MINNEAPOLIS — Following another tumultuous victory that featured multiple comebacks from his team, Minnesota Twins manager Derek Shelton didn’t hesitate to identify Taj Bradley as the story of Sunday’s 5-4 win over the St. Louis Cardinals.Bradley wasn’t perfect in the game, one that clinched the Twins’ first series victory since June 3. But after three consecutive rough starts, the starter demonstrated for 6 2/3 innings that he’s breaking out of his slump.Attacking the zone how he wanted and working with improved command, Bradley looked more like the pitcher who posted a 2.77 ERA over his first nine starts compared to the one who has struggled since returning from the injured list on May 23.“You saw the smile back, you saw the swagger, you saw him bouncing off the mound,” Shelton said. “That’s what we need. We need that youthful enthusiasm.”Before injuries began to crush the Twins’ depth, starting pitching was the team’s strong suit. Even with Pablo López down for the season, the starters delivered.The Twins even managed to absorb the loss of Mick Abel, who’s on the mend, but then Bradley went down in early May. After Bradley returned from a 15-day stint on the injured list, the Twins lost Kendry Rojas, who had filled a gaping void by pitching three electric innings every three to four days. Then Bailey Ober got hurt.On top of the injuries, Bradley, Connor Prielipp and Zebby Matthews began to struggle, and Twins starting pitchers faltered more often than not. Entering Sunday, the team’s starters were 3-9 with a 6.92 ERA in 19 games dating back to May 25.While Bradley made several mistakes Sunday, allowing four earned runs in 6 2/3 innings, it’s the first time he’s been able to consistently compete in an outing since May 23 at Boston.“There was some light at the end of the tunnel I’d been looking for these past three outings,” Bradley said. “Just attacking hitters and knowing I’m getting strike one early, and then finishing them off when I can. I was just happy. I was in the zone. My early and ahead (pitches), when I go back and look in the meeting, it’s going to be something to be smiling about.”Bradley wasn’t smiling after a dreadful performance Tuesday in Detroit. He looked shell-shocked after struggling with his command on a hot and humid night. He discussed breathing techniques and didn’t have answers.But Bradley also refused to make excuses, even though he, like every other pitcher in that game, struggled to grip the ball. Instead, Bradley insisted he needed to be better and would try to figure it out during the week.“I will say that for him,” Shelton said Sunday morning. “That night, we saw both (starters) have trouble with their split. Both guys couldn’t grip with their split. I do think there was some condition-related issues there. On the flip side of it, I love the fact he’s accountable and not blaming other things.”Over 101 pitches on Sunday, Bradley’s secondary pitch velocities all increased over his season average. Shelton, who had an inkling this was coming after pitching coach Pete Maki was pleased with Bradley’s midweek bullpen session, described his pitcher’s stuff as “electric.” But an even bigger development is how Bradley carried himself, a plus for a Twins pitching staff in need of a boost.Here are seven other thoughts after the Twins’ win over the Cardinals.1. Bradley was the top story Sunday, but Ryan Kreidler was 1A. The utility man entered the game in the seventh inning and produced a pinch-hit single and scored a run during a game-tying rally before taking over at shortstop. In the eighth, Kreidler followed a two-out Luke Keaschall double with an RBI double to put the Twins ahead 5-4.