Twins Rally Late to Sweep Braves in Three-Game Series
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MINNEAPOLIS — The Minnesota Twins delivered a statement series against one of baseball’s elite teams, sweeping the Atlanta Braves with a 6-4 win Wednesday afternoon at Target Field. The victory capped a three-game set that showcased the Twins’ resilience, timely hitting, and a bullpen that held firm under pressure.
The decisive moment arrived in the seventh inning. With one out, Josh Bell lashed a hit to center field and turned it into a hustle double, a play that manager Derek Shelton later highlighted as a catalyst. Kody Clemens followed with a sharp single to center, scoring Bell and giving the Twins a 5-4 lead. After an intentional walk to pinch hitter Ryan Jeffers, Brooks Lee lined a single to left, bringing Clemens home for an insurance run.
“I think the first thing you point out is Josh Bell and how big he was,” Shelton said. “The hustle double today, you know, be a catalyst. But overall, everybody on our team contributed to this win.”
Left-handed reliever A.J. Minter, acquired in a July 31 trade with the New York Mets, recorded two outs in the seventh to earn the win. Closer Yoendrys Gomez, pitching for the third consecutive day, worked a perfect ninth inning for his 20th save of the season.
Twins starter Taj Bradley turned in a strong bounce-back performance. After being touched for five runs in four innings at last week’s Field of Dreams game in Iowa, Bradley allowed just two hits and struck out seven Braves over five scoreless innings. He needed only nine pitches to get through the first inning, showcasing command and poise. The lone blemish came in the fifth when he issued walks to the bottom two batters in Atlanta’s order, then gave up a game-tying single to Ronald Acuña Jr.
Atlanta reliever Victor Mederos took the loss, while Braves starter A.J. Smith-Shawver left after four innings.
Minnesota struck first in the third inning. Victor Caratini walked, Kaelen Culpepper singled, and Luke Keaschall bunted for a hit, loading the bases. Byron Buxton then drove in a run with a fielder’s choice, giving the Twins a 1-0 lead. They threatened again in the fourth when Royce Lewis singled and advanced to third on a stolen base and an error, but he was stranded.
Culpepper, playing in just his 10th major league game, went 3-for-4 with a run scored. Clemens praised the rookie infielder’s poise. “He does look comfortable. He’s put some good swings on the ball,” Clemens said. “He’s faced some really good pitchers, and he’s had some great at-bats off them, so that’s awesome to see. He looks great.”
After Atlanta tied the game in the fifth, the Twins answered immediately. Culpepper and Keaschall hit back-to-back singles, followed by walks to Buxton and Bell that pushed a run across. For Bell, the walk extended his on-base streak to a career-best 22 games. “It’s just baseball. I feel like the on-base streak is kind of a weird one,” Bell said. “I feel like the hit streak is one thing, but on-base, it’s like, whatever. Y’all can talk about it, but I’m just happy to get the win at the end of the day.”
After Atlanta replaced Smith-Shawver with lefty Dylan Dodd, Clemens doubled off the left-center wall to score two more. Dodd then got a flyout from Royce Lewis and struck out Trevor Larnach to strand two runners.
Minnesota reliever Kody Funderburk entered the sixth with a 4-1 lead but surrendered three consecutive singles and two runs, recording only one out before being pulled for Tommy Nance. After pinch hitter Mauricio Dubon singled, Nance was called for a balk, scoring Lane Thomas from third to tie the game at 4-4.
In the eighth, with a two-run lead, Twins righty Jeff Hoffman allowed a one-out double but struck out the other three Braves he faced. The inning ended with a disputed checked-swing strikeout by Dubon, who threw his helmet in frustration. Braves manager Walt Weiss was ejected for arguing the call.
The Twins last swept a three-game series with Atlanta on June 12-14, 2007, at the since-razed Metrodome. That venue also hosted Minnesota’s four wins over the Braves in the 1991 World Series. The sweep underscores the Twins’ growing confidence as they face a stretch of tough opponents.
Article commentary
The Minnesota Twins’ sweep of the Atlanta Braves is more than just a feel-good series win. It reflects a team that is finding its identity at the right moment: resilient at the plate, opportunistic with runners in scoring position, and increasingly reliable in high-leverage bullpen situations. While the Braves, the National League East leaders, boast a deeper lineup and a more established pitching staff, the Twins exposed vulnerabilities that could become significant as the season progresses. First, the Twins’ ability to manufacture runs without relying on the long ball was striking. In an era where home runs dominate, the team executed a series of station-to-station rallies: walks, bunts, hustle doubles, and singles that came in clusters. Josh Bell’s extended on-base streak — now 22 games — is a testament to his disciplined approach and patience. His willingness to take a walk in a key situation, rather than pressing for a hit, reflects a mature offensive philosophy. Second, the bullpen’s performance, though uneven, showed depth. A.J. Minter, acquired at the trade deadline, has quickly settled into a high-leverage role. His two outs in the seventh were critical in preserving the lead. Yoendrys Gomez, now with 20 saves, is demonstrating the kind of durability that defined elite closers of the past: pitching on three consecutive days and still retiring the side in order. However, the sixth inning collapse by Kody Funderburk serves as a reminder that consistency remains a concern. The bullpen’s ability to hold leads will be tested in the coming weeks, especially against divisional opponents. From the Braves’ perspective, the series exposed a lack of timely hitting and defensive lapses. Atlanta’s pitching staff, usually a strength, allowed nine walks over the course of the series and struggled to execute in high-leverage counts. The late-game ejection of manager Walt Weiss after a disputed checked-swing call suggests frustration is mounting within the clubhouse. The Braves will need to regroup quickly, as any prolonged slump could jeopardize their lead in the division. Rookie infielder Kaelen Culpepper’s emergence is a bright spot for Minnesota. Going 3-for-4 in just his 10th major league game, he demonstrated the composure that the front office hoped for when he was promoted. His comfort at the plate, especially against quality pitching, bodes well for the Twins’ future. If he can maintain this level of production, he could become a fixture in the lineup. Finally, the sweep carries historical weight. The Twins last swept a three-game series from Atlanta in 2007, a year that ultimately saw the Braves miss the playoffs. While it’s too early to draw parallels, the psychological boost of defeating a powerhouse team cannot be overstated. The Twins have shown they can compete with the best, and that confidence could be the catalyst for a strong second half. Objective analysis suggests that while the Twins’ performance was impressive, it was not flawless. The bullpen’s volatility, the occasional lack of run support for starters, and the reliance on young players with limited experience are all potential pitfalls. Still, the sweep serves as a statement: the Twins are not merely a team to watch — they are a team that can win in multiple ways. For Atlanta, the series is a wake-up call, a reminder that even the best teams can be beaten by a determined, well-executed opponent.