Twins’ winning – Monday’s 3-1 loss to the White Sox ended the Twins’ four-game winning streak. Anthony Kay held Minnesota to a low-scoring night, while Simeon Woods Richardson delivered two shutout relief innings and manager Derek Shelton offered a careful update on Byron Buxt
CHICAGO — The Twins’ four-game winning streak ended on a night their offense looked sleepy, a 3-1 loss to the White Sox that followed Anthony Kay stifling Minnesota’s bats.
Minnesota’s first loss of their three-city road trip didn’t come with drama at the plate so much as a steady clamp-down. The scoreline told the story early, and the bigger question afterward was what, exactly, changed from one week of momentum to a stalled, quiet offense.
One of the brightest spots was Simeon Woods Richardson, who was sharp in relief. He pitched two shutout innings, allowing one hit, one walk, and one strikeout. His fastball velocity sat at 94.1 mph versus a 92.6 average on the year. even though he threw very few fastballs—only seven out of his 35 pitches. The pitch mix stood out: he threw only eight splitters. then leaned heavily on his breaking balls. with 20 of his 35 pitches coming as either curves or sliders.
It added up to a strong follow-up outing. This was his second consecutive successful outing after being removed from the rotation following an extended slump. Across that span. he’s only pitched three innings. including part of an ill-timed rain delay that affected his first relief outing. but he has yet to allow a run.
Manager Derek Shelton pointed to the way Woods Richardson attacked hitters.
“It’s good,” Shelton said. “The other day against Houston, obviously we got the weather and he only got one inning. But today I thought he really mixed his pitches well. He was ahead in the count and didn’t give up a lot of hard contact. That was an encouraging sign.”
The Twins have leaned on bullpen innings recently, too. It marked the fifth time in the last six games that the Twins have had a reliever go at least two full innings.
For Byron Buxton, the night carried a different kind of spotlight. Since returning from right hip soreness last week. Buxton has made only one start in the outfield. with four of his last five starts coming as designated hitter. He’s been effective in that role. collecting a walk and a double on Monday while posting a .286/.348/.571 slash line in that span.
Shelton acknowledged the movement on the basepaths, noting Buxton took second on a grounder that would’ve been a single for most players on Monday. But the club still appears to be managing the workload with care.
“I think we’ll kind of monitor it,” Shelton said. “I think the one thing we know with Buck is we have to monitor his body and we will continue to do that. And as long as he is in our lineup one way or another and we have to kind of mix and match. the one thing — and we’ve done this purposefully — our club has versatility to be able to protect if the fact if he’s just going to DH.”.
When asked whether the caution was more preventative or if Buxton is still dealing with the hip issue, Shelton said:
“It’s probably a combination of preventative and then me just making the decision of what I feel is best for our team.”
Then there was Zebby Matthews, who began the game in a rough spot. He allowed homers in each of the first two innings, and the outcome could’ve tightened quickly. Instead. he settled in and did the one thing that had been inconsistent during parts of his first two Major League seasons: he provided innings.
Matthews lasted six full innings and likely would’ve started the seventh after just 88 pitches. After the second inning, he allowed only one baserunner—a single. In each of his three starts since being recalled. he’s lasted at least six innings. which is the longest such streak of his career. Across those three starts, he has totaled 19 innings.
Efficiency has also improved. Matthews previously struggled with it, but he’s averaged 14.3 pitches per inning in the Majors this year.
Luke Keaschall’s ninth-inning single was the hardest-hit ball by any team in the game at 107.2 mph off the bat.
Beyond the box score, the Twins’ week of roster motion continues to ripple. Reliever Luis García, who was designated for assignment last week, has elected free agency after he went unclaimed on waivers.
In the organization’s pipeline, right-hander Riley Quick returned to the mound Sunday for High-A Cedar Rapids after missing time with a thumb issue. Quick is the organization’s No. 11 prospect according to MLB Pipeline.
Triple-A news, too: Royce Lewis homered again for St. Paul on Sunday, giving him four homers in four games since he was optioned on Wednesday. Including a Minor League rehabilitation assignment, Lewis has six homers in six games for St. Paul this year.
Even as Monday ended their streak, it still left a clear picture of what the Twins are trying to balance right now: bullpen stability, careful management of key players’ bodies, and pitchers—like Woods Richardson and Matthews—who can keep the game within reach even when the offense doesn’t explode.
Minnesota Twins White Sox Anthony Kay Anthony Kay stifled Twins Simeon Woods Richardson Derek Shelton Byron Buxton Zebby Matthews Luis García free agency Riley Quick return Royce Lewis homer MLB Pipeline