Latest News

Twins win series vs. Nats despite Byron Buxton's uncertainty

The Minnesota Twins' most crucial moment on Sunday could happen before the first pitch.

The Twins will be playing the Washington Nationals at Minneapolis's Target Field on Sunday, and All-Star outfielder Byron Buxton will undergo tests on his injured left leg.

Buxton, 31, left the game on Saturday due to a left-side ache. Washington's 9-3 victory over the Twins, which evened the three-game Series, added insult to injury.

Buxton may not be on the Twins' roster for the rubber game. Minnesota wants to win the series, regardless of how it happens. It has lost its first two after the All Star break.

Rocco Balidelli, the Twins' manager, said that the series finale is a chance to make a new start.

Baldelli stated, "Not the game that we had planned to play." "Friday's game was brilliant, but then on Saturday we played this way." I would like to win (the series) on Sunday and go back to playing baseball.

The list may be incomplete.

Buxton left the game on Saturday after experiencing pain. The team is hoping that the injury won't be serious. However, Buxton has had a history of injuries in his career.

He has a.282 batting average, 23 home runs, 59 RBIs, and 17 steals.

Baldelli stated, "He seemed to be in a good mood." "I spoke to him during his game and I went upstairs to check up on him. ...

We'll just get him imaged on Sunday morning to see how we are doing. He felt the pain more when he was running. You can feel a soreness on your side, but you won't feel as much when you're swinging or running. I won't speculate further. "We're going Sunday to have him examined."

Jake Irvin, the Nationals' right-hander (7-5 with a 4.81 ERA), will face the team he grew to love. Irvin, who was born in Bloomington, Minn. and attended Jefferson High School, then the Oklahoma Sooners, is the pitcher for the Nationals.

Irvin has a career record of 0-1 and a 2.84 ERA against the Twins. This was a 3-2 Minnesota victory on May 22, 2024. It was a Nationals home game, and it will be his first time pitching in Minnesota.

Irvin stated, "It's everything." It's important to keep everything in perspective. What got me to this point: Growing up as a Twins Fan, falling in Love with the Twins, and how much they meant in developing my love for baseball.

"I get to see many of my high school friends. I got to play with them when I was younger. I'm able to spend time with my family and parents, as well as everyone who has supported me on my journey. "It's super, super exciting to see it all come together."

The Twins are not announcing a starter for Sunday's game and will instead use a bullpen. Travis Adams, a rookie right-hander with a 6.50 ERA and a 1-0 record in three relief appearances, is likely to see a lot of action.

Adams has allowed just 12 hits in nine innings. He also walked only one batter and struck out six. He has never faced the Nationals.

Field Level Media

(source: Reuters)