Aggressive base running, clutch hitting lifts wounded Twins over Mets in 10 innings

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MINNEAPOLIS — The list of the walking wounded increased by one on Wednesday afternoon, but it didn’t prevent the Minnesota Twins from completing a much-needed series victory.

Already without Matt Wallner and Carlos Correa, who was available for defensive purposes only, the Twins removed Willi Castro in the eighth inning with right oblique tightness. Despite their latest medical misfortune, the Twins persevered, overcoming a blown lead late to top the New York Mets 4-3 in 10 innings at Target Field.

Jhoan Duran and Cole Sands kept the meat of New York’s lineup off the board in consecutive innings, and Ty France ripped a game-winning single to center to score Byron Buxton, who was flying around the bases. The victory, and the series win, were the byproduct of two consecutive days of aggressive base running, productive outs, timely hits and good defense from a Twins team looking for signs of life.

“We knew it was in there,” said France, who’d been 0-for-4 with three strikeouts before his walk-off hit. “We’ve played a lot of good baseball games. They just haven’t gone our way. For us to take two of three from those guys definitely is a confidence boost. We’re going to play a good team in Atlanta over there, so we’re going to take (Thursday) to recover and try and keep this thing rolling.”

One way the Twins picked up steam is with aggressive play on the bases. Similar to Tuesday’s victory, Wednesday’s contest was littered with examples of the Twins stealing an additional 90 feet.

Edouard Julien produced a hustle double in the third. Castro raced into second for a leadoff double in the fifth, four batters ahead of Buxton, who took an extra base on the throw home on his RBI single. Ryan Jeffers scored from second base on Castro’s two-out infield single in the sixth, which made it a 3-0 game.

When France’s 101.9-mph liner found grass in front of center fielder Tyrone Taylor in the 10th inning, everyone in the park knew Buxton would try to score. What looked as if it could have been a close play at the plate was negated when Taylor rushed and fumbled in an attempt to gather the ball to cut down the speedy Buxton, who crossed the plate to set off a celebration near first base.

WALK OFF WINNERS! pic.twitter.com/ibniW4pqH2

— Twins.TV (@twinstv) April 16, 2025

“I love the aggressiveness that our team showed all day long,” manager Rocco Baldelli said. “I loved the way our team ran the bases.”

The victory marked the first time this season the Twins won in a game in which they didn’t homer in nine tries. After going 12-36 in homerless games last season, including 2-16 over the final quarter of the season, the Twins wanted to improve their results in similar future games. Perhaps they discovered the formula over the past two days.

“That’s what wins the ballgame, aggressive on the bases,” Castro said. “We’re all doing a better job at the plate. We’re all taking advantage, getting hits. And yeah, we have a good team. We have a team to win. We didn’t start like we wanted, but we’re going on the right track now.”

Here are some other series takeaways.

Injuries becoming an issue

The Twins’ position depth is being severely tested, and they’re already scrambling.

Royce Lewis continues to recover, but he’s still not close to returning despite trying to talk his way onto the team’s charter flight to Atlanta.

With Wallner set to go on the injured list (joining Austin Martin and Jose Miranda, who are on the IL in Triple A), Castro’s status undetermined and Correa’s wrist improved but also uncertain, the Twins acquired infielder Jonah Bride from the Miami Marlins in exchange for cash on Wednesday.

Designated for assignment by the Marlins on Tuesday, Bride plays third base, second base and first base, which would free up Brooks Lee to play shortstop if Correa needs more time to strengthen his wrist.

Bride struggled at the plate this season in 45 plate appearances, which led to his DFA. Last season, Bride batted .276/.357/.461 with 11 homers in 272 plate appearances for the Marlins.

How Bride would be used will be determined by how Correa and Castro feel on Friday. Baldelli acknowledged before Wednesday’s game that he’s aware of the wrist that bothered Correa since last season, but the shortstop hadn’t been affected this season until Tuesday.

“It’s not something that’s ever held him back from performing, taking the field or anything,” Baldelli said. “I had literally zero concern, and really zero discussion this year, about the wrist, but it was something that would periodically pop up and give him some minor issues.”

After entering the game as a defensive replacement, Correa said his wrist felt better, but nobody could say with certainty whether he would have hit when his turn in the lineup arrived.

Castro’s situation also needs to be clarified before the team returns to action on Friday evening. The infielder said he felt his oblique tighten when he fouled off a pitch during his sixth-inning infield single.

“I think I could have played through it, but I just didn’t want it to get worse,” Castro said. “I don’t know yet. Let’s see for the day, first game over there to see how it feels. (Thursday) is going to be a good day off. Good rest.”

Julien’s slick defense impressing team

One benefactor of the team’s rash of injuries is Julien, who produced another good, all-around day, including turning a unique, unassisted ground-ball double play.

Everyone involved in this doubleplay:

Ed, Edd n Eddy pic.twitter.com/jAuvN3yMJY

— Minnesota Twins (@Twins) April 16, 2025

“Fancy from Ed,” Baldelli said with a smile.

Julien doubled and walked in five trips to the plate. But afterward, the clubhouse was more impressed by his defense.

Julien’s quick thinking on Juan Soto’s bases-loaded chopper in the fifth inning was key.

Playing in when he cleanly fielded the ball, Julien immediately noticed Francisco Lindor didn’t get a good jump off first base and pursued the runner for a tag before tapping first base just ahead of Soto for a stunning double play.

“That was just a whirlwind,” France said. “I didn’t know if he was going to throw me the ball, tag him, take it himself. There was just so much going on there, but he’s worked really hard on his defensive side of the game, and you’ve got to give him a lot of credit. A lot of people would panic right there, and for him to stay calm, cool and collected, know what to do, made the right read. So, very proud of him.”

Julien entered the season in a spot where he needed to earn his at-bats. Had the Twins been healthy coming out of spring training, there’s a strong chance Julien may have begun the season at Triple A.

Instead, he’s here and Julien is starting to look like his productive form of 2023 and early 2024 again, a good sign for the Twins.

Bader’s move to left field

Harrison Bader continues to make his transition to left field look smooth. Bader, who had five hits and a walk in two games against his old team, made a picturesque throw to the plate in the second inning to cut down a base runner. He also made a stellar diving grab to end an eighth-inning Mets rally. Entering Wednesday, Bader produced one Defensive Run Saved in left, according to Fangraphs.

López’s timetable

Pablo López threw a bullpen session on Wednesday morning and reported feeling good. López, who was placed on the 15-day IL on Friday, also acknowledged the telltale sign comes Thursday when he sees how his right hamstring strain responds.

(Photo: Matt Krohn / Imagn Images)

This news was originally published on this post .

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