The Twins fell to the Astros 6-2 on June 13, 2025, as their offense went 1-for-8 with RISP. Chris Paddack struggled while Jeremy Peña starred for Houston.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It's a story Twins fans have seen too many times this season. Runners on base, a chance to break the game open, and... nothing. That familiar frustration was the theme on Friday night in Houston, as the Twins fell 6-2 to the Astros in the series opener. Despite getting men on, the bats went silent at the worst possible moments, squandering opportunities and leaving a solid pitching performance from the bullpen to go to waste.
1-for-8 with runners in scoring position.
Starter Chris Paddack battled but couldn't give the Twins the length they needed. The right-hander lasted just 4.2 innings, surrendering five runs while striking out four. The big blow came from Astros shortstop Jeremy Peña, who had a monster night, going 3-for-4 with a home run and three RBIs. Paddack's early exit put the pressure squarely on an offense that simply couldn't answer the call, and while the bullpen was solid in relief, the damage was already done.
Byron Buxton and Carlos Correa each managed to drive in a run, but those were fleeting moments of success in a sea of missed chances. The box score tells the brutal truth: the team went a paltry 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position. This isn't a one-night issue; it's the continuation of a costly trend that has seen the team drop five of their last seven contests. You can't win ballgames in this league if you can't cash in, and right now, the Twins are leaving a feast on the table every night.
While the on-field result was tough, there are signs of life and future hope. Byron Buxton gave fans a fun behind-the-scenes look at his pre-game routine on Instagram, a small reminder of the personalities driving this team. More importantly, the future continues to look bright down on the farm. Recent call-up Zebby Matthews is settling in and solidifying his spot in the big-league rotation, a huge win for the player development system. Despite injuries to top prospects like Walker Jenkins and Emmanuel Rodriguez, the system's depth in pitching and infield talent remains a major strength, promising reinforcements are in the pipeline.
One loss doesn't define a season, but a recurring problem can. The Twins have to find a way to snap out of this offensive funk, and fast. With two more games against a tough Astros team this weekend, they'll have an immediate chance to prove they can deliver the clutch hits that have been so elusive. It's a critical early-summer test for a team with playoff aspirations. Can they solve the RISP riddle, or will they keep leaving wins stranded on the basepaths?
