The Twins offense vanished in a 2-0 loss to the Marlins on July 2, wasting a gem from Joe Ryan. Can the newly activated Royce Lewis spark a turnaround?
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It was a familiar, frustrating story in Miami on Tuesday night. A fantastic starting pitching performance, this time from Joe Ryan, completely undone by an offense that went missing in action. The Minnesota Twins scraped together just two hits in a 2-0 loss to the red-hot Marlins, a game that felt over before it ever really began. But as the bats went silent, a glimmer of hope arrived in the form of a roster move: Royce Lewis is back. The question is, can he be the spark this team so desperately needs?
Seven. That's how many times the Twins have been shut out this season after last night's 2-0 snoozer against the Marlins.
Joe Ryan was everything you could ask for on the mound. He carved through the Marlins' lineup for seven innings, allowing just one earned run on a solo homer by Kyle Stowers. It was a bona fide quality start that should have put the Twins in a position to win. Instead, he was simply outdueled. Miami's Edward Cabrera was untouchable, holding Minnesota to just two hits over seven dominant frames. The offense never threatened, striking out six times against Cabrera, including a milestone 400th career K on a whiff from Byron Buxton. An insurance run in the eighth sealed the deal, dropping the Twins to 40-45 and marking another night of offensive futility.
Just before the game, the Twins officially activated Royce Lewis from the 10-day injured list, designating the struggling Jonah Bride for assignment. While the move was expected, the timing feels critical. Lewis, who was sidelined with a left hamstring strain, now rejoins a team gasping for air at the plate. Let's be honest, though: Lewis himself was struggling before the injury, hitting just .202 with a .585 OPS. But potential is the key word here. At his best, Lewis is a dynamic, game-changing presence. Compared to Bride's .170 average, the upgrade is clear, but the team needs the 2023 version of Royce, not the 2025 version we've seen so far. The pressure is on, immediately.
There's no time to dwell on the loss. The Twins are right back at it Wednesday night, sending Simeon Woods Richardson (3-4, 4.63 ERA) to the mound against Miami's Janson Junk (2-0, 3.73 ERA). All eyes will be on the lineup card to see where Lewis slots in and what kind of energy he can bring. Can Byron Buxton, despite a hitless night, find his rhythm? Can this team manufacture a run? It's more than just another game; it's a chance to stop the bleeding against a Marlins team riding an eight-game winning streak and prove that last night was an anomaly, not the norm.
One game doesn't define a season, but nights like this feel heavy. The return of Royce Lewis provides a narrative of hope, a potential catalyst for change. Now, he and the rest of the lineup have to turn that narrative into reality. Wednesday's game is the first test. Will we see a resurgent offense, or will the silence from the dugout continue? We'll be watching.
