Box Score
SP: Joe Ryan – 7.0 IP, 2 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 5 K (91 pitches, 65 strikes (71%)
Home Runs: Brooks Lee (2), Trevor Larnach (1)
Top 3 WPA (via FanGraphs): Larnach (0.17), Josh Bell (0.12), Lee (0.11)
Win Probability Chart (via BaseballSavant) 
Joe Ryan looked to lead the Twins back into their winning ways against the suddenly red-hot bats of the Toronto Blue Jays. Standing in their way was yet another lefty, this time Eric Lauer who has started and opened in his two appearances thus far in 2026. With Royce Lewis again on the shelf, Ryan Kreidler made his Minnesota debut at third base, and Andrew Morris and his passport also made the trip up to Canada to replace the injured Cody Laweryson.
Ryan Rocked in the First, but Keeps on Slinging
The Blue Jays started Saturday’s game the way they finished Friday’s, by ripping the cover off of the ball. Ryan walked the leadoff man George Springer, then got ahead of Daulton Varsho 1-2 before Varsho took a high fastball yard for an early 2-0 Blue Jay lead. Visions of Joe’s Kansas City start began to emerge, but the ace of the Twins staff dug in and took charge from there. Ryan only allowed two more baserunners through six innings on 79 total pitches.
Lauer Starts Strong, but Gives Up the Ghost in the Third
Lauer cruised through the Twins lineup through the first two innings, surrendering only a two-out walk in the second. His day began to unravel when the much-maligned but recently encouraging Brooks Lee stepped to the plate to lead off the top of the third. Lee pulled an 0-1 center-cut fastball to the seats in left for his second home run in as many days, and to put the Twins on the board.
After Kreidler grounded out in his first Twin at-bat, Byron Buxton kept the rally going with a swinging bunt, and he advanced to second on a single from Austin Martin. Luke Keaschall worked a walk on a full count, and Ryan Jeffers didn’t have to work to walk when four straight pitches missed the zone to tie the game at 2-2. Josh Bell found himself right where the Twins want him with the bases loaded and a chance to punish left-handed pitching. While Bell didn’t destroy the ball, the results sure punished Lauer and the Blue Jays as Varsho couldn’t reach is high fly ball to mid-center and then he wished that he hadn’t gotten as close as he did!
With the Twins now in the lead at 4-2, Trevor Larnach looked to reward his skipper for putting him in the lineup against a lefty. Trevor likes 90 mph center cut fastballs no matter who throws them. Consider us all rewarded.
Finishing it Off
Kreidler wasn’t able to collect his first hit as a Twin, but he sure got his first web gem. As Ryan was attempting to complete the seventh, Nathan Lukes crushed a ball into the hole at short. Brand new third baseman Kreidler said, “I play here now.”
After Ryan collected his congratulatory hugs in the dugout after dominating the Blue Jays through the seventh, the Twins turned to a bullpen that more than struggled on Friday night. Kody Funderburk got the first call out of the bullpen, and he allowed an Ernie Clement single and an Andres Gimenez walk to put runners at first and second with nobody out. Three batters and some teeth gnashing by Twins fans later, Toronto returned to their dugout without scoring a run and the game remained squarely in Minnesota’s hands at 7-2.
Cole Sands came in for the ninth and slammed the door shut. Unfortunately, Jesus Sanchez didn’t get the memo, as he took Sands deep for a two-run blast to inch the home team closer at 7-4. That was as close as they would come, as Sands took down the next three Blue Jays, and the visiting squad leveled the series at one game apiece!
What’s Next?
The Twins look to take their first road series of the season when they tackle Toronto in a Sunday matinee. Twins righty Taj Bradley (2-0, 1.08 ERA) looks to continue his blazing start to the season. The Blue Jays counter with veteran Hall of Famer-in waiting, righty Max Scherzer (1-1, 3.38 ERA). First pitch is scheduled for 12:37pm CDT.
Postgame Interviews!
Bullpen Usage Spreadsheet
TUE
WED
THU
FRI
SAT
TOT
Banda
0
21
0
36
0
57
Sands
12
9
0
0
22
43
Rogers
12
0
0
30
0
42
Funderburk
0
20
0
0
17
37
Topa
14
10
0
12
0
36
Acton
0
0
35
0
0
35
Orze
19
0
14
0
0
33
Morris
0
0
0
0
0
0