Twins' Matthews, Bell Shine in 9-6 Win Over Athletics
Source: ABC30 Fresno Sports. Casualplayhub News adds summary, context, and editorial framing while linking back to the original report.
The Minnesota Twins halted a three-game slide with a hard-fought 9-6 victory over the Oakland Athletics on Monday night, powered by a strong start from Zebby Matthews and a productive night from Josh Bell at the plate. Playing at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento, the Twins saw contributions up and down the lineup, with Byron Buxton reaching base four times and rookie Kaelen Culpepper registering his first four-hit game in the majors.
Matthews, the right-hander who has been on a roll in August, worked seven efficient innings. He scattered six hits, struck out seven, and issued only one walk. The lone run against him came in the third on an RBI single by Lawrence Butler, but Matthews kept the Athletics at bay the rest of the way. He improved to 8-8 and has now won all four of his starts this month, a welcome turnaround for a pitcher who had struggled earlier in the season.
The Twins offense gave Matthews early support. The game turned on a critical moment in the first inning. Buxton appeared to strike out on a full-count pitch, but the Twins challenged the call, arguing the ball was outside. The replay confirmed their view, and Buxton took first base. That opened the door for Bell's RBI double off the top of the wall in left-center field, plating Buxton for a 1-0 lead. Bell added a run-scoring groundout in the second to make it 2-0.
Minnesota broke the game open in the sixth. Luke Keaschall laced a two-run double, and Bell followed with a sacrifice fly to the wall in left field, pushing the lead to 7-1. Kody Clemens contributed RBI singles in the fifth and eighth innings, driving in Buxton both times. Culpepper singled home Bell in the eighth for the Twins' final run.
The Athletics mounted a late comeback against the Twins bullpen. Tommy Nance pitched a clean eighth, but the ninth proved dicey. Yoendrys Gomez entered and immediately surrendered a two-run double to Jeff McNeil. Zack Gelof and Lawrence Butler then delivered back-to-back RBI doubles, cutting the deficit to 9-6. With the tying run at the plate, Andrew Morris was summoned and got Tommy White to line out to first base, earning his fourth save of the season.
For the Athletics, Jeffrey Springs endured another tough outing. The left-hander allowed four runs on seven hits and two walks over 4 2/3 innings, falling to 3-12. He had opened the season with three straight wins in April but has not won since, a stretch of 21 starts without a victory. The Athletics' bullpen, which had been overworked in recent days, could not contain the Twins' rally in the eighth, and the ninth-inning near-comeback was too little, too late.
Rookie Kaelen Culpepper's four-hit performance was a bright spot for the Twins. Playing in his 14th major league game, the young infielder showed patience and power, contributing to the team's 12-hit attack. Ryan Kreidler also went deep for Minnesota, adding a home run to the tally. The victory was crucial for the Twins, who had lost three in a row and needed to regain momentum in a tight division race. Matthews' consistency on the mound has been a key factor in their recent success. The bullpen, despite the ninth-inning drama, managed to close out the win.
Looking ahead, the Twins send right-hander Taj Bradley (9-5, 3.90 ERA) to the mound on Tuesday, while the Athletics counter with lefty Gage Jump (5-8, 4.83 ERA).
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Zebby Matthews' performance on Monday night underscores a remarkable turnaround. The right-hander entered August with a losing record, but his four consecutive wins have given the Twins a reliable arm in the middle of the rotation. His ability to go deep into the game — seven innings with only one run — allowed the bullpen to manage the later innings, even if the ninth proved tense. For a team that has leaned heavily on its starters, Matthews' resurgence is a welcome development. Josh Bell continues to be a steady presence in the middle of the lineup. His three RBIs came in different situations: a double, a groundout, and a sacrifice fly, demonstrating versatility. The Twins have often struggled to produce consistent run support, but Bell's ability to drive in runs from the cleanup spot has been a stabilizing force. The Twins' offense, often reliant on power, showed a balanced attack against the Athletics. Byron Buxton's on-base ability (three hits and a walk) set the table, while rookie Kaelen Culpepper's four-hit game suggests the team's depth is growing. Culpepper, in just his 14th game, displayed the kind of patience and contact skills that could make him a long-term contributor. Ryan Kreidler's home run added another layer to the lineup's potency. On the other side, the Athletics face persistent questions about their starting pitching. Jeffrey Springs' early-season success has evaporated; he has not recorded a win in 21 starts since April. His command has wavered, and the Twins took advantage of his mistakes. The Athletics' bullpen, which has been overworked, could not contain the Twins' rally in the eighth, and the ninth-inning near-comeback was too little, too late. The game also highlighted the impact of replay reviews. Buxton's successful challenge in the first inning changed the trajectory of the inning and the game. In a close contest, such moments can be decisive, and the Twins capitalized. Looking ahead, the Twins' schedule offers opportunities to build momentum. Taj Bradley takes the mound on Tuesday, and his strong record (9-5) suggests he can continue the team's recent pitching success. The Athletics, meanwhile, need to find a way to reignite Springs and stabilize their rotation. The Twins' victory was not without its warts — the bullpen nearly squandered a comfortable lead — but the ability to hold on for the win matters more than style points. In a division race where every game counts, finding ways to win when the bullpen struggles is a sign of resilience. Ultimately, this game was a microcosm of both teams' seasons. The Twins have the talent to compete but need consistency from their pitchers and timely hitting. The Athletics have flashes of promise but lack the depth to sustain success. Monday night's result was a fair reflection of where each team stands.