Early Pitching Duel Sets the Tone
The night at Target Field began as a classic pitcher’s duel. Minnesota’s Taj Bradley was masterful, limiting San Diego to one run and a solitary hit through five innings. Meanwhile, the Twins’ offense stayed in check, thanks to Bradley’s command and a well‑executed defensive plan.
By the fifth inning, Byron Buxton broke the stalemate with a two‑run blast off Nick Pivetta, pushing the Twins ahead 3‑1. The homer marked Buxton’s 28th of the season, tying his career best, and came hot on the heels of his entry into the coveted 20‑homers‑20‑steals club.
Padres Rally: Errors, Timely Hitting and a Seven‑Run Explosion
The turning point arrived in the sixth. Luis Arraez rolled a grounder to shortstop Brooks Lee, who bobbled the ball for an error. The misplay opened the door, and San Diego seized the moment with a pair of clutch hits that tied the game at 3‑3.
What followed in the seventh was nothing short of a fireworks display. Mick Abel, a recent deadline‑day acquisition, allowed four straight singles before being pulled. The Padres pounded the Twins’ bullpen, racking up seven runs in the frame. The culmination came when Elías Díaz launched his second home run of the night, cementing a 10‑3 lead.
Manny Machado contributed a key RBI single during the surge, pushing him past the 1,000‑hit milestone with the Padres franchise. The veteran’s consistency was on full display as he added two hits overall.
Ramón Laureano capped the offensive onslaught with a two‑run homer in the eighth, his 22nd of the season, stretching the margin to 12‑3.
On the mound, Adrian Morejon earned the win by delivering a scoreless sixth, bridging the gap between the starter and the late‑inning relievers. For Minnesota, Mick Abel took the loss, and the bullpen’s inability to halt the Padres’ momentum nullified Bradley’s solid start.
The victory was a timely boost for San Diego’s postseason chase. The Padres remained two games behind the Dodgers for the NL West lead and sat two games back of the Cubs for the top wild‑card spot, keeping their hopes very much alive as the series heads into its final game.
- Key performances: Elías Díaz (2 HR), Manny Machado (1,000 hits), Ramón Laureano (2‑run HR)
- Twins’ notable effort: Byron Buxton’s 28th HR, James Outman and Trevor Larnach each with two hits
- Pitching highlights: Taj Bradley’s 5‑inning shutout start, Adrian Morejon’s relief win
The series finale will see Minnesota’s Joe Ryan take the mound, while San Diego has yet to announce its starter for the decisive game at Target Field.
