Matthews, Bell Power Twins to 9-6 Win Over Athletics
Source: ABC News Sports. Casualplayhub News adds summary, context, and editorial framing while linking back to the original report.
WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- On a balmy Monday evening at Sutter Health Park, the Minnesota Twins leaned on a resurgent pitching performance and timely hitting to end their three-game slide, defeating the Oakland Athletics 9-6. The night belonged to right-hander Zebby Matthews, who has suddenly found his groove in August. Matthews scattered six hits over seven innings, surrendering only a single run while fanning seven and issuing just one walk. The outing lowered his August ERA to a microscopic 1.80, and with the win he improved to 8-8 on the season, sweeping all four of his starts this month.
The Twins' offense wasted little time supporting their starter. In the first inning, Byron Buxton worked a walk from Athletics lefty Jeffrey Springs after successfully challenging a called third strike. Josh Bell then smashed a double off the top of the left-center field wall, scoring Buxton for a 1-0 lead. Bell added a run-scoring groundout in the second inning to push the lead to 2-0. But the Athletics clawed back in the third when Lawrence Butler laced an RBI single to center field, cutting the deficit in half.
Minnesota broke the game open in the sixth. With two outs, Luke Keaschall doubled down the line to drive in two runs, and Bell followed with a sacrifice fly to the left-field wall, making it 7-1. Kody Clemens contributed RBI singles in the fifth and eighth innings, the latter scoring Buxton again. Rookie Kaelen Culpepper, playing in his 14th major league game, collected his fourth hit of the night in the eighth, a sharp single that brought home Bell for the Twins' ninth run. Ryan Kreidler also went deep, adding a solo home run earlier in the contest.
Tommy Nance handled the eighth inning with ease, retiring the side in order. But the ninth inning brought drama. Yoendrys Gómez, on in relief, allowed a two-run double to Jeff McNeil, then back-to-back RBI doubles to Zack Gelof and Lawrence Butler, suddenly pulling the Athletics within 9-6. With the tying run at the plate, Twins manager called on Andrew Morris, who induced Tommy White to line out to first base for his fourth save of the season.
For the Athletics, it was another frustrating loss in a season full of them. Jeffrey Springs (3-12) never found his rhythm, giving up four runs on seven hits and two walks over 4 2/3 innings. The left-hander started the year with three straight wins in April but has not won a game since, a drought now stretching 21 starts. Butler finished with two hits and two RBIs, and McNeil provided a late spark, but the comeback fell short.
Looking ahead, the Twins will send right-hander Taj Bradley (9-5, 3.90 ERA) to the mound Tuesday night, while the Athletics counter with lefty Gage Jump (5-8, 4.83). The series continues as both teams aim to build momentum.
Article commentary
The Minnesota Twins’ 9-6 victory over the Oakland Athletics on Monday night was a microcosm of both teams’ seasons. For the Twins, it showcased the emergence of a pitcher who may be rounding into form at the perfect time. Zebby Matthews, who entered August with a 4-8 record and a 5.12 ERA, has now won all four of his starts this month, posting a 1.80 ERA along the way. The transformation is striking: Matthews is commanding the strike zone better, generating swings and misses with his fastball, and showing improved poise in high-leverage situations. If he can sustain this level of performance, the Twins’ rotation—already featuring Taj Bradley and others—could become a formidable unit for a potential playoff push. The Twins currently sit in the thick of the wild-card race, and every win matters. However, the ninth-inning scare exposed a persistent vulnerability: the bullpen. Yoendrys Gómez, who had been reliable in recent outings, allowed three runs in the ninth, nearly squandering a comfortable lead. The Twins’ relief corps has been a weak spot all season, and while Andrew Morris eventually slammed the door, the near-collapse raises questions about depth heading into September. The team will need to decide whether to rely on internal options or seek external reinforcements, though the trade deadline has passed. For the Athletics, the narrative is one of persistent struggle. Jeffrey Springs’ early-season promise has evaporated completely. After winning three straight starts in April, the left-hander has not tasted victory in 21 consecutive outings, and his ERA has ballooned to 5.80. His command has been erratic, and he struggles to put hitters away when ahead in the count. The Athletics’ rebuild continues to yield young talent like Lawrence Butler and Zack Gelof, but the lack of consistent starting pitching remains a glaring hole. The team’s 51-78 record reflects a roster that often competes but lacks the depth to finish games. From a tactical perspective, the Twins’ ability to manufacture runs with small ball—sacrifice flies, groundouts, and timely singles—was notable. Bell’s approach at the plate, driving in runs in multiple ways, exemplifies the kind of veteran production the team needs. Meanwhile, rookie Kaelen Culpepper’s four-hit game is a promising sign for a franchise that has long invested in its farm system. His ability to hit for contact and find gaps could earn him a regular role. Looking ahead, the series continues with a compelling pitching matchup: Taj Bradley vs. Gage Jump. Bradley has been solid, but his command wavers at times. Jump, a young lefty, has shown flashes but also inconsistency. The outcome could hinge on which bullpen bends less. For the Twins, maintaining momentum is critical; for the Athletics, it’s about building toward the future. Monday’s game offered a glimpse of both teams’ realities—a contender trying to stabilize, and a rebuilding club searching for answers.