The Minnesota Twins unleashed a balanced attack of power hitting and precision pitching on Tuesday night, cruising to a decisive 11-3 victory over the Washington Nationals. Behind a massive three-run home run from Byron Buxton and a commanding performance on the mound from Taj Bradley, Minnesota proved too much for a Washington squad that continues to struggle within the confines of Nationals Park.
Byron Buxton Powers the Minnesota Twins’ Offense
The story of the night for the Minnesota Twins was their ability to strike early and often, but it was Byron Buxton who provided the definitive exclamation point. In the eighth inning, with the Twins already holding a comfortable lead, Buxton launched a towering three-run home run to left field. The blast was Buxton’s 11th of the season and his sixth in just the last eight games, highlighting a sensational power surge for the veteran outfielder.
While Buxton provided the late-inning fireworks, the groundwork for the victory was laid much earlier. After falling behind 1-0 in the first inning, the Twins responded immediately in the second. Brooks Lee, who finished the night 3-for-5, delivered a clutch two-out double down the right-field line to drive in Kody Clemens and Luke Keaschall, giving Minnesota a lead they would never relinquish.
Taj Bradley Dominates in Quality Start
On the mound, Taj Bradley continued his impressive 2026 campaign. Acquired from the Tampa Bay Rays at last year’s trade deadline, Bradley has quickly become a cornerstone of the Twins' rotation. On Tuesday, he silenced the Nationals' bats over six solid innings, allowing just two runs on four hits while walking two.
Bradley’s primary weapon was his swing-and-miss stuff, as he racked up eight strikeouts to keep Washington from mounting any serious threats. The right-hander improved his record to 4-1 on the season and lowered his ERA to a sharp 2.87. His ability to navigate through the Nationals' lineup allowed the Twins' bullpen to breathe easy during the final frames of the blowout.
Washington Nationals Struggle at Home
For the Washington Nationals, the loss further emphasized a troubling trend. The team fell to a disappointing 4-13 record at home this season, a mark that has prevented them from gaining any real momentum in the standings. Starting pitcher Cade Cavalli struggled with his command, lasting only four innings while surrendered six runs—three of which were earned.
The Nationals did see some bright spots from their younger core. Daylen Lile reached base twice and scored two runs, while Curtis Mead went 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI. Top prospect James Wood also contributed an RBI double in the seventh inning, momentarily cutting the deficit to 7-3 before the Twins' offense pulled away for good in the eighth.
Balanced Contributions Across the Lineup
The victory was a true team effort for Minnesota, as multiple players contributed to the double-digit run total. In addition to Lee’s three RBIs and Buxton’s home run, Trevor Larnach stayed hot with two hits and two RBIs. Royce Lewis added a sacrifice fly, and Josh Bell chipped in with an RBI single against his former team.
The Twins also showcased excellent plate discipline, drawing eight walks as a team. Luke Keaschall was particularly patient, reaching base four times via three walks and an infield single. This relentless pressure on the Washington pitching staff eventually broke the game open, as the Nationals were forced to use four different relievers to get through the final five innings.
Looking Ahead
The Minnesota Twins will look to secure a series win on Wednesday as they send right-hander Bailey Ober (3-1, 3.55 ERA) to the mound. The Washington Nationals will counter with veteran Miles Mikolas (0-3, 8.23 ERA), who is still searching for his first win of the season. With the Twins' offense clicking and their rotation finding its rhythm, Minnesota is positioned to climb back toward the top of the AL Central standings.
Sources & Original Reporting
