Rays 6, Twins 2: Taj Bradley Battered in Return to the Trop

[Matt Braun]

Image courtesy of © Pablo Robles-Imagn Images

Box Score
Taj Bradley: 6 1/3 IP, 7 H, 6 ER, 3 BB, 3 K
Home Runs: Brooks Lee (4), Royce Lewis (3)
Bottom 3 WPA: Taj Bradley (-0.180), Byron Buxton (-0.140), Victor Caratini (-0.120)
Win Probability Chart (via FanGraphs)

Hey, it’s Tropicana Field again. The stadium with the ambience of an aquarium-themed bowling alley. Oh how we missed ye. Hemingway himself would turn silent in the presence of such architecture. Absent the quality of their arena, the Rays offer an always-competent opponent, especially with Drew Rasmussen on the mound. Will the Twins eschew their post-Mets blues? We shall see. 

We start with a commentator's curse: Cory Provus—otherwise a quality voice of Minnesota ball—tempted fate and creation with an utterance; that Taj Bradley had faced the most batters in the big leagues in 2026 without allowing a homer. Junior Caminero was at bat. Bryan Woo was the second-place hurler. When the 2-1 fastball finally landed, the Seattle starter was the leader. That’s a kangaroo court fine in any society. 

The homer dampered what was perhaps an emotional start for Bradley, given that he took the Tampa Bay mound as an opponent for the first time in his career. Oh well. Sentimentality is for the arts.

Indeed, Bradley found his former home cold and unforgiving: a Tropicana-special chopped grounder in the third scooted into left field, portending a trip around the bases, a second run for the Rays. Jonathan Aranda then homered in the fourth. Brooks Lee answered with a solo shot in the fifth, but that dastardly Aranda sent a ball flying into the right field bleachers once more—this time off a curveball. Perhaps flashing four fingers is the best way to pitch to him. 

Camerino too. Rush taught us that choosing not to decide is still a choice; well, opting to send a man to first for free is a method of pitching as well. Yet, it wasn’t one Bradley opted for. Instead, the dynamic bat-speed maniac manning third for Tampa Bay obliterated a ball a mere 435 feet in the seventh, a good five yards shorter than the homer he previously blasted. In about four more flyballs, Minnesota will have him kept in the yard. 

Royce Lewis sent one caroming off the left field foul pole in the ninth, but the rally was too little, too late: Minnesota couldn't overcome the deficit they built, falling to the Rays 6-2 to start the series.

Notes:

Brooks Lee is slashing .308/.400/.462 in his last seven games.

Austin Martin's .514 OBP is the highest in MLB (min 70 PA).

Royce Lewis' 49 homers since the start of 2022 are the fifth-most on the Twins.

Post-Game Interview:

 

What’s Next?
The Twins and Rays will meet at Tropicana Field once more for a 3:10 battle, with Bailey Over set to start opposite Shane McClanahan. 

Bullpen Usage Spreadsheet

	SUN	MON	TUE	WED	THU	FRI	TOT
Morris	47	0	0	0	37	0	84
Banda	0	0	18	0	9	7	34
Topa	0	0	17	17	0	0	34
Acton	29	0	0	0	0	0	29
Sands	0	0	23	0	0	0	23
Orze	0	0	0	11	0	10	21
Rogers	8	0	0	12	0	0	20
Funderburk	0	0	0	0	0	0	0

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[Sampson5]

Honestly I'm just glad lee finally looking playable at the plate it's to bad most the offense providing nothing most games until we're down big maybe time to get some prospects up here who can maybe do something at the plate probably time to send down wallner and just dfa Clemens or outman at least with prospects they will be fun to watch well unless they also can't hit mlb pitching lol 

[h2oface]

How many times do we watch a player the Twins trade come back to Target and either throw a Cy Young caliber game and shut down our bats, or has a heroic game at the plate and stuffs it down our throats? Seems like a lot.

Bradley showed Tampa, eh? Poor Bradley. Why doesn’t it work for the Twins?

[thelanges5]

0 for 6 w/RISP, 9 LOB - you’re going to lose most games where you only score two runs. Taj blow up isn’t good but the offense concerns me more. They have a few outbursts like Thursday but they are more likely to disappear for long stretches. 

[Peter]

Twins are in a funk right now. Taj got lit but hung tough-need to score runs with runners in scoring position!!! That’s bit twins in ass-let’s hope twins get win today and get on winning streak!!!

[mikelink45]

I agree with one of the postings here - we need bats and Outman and Clemens are not good, Keaschall has his the same sophomore slump that has lasted to long for Lee and Lewis (I know they both homered) and Wallner.  

But looking at the lineup in St Paul and Witchita the only ones really hitting are Ross, Culpepper and Rodriguez.  Other than Ross 253 is the highest BA and yes I care about BA.   

But I am ready for Rodriguez to make the jump. 

[DJL44]

Everybody seems to be focused on bats. The Twins are tied for 7th in MLB in run scoring. They are in the middle of the pack in K and K/BB. Fangraphs has them 8th in pitching WAR.

They’re 29th in defense. 

[Jack Pine]

They have become a tough team to watch.

[thelanges5]

47 minutes ago, Jack Pine said:

They have become a tough team to watch.

Bad defense, iffy baserunning, large stretches of non-competitive at bats, low octane bullpen, too many guys that I’m not interested in on the 26-man, no one at AAA knocking on the door due a hot start. 😮‍💨
 

[JD-TWINS]

43 minutes ago, DJL44 said:

Everybody seems to be focused on bats. The Twins are tied for 7th in MLB in run scoring. They are in the middle of the pack in K and K/BB. Fangraphs has them 8th in pitching WAR.

