Phillies 7, Twins 5: A grand failure

I didn’t see much of today’s action, what with my five year old nephew demanding some birthday attention this afternoon. But after checking in on Gameday early-on and seeing a big lead I thought “good—at least we’ll salvage one game from this series”. Alas, there was no more joy in Mudville to be found as Dean Kremer collapsed and the bullpen squandered the rest of the lead.

One would be hard-pressed to draw up a better beginning to this contest. After a Trevor Larnach walk and singles from Josh Bell & Kody Clemens, Brooks Lee launched one 353 ft and beyond the rim for a grand slam! 4-0 MIN.

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A Grand time (for now). (Photo by Michael Turner/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

Not content with just the four-bagger, B3 saw Clemens crank his 21st tater of the season. 5-0 MIN.

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Klobberin’ Kody (Photo by Michael Turner/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

Through the first five innings, Twins SP Dean Kremer was really sharp. The 6th? A disaster. BB—1B—BB started the frame, then a Luis Arraez ground-out got the Phillies on the board. The third Kremer offering to Alec Bohm: a three-run home run. 5-4 MIN.

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Bohm goes boom. (Photo by Matt Krohn/Getty Images)

Kody Funderburk & A.J. Minter would hold Philly scoreless for the rest of the 6th & 7th, but the Twins had by then apparently gone into “no more offense” mode (a common occurrence these days). Alas, the Fightin’s did not respond in kind.

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Fine through five—then disaster. (Photo by Matt Krohn/Getty Images)

In T8, RP Andrew Morris had an exceedingly-rare-and-at-the-worst-possible-time meltdown: 1 IP, 4 H, 1 BB, 3 ER. RBI knocks from Bohm (again) and Bryan De La Cruz were the culprits this time. 7-5 PHI.

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Arraez quests for another batting crown. (Photo by Michael Turner/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

As per legal obligations this 2026 season, the Twins staged a bit of a 9th inning rally. But after a Victor Caratini walk and Kaelen Culpepper single, Phils closer Jhoan Duran buckled down to whiff Ryan Jeffers and Byron Buxton—both waving—to bunny-hop off the mound victorious like he did so many times “on our side”.

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(Photo by Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

To quote Dr. Suess: “We cannot beat them here (Target Field) or there (Field of Dreams), we cannot beat them anywhere”. The Twins are swept by the Phillies and continue to sink once again to the fringes of both the AL Central and Wild Card races.

• Me: For having a birthday party distract from what would have been a “grumbling to myself in the recliner” sort of loss.

Me: For having a birthday party distract from what would have been a “grumbling to myself in the recliner” sort of loss.

• Morris: As much as I hate to give the young man the blame today, his inning was what turned the tide in the wrong direction.

Morris: As much as I hate to give the young man the blame today, his inning was what turned the tide in the wrong direction.

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I’m sure he’ll bounce back, but this one was tough. (Photo by Matt Krohn/Getty Images)

• From one NL East team to another, the Twins stay home for three games with the division-leading Atlanta Braves (Mon. night, Tues. night, Wed. afternoon).

From one NL East team to another, the Twins stay home for three games with the division-leading Atlanta Braves (Mon. night, Tues. night, Wed. afternoon).