Box Score
SP: Joe Ryan 4.0 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 4 K (93 pitches, 56 strikes (60%))
Home Runs: N/A
Bottom 3 WPA: Cole Sands (-.407), Brooks Lee (-.196), Luke Keaschall (-.151)
Win Probability Chart (via FanGraphs)
After a dramatic win Friday night, the Twins looked to keep the good times rolling against the visiting Diamondbacks. Joe Ryan looked to find some redemption after his worst start of the season, but the Twins had to find some offense against the young righty Ryne Nelson. What version of Ryan and the Twins would show up live on Saturday night?
Ryan Escapes Danger, but Twins Can’t Capitalize
Ryan cruised through the first inning, but ran his pitch count up in the top of the second. Gabrie Moreno got things started with a single, and with one out Blaze Alexander also singled. A two-out Tim Tawa walk put Ryan on the ropes with the bases loaded, but he struck out Jake McCarthy to end the threat.
Meanwhile, the Twins built a second inning bases loaded threat of their own. Luke Keaschall singled to lead things off, then Royce Lewis and Kody Clemens followed suit to load things with nobody out. In typical 2025 Twins fashion, that’s where the threat ended. Brooks Lee and Jhonny Pereda struck out, and James Outman grounded out to keep things scoreless.
Ryan Doesn’t Escape Danger, Twins Still Can’t Capitalize
In the top of the fourth, Adrian Del Castillo doubled to start the inning. Ryan got Alexander this time, but not Alex Thomas, who took Ryan deep to stake the Diamondbacks to a 2-0 lead. With his pitch count already to 93, the fourth would be the last inning for Ryan and it was up to the bullpen to hold the game within reach. Pierson Ohl was the first man up, and he immediately loaded the bases with nobody out in the top of the fifth. Luckily, Arizona kept finding infielders as the next two batters grounded into fielder’s choices, with the Twins nabbing the runners at the plate. Ohl escaped, and the Twins were left to fight another inning.
The Twins thought they had finally gotten to Nelson in the bottom of the sixth, when Austin Martin and Trevor Larnach walked to start the inning. Luke Keaschall grounded into a 6-4-3, however, and Lewis grounded out to end yet another scoring chance. In the bottom of the seventh, the Twins once again got a couple of runners on with one-out singles by Lee and Pereda. Carson McCusker got a pinch hit opportunity to hit that first home run of his career. Off the bat, he thought he had it, but the warning track power landed in Thomas’ glove at the wall for the second out of the inning. Byron Buxton‘s fly out ended yet another opporunity for the home team.
Bullpen Keeps Holding Serve, Offense Finally Capitalizes
Rookie Cody Laweryson made the most of his first major league outing, taking care of business in the seventh and eighth innings. Taylor Rashi got the ball for Arizona in the bottom of the eighth, and Martin jumped all over him to start yet another threat with a lead-off double. Larnach went down swinging, but Keaschall walked, and then Lewis singled to load the bases yet again. Last night, Kody Clemens achieved home run hero status. Tonight, it just took a single to tie up the game.
After Clemens stole second, the Twins had a chance to take the lead, but Pereda popped up and the game headed to the ninth all square at two apiece.
Another Crazy Ninth? Or Tenth?
Kody Funderburk got the call for the top of the ninth, and he did his job swimmingly. Three up, three down. John Curtiss came in to neutralize the Twins, and he did the same. Time for extras!
Cole Sands threw the tenth, hoping not to face the same struggles as he did Friday night. A sacrifice bunt got the ghost runner, Jorge Barrosa to third base, and Sands caught Ketel Marte looking for the second out. The Twins decided to intentionally walk Corbin Carrol, who promptly stole second base. Moreno then hit one into the hole at short, and Lee was unable to throw him out while Barrosa scampered home to put Arizona up 3-2. A stronger arm could have ended the inning, but that arm now plays in Houston. Sands then walked Adrian Del Castillo to load the bases yet again, and needed to get Alexander to stop the bleeding. He didn’t. Alexander hit a gusher, a double to right, scoring Carroll and Moreno to continue Sands’ rough weekend. The Twins couldn’t move their ghost runner an inch, and the game ended with a whimper at 5-2.
What’s Next?
The Twins look to recover and win the series on Sunday afternoon. Bailey Ober (5-7, 5.08 ERA) looks to finish his season trending upward in wins, not ERA. Opposing him will be young righty Nabil Crismatt (2-0, 3.24 ERA). First pitch is scheduled for 1:10pm CDT.
Postgame Interviews
Bullpen Usage Spreadsheet
TUE
WED
THU
FRI
SAT
TOT
Ohl
43
0
0
0
35
78
Sands
0
18
0
21
26
65
Hatch
24
0
0
0
0
24
Funderburk
0
0
0
7
15
22
Tonkin
0
0
0
20
0
20
Laweryson
0
0
0
0
20
20
Adams
0
0
0
17
0
17
Cabrera
0
0
0
0
0
0