​Angels 4, Twins 3
Zebby Matthews allowed four runs over six innings, permitting two runs in both the fourth and fifth frames after a strong start that saw three straight scoreless innings to open the game. In the fourth, he yielded a leadoff homer to Vaughn Grissom, followed by a double from Jorge Soler. Soler would later come home on a balk, giving the Twins a foothold in the scoring column. The next inning, the Angels orchestrated a rally with four consecutive hits, aided by a sacrifice fly, pushing the lead to 4-1.
The Twins had struck first, tallying in the opening inning on a pair of doubles by Trevor Larnach and Josh Bell. They added another pair of runs in the sixth, trimming the deficit to a single run. Bell, who had previously doubled, scored on a Brooks Lee double. Royce Lewis also crossed home on an Austin Martin groundout after singling to keep Minnesota within striking distance.
The game ultimately boiled down to the final inning. Minnesota fought to the end as Larnach doubled with one out to bring the winning run to the plate, but Kody Clemens’ line drive was snagged by a leaping Nolan Schanuel at first base, ending the threat and preserving the Angels’ win.
On the mound, Joe Ryan (6-5, 2.85 ERA) will take the ball for the Angels in the second game of the series on Saturday. Because he is scheduled to start, Ryan would be eligible to pitch in Tuesday’s All-Star Game. He is set to face Twins right-hander Ryan Johnson (1-4, 6.99 ERA). In the lead-up to the game, the Twins will hold a pregame ceremony to induct longtime broadcaster Dick Bremer into the team Hall of Fame.
Meanwhile, the Saints managed only five hits and suffered another defeat at Iowa, while Minnesota’s roster continues to plot out the rest of the season. The Twins are also navigating the question of draft strategy, as their current situation would place them in position to secure a high pick in the upcoming draft, a factor that figures to influence organizational decisions in the weeks ahead.
In other notes, Bailey Ober of Minnesota returned from the injured list after more than a month away, providing a potential boost to the rotation. Although the Twins fell short of a sweep in this series, the victory in the series against Cleveland sets up intriguing developments for the next stretch of games, with several key decisions looming for improved performance and potential changes aimed at positioning the team for a stronger stretch run. The ongoing narrative is as much about grit and clutch moments as it is about the strategic moves that could influence the franchise’s prospects in the near term.