Twins Secure 6-3 Win Against Blue Jays, Avoid Series Sweep
In a pivotal fourth inning, Brooks Lee and Christian Vázquez launched back-to-back home runs, propelling the Minnesota Twins to a 6-3 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays on Sunday. This win not only halted a three-game losing streak but also prevented a series sweep by the Blue Jays.
Trailing 3-2, Lee opened the inning against Bowden Francis with his fifth home run of the season. Vázquez quickly followed suit with his second homer, allowing the Twins to regain control of the game.
Joe Ryan (7-2) pitched five innings, surrendering three runs—two earned—and four hits. His performance was crucial in ending the Blue Jays' four-game winning streak. Relief pitchers Brock Stewart, Cole Sands, and Griffin Jax each contributed a scoreless inning, while Jhoan Duran secured his 10th save in 11 opportunities during the ninth.
Toronto initially took the lead in the second inning when Alan Roden doubled in a run. However, Minnesota responded with an RBI groundout from Vázquez and a sacrifice fly from Trevor Larnach, flipping the score to 2-1 in their favor.
The Blue Jays surged ahead again in the third inning, thanks to Alejandro Kirk's RBI single and George Springer's double, making it 3-2. But the Twins answered back decisively in the fifth. After Mason Fluharty recorded the final two outs in the fourth, he exited with two runners on base. Erik Swanson entered but was met with an RBI single from Ty France, extending Minnesota's lead to 5-3. Lee then walked to load the bases before Vázquez struck out looking and Byron Buxton walked, setting the final score.
Francis (2-8) struggled on the mound, allowing four runs on five hits and five walks over 3 1/3 innings. Fluharty also faced challenges, giving up two runs in just one inning of work.
With this victory, Minnesota (35-30) thwarted Toronto's attempt for a sweep at Target Field, a feat they hadn't accomplished against the Twins since 2013.
The Twins' back-to-back home runs marked only the second occurrence this season and their first at home. Notably, Minnesota has issued just 164 walks this season—the fewest in Major League Baseball—compared to Toronto's eight walks in this game.
Looking ahead, the Blue Jays have yet to announce their starting pitcher for the upcoming series against St. Louis, where RHP Andre Pallante (4-3, 4.91) will take the mound for the Cardinals. Meanwhile, the Twins are set to host the Texas Rangers for three games starting Tuesday, with neither team having announced their starters yet.
