Buxton and Harrison Bader, Correa's presence underscored that the lineup has the pieces to produce. However, Sunday's game was a stark reminder that individual success doesn't always translate to the scoreboard, as the team stranded multiple runners in scoring position.
As the big-league club heads for a few days off, help could be on the horizon. Top pitching prospect Zebby Matthews officially began his rehab assignment with the Triple-A St. Paul Saints on Sunday. Matthews, who has been sidelined with a shoulder strain since early June, could provide a significant boost to the team's pitching depth in the second half if his recovery continues to progress smoothly. His return is a key storyline to watch as the Twins gear up for their post-break push.
While the 2-1 loss leaves a sour taste, a 6-3 homestand is nothing to scoff at. The Twins now get a much-needed four-day All-Star break to rest and reset. They'll return to action on July 18 on the road against the Colorado Rockies, hoping that the thin mountain air can spark the offense and kick off a second-half surge back into contention.
