The Twins dropped their 5th straight game and are back to .500.
After a couple flawless innings from David Festa, the Twins got on the board first in this one thanks to Byron Buxton’s 12th homer, a solo shot in the 3rd. That was after Buxton robbed a homer from Will Benson to end the 2nd inning.
In the 4th, Festa gave up a walk to Gavin Lux, then a walk and 2 outs later Will Benson hit a 2-run double to give the Reds the lead. Spencer Steer then struck out, but the ball got away from catcher Ryan Jeffers so he reached first base to extend the inning. That passed ball by Jeffers would prove costly, as the next batter, Jake Fraley, singled to score two unearned runs. After a hit-by-pitch, Festa’s day was done, as Danny Coulombe got the final out in the 4th.
In the 5th, Jeffers left the game with a right hand contusion as a foul ball had hit it earlier in the game.
In the top of the 6th with 2 outs, Ty France reached on an error, then Brooks Lee extended his hitting streak (16 games) with a single. Trevor Larnach picked up an RBI single to make it 4-2, then Harrison Bader hit a 3-run homer that was nearly stolen by Fraley in right field, but it went off his glove and bounced out. That gave the Twins a 5-4 lead and a huge momentum swing in this ballgame.
It was immediately reversed in the bottom half of the 6th, as the Reds got another 2 out rally going against Brock Stewart. Fraley and McLain singled, then TJ Friedl hit a 2-run double to make it 6-5, Reds.
The two bullpens traded scoreless 7th and 8th innings, with Justin Topa and Cole Sands keeping us within 1 run.
In the 9th, with the go ahead run on 1st, Christian Vazquez struck out to end the game. That puts the Twins back to 36-36 as they have now lost 5 straight.
Studs:
Harrison Bader: 1-3, HR, BB, 3 RBI
Byron Buxton: 1-4, HR, BB
Trevor Larnach: 2-4, 2B, RBI
Duds:
Brock Stewart: 0.2 IP, 3 H, 2 ER
Ryan Jeffers: 2-2, the passed ball that allowed 2 runs to score
Carlos Correa: 0-4
Willi Castro: 0-4