The Twins vs Angels matchup delivered another dramatic extra-inning finish Thursday night, with the Los Angeles Angels defeating the Minnesota Twins 5-4 in Anaheim.
The Minnesota Twins appeared to be on the verge of a 3-1 loss before rookie Walker Jenkins came through with a game-tying two-run home run in the ninth inning. Minnesota then briefly took the lead in the 10th, but the Angels answered with two runs in the bottom half to complete the comeback.
Walker Jenkins Breaks Out of Slump
Jenkins entered the Angels game struggling at the plate, carrying an .089 batting average through his first 16 major league games. The 21-year-old rookie had gone 4-for-45 since being promoted from Triple-A St. Paul.
His biggest moment came in the ninth inning.
With two outs and Victor Caratini keeping the inning alive with a single, Jenkins sent a 101-mph pitch from Angels closer Ben Joyce over the center-field wall. The two-run homer tied the game at 3-3 and gave the Twins new life.
It was particularly notable because Joyce had not allowed a home run all season.
Jenkins finished the game 3-for-4 with two runs scored and two RBI, providing one of the brightest moments of the night for Minnesota.
Angels Walk It Off in the 10th
The Twins took a 4-3 advantage in the top of the 10th when Brooks Lee delivered an RBI single. Minnesota had an opportunity to add insurance but could not extend its lead.
The Angels then rallied in the bottom half.
Mike Trout delivered an RBI single off Yoendrys Gómez to tie the score at 4-4. Wade Meckler followed with a winning RBI single against Kody Funderburk, giving the Angels a 5-4 victory.
The result was another extra-inning heartbreak for Minnesota, which had defeated the New York Yankees 5-4 in 13 innings one night earlier.
Strong Starts From Ureña and Bradley
Angels starter Walbert Ureña was outstanding early in the game. The right-hander allowed four hits while striking out a career-high nine batters and issuing no walks over seven scoreless innings. His ERA dropped to 2.74.
Twins starter Taj Bradley also delivered a strong overall performance despite a difficult first inning. Bradley surrendered three runs and five hits across seven innings while striking out nine and walking one.
All three of his runs came during the first inning, continuing his recent struggles with early-game run prevention. However, he settled down and kept Minnesota within striking distance.
Minnesota’s Late Rally Falls Short
The Minnesota Twins showed resilience throughout the night, especially after trailing for much of the game. Jenkins’ ninth-inning homer changed the momentum before Lee’s RBI single temporarily put Minnesota ahead.
However, the Angels had the final answer.
Twins manager Derek Shelton praised his team’s ability to continue competing throughout the game, while also highlighting Jenkins’ approach despite his difficult start in the majors.
Jenkins’ performance offered Minnesota an encouraging development even though the team ultimately suffered another 5-4 defeat.
What’s Next for the Twins?
The Twins entered the game at 71-82, and the loss continued a difficult stretch late in the season. Minnesota will look to bounce back in the next meeting with the Angels.
Connor Prielipp was scheduled to start for the Twins, with a 5-7 record and 5.24 ERA. The Angels were set to counter with right-hander Grayson Rodriguez, who entered with a 4-7 record and 6.10 ERA.
For Minnesota, the biggest takeaway from the latest Twins vs Angels matchup may be Jenkins’ breakthrough. After a challenging introduction to the majors, his three-hit performance and game-tying home run provided a glimpse of the impact the young outfielder could eventually make.
The Angels ultimately claimed the victory, but the late-night battle showed why the Twins vs Angels series remains capable of producing dramatic finishes.
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