Try not to pay too much attention to the aesthetics. Just know the Minnesota Twins did what they were supposed to this weekend.Courtesy of an 11-8 victory over the Athletics on Sunday, the Twins won another series and gained ground on several teams in the American League wild-card race.Ryan Jeffers, Kody Clemens and Ryan Kreidler each finished with three hits, and the Twins produced 13 overall as they moved within a game of Cleveland for the final wild-card spot. The Twins also moved a game ahead of Houston.The Twins are 9-2-1 in their last 12 series and enter Monday’s off day with a 53-54 record. With the trade deadline now a week away, the Twins also remain 3 1/2 games behind Chicago in the AL Central.The Twins need to keep collecting wins to convince the team’s front office to add before the Aug. 3 deadline. After stumbling in Friday’s series opener, a 2-0 loss, the Twins did what was expected of them and handled a lesser team at home.The Twins eked out a two-run win Saturday. On Sunday, they jumped out to an early seven-run lead before holding off a late charge by the Athletics.
Inside the park homer for Kody!!!! pic.twitter.com/jyBwk5M6i8
— Minnesota Twins (@Twins) July 26, 2026Working on a pitch count, Connor Prielipp was outstanding and efficient, pitching into the sixth inning after being activated off the 15-day injured list earlier in the day. Prielipp relied heavily on fastballs to limit the Athletics to a run in 5 2/3 innings while striking out five batters.Prielipp’s pitch velocities were mostly above his season averages, and he generated nine swings and misses in 72 pitches.The offense supported Prielipp early and often. Clemens hit the first of his two triples to bring in a run in the first inning and scored on a throwing error to make it 3-0. An inning later, Jeffers singled in a pair to put the Twins ahead by six.