They’re 29th in defense. 

Scoring 8 runs in a loss (Thursday) can be misleading for run production totals, particularly sandwiched between 2 runs on both Wednesday & Friday.

Pitching is what, I assume, most expected …… a bunch of “OK”, 70/80% of the time with some great and some terrible 10-15% on either side. Typical, “OK staff” in MLB.

Defense is pretty much what Team and fans would have expected. Only real Average to above average defender is Buxton. Everyone else is hoping to “attain average” and most are incapable of that happening. Maybe Lee could at 2B ….. maybe Lewis could - Martin is average to be fair. That’s it though.

Difficult to be effective offensively with 4 guys really not contributing in any key situations with any consistency. Scoring in Baseball is hard enough with good hitters 26% - 30% success rate with hits & mediocre success 8-10% of the time with walks. 65% failure rate at the plate is norm for “good players”

Outman - Clemens - Wallner - Keaschall

(BA & OPS+) respectively

(.091 & -15)-(.170 & 63)-(.195 & 72)-(.202 & 42)

OFTEN, 3 of these guys are in the starting line-up.

Team needs to make AT LEAST 2 roster changes upon returning to Minnesota………personally, I’d like to see Culpepper at SS (to address the 29th in defense issue) ….. Lee at 2B (also helps defensive profile) Emma in RF with Wallner being optioned (better defense) …….. Keaschall being optioned with Kriedler adding defensive depth infield/outfield.

They don’t burn Clemens and Outman via DFA until a couple other guys get some exposure & prove themselves OR Keaschall & Wallner find themselves over the next few weeks - month +. Gotta help defense & can’t hurt offense!

 

[JD-TWINS]

If Keaschall & Wallner were optioned for Culpepper & Emma with Outman released:

Lewis - Culpepper - Lee - Bell (infield)

Martin - Buxton - Emma (outfield)

(Catchers)

Larnach (DH)

Gray - Clemens - Caratini - Kriedler (bench) ……. first 3 guys play semi-regularly at 1B & DH, etc. and Kriedler is late inning D, pinch runner, ……guy that can bunt.

Near-term “Step in right direction” offensively & defensively - right? Hopefully, Keaschall & Wallner are back in 3-6 weeks to push Clemens & Kriedler off roster……or Culpepper, if things aren’t going well.

 

[karcherd]

Why is everyone in such a rush to send Keaschall down to St. Paul.  There are no replacements for him.  Gray, Kreidler or Clemens are not going to solve any problems and or even be an average placeholder.  Gray and Kreidler have not looked that spectacular on defense.  Are they an upgrade maybe, but just because everyone says they are the defensive saviors does not mean they are.  

Have some patience with Keaschall, he only has a 100 AB's this year and under 300 for his career.  With no one beating down the door to replace him, keep running him out there and keep him at 2B.  Other teams show patience and have been rewarded.  At some point our young players have to start adjusting.  Is it coaching, lack of coaching or something else.  If it is lack of talent, then the whole organization needs to be blown up from Zoll on down and start over.  If it is coaching, hopefully Shelton and this current coaching staff can unlock what is needed.

[CharlieDee]

Two times in this game we had runners on 2nd and 3rd with no outs and failed to score. That's completely unacceptable.

[DJL44]

2 minutes ago, CharlieDee said:

Two times in this game we had runners on 2nd and 3rd with no outs and failed to score. That's completely unacceptable.

That happens to every team in baseball.

[karcherd]

16 minutes ago, JD-TWINS said:

If Keaschall & Wallner were optioned for Culpepper & Emma with Outman released:

Lewis - Culpepper - Lee - Bell (infield)

Martin - Buxton - Emma (outfield)

(Catchers)

Larnach (DH)

Gray - Clemens - Caratini - Kriedler (bench) ……. first 3 guys play semi-regularly at 1B & DH, etc. and Kriedler is late inning D, pinch runner, ……guy that can bunt.

Near-term “Step in right direction” offensively & defensively - right? Hopefully, Keaschall & Wallner are back in 3-6 weeks to push Clemens & Kriedler off roster……or Culpepper, if things aren’t going well.

 

A bench with both Gray and Kreidler needs to be a no go.  One of them to back up short is enough.  I am not in favor of moving Lee around.  When Culpepper comes up, they need to commit to keeping him up for the year.

[JD-TWINS]

41 minutes ago, karcherd said:

Why is everyone in such a rush to send Keaschall down to St. Paul.  There are no replacements for him.  Gray, Kreidler or Clemens are not going to solve any problems and or even be an average placeholder.  Gray and Kreidler have not looked that spectacular on defense.  Are they an upgrade maybe, but just because everyone says they are the defensive saviors does not mean they are.  

Have some patience with Keaschall, he only has a 100 AB's this year and under 300 for his career.  With no one beating down the door to replace him, keep running him out there and keep him at 2B.  Other teams show patience and have been rewarded.  At some point our young players have to start adjusting.  Is it coaching, lack of coaching or something else.  If it is lack of talent, then the whole organization needs to be blown up from Zoll on down and start over.  If it is coaching, hopefully Shelton and this current coaching staff can unlock what is needed.

He’s beat up (mentally) having to play everyday, IMO. His lack of ability to drive the ball, even occasionally, is a concern. He brings nothing positive defensively to off-set SLOW start offensively. His OBP is extremely low at .245! He’s got 4 XBH in 99 AB’s. His OPS+ is 42.

Somebody comes up when he gets optioned. You are right, Gray - Krueger - Clemens offer no upside.

Culpepper to SS & Lee to 2B helps up the middle defense, frankly, reduces pressure on Lee and gets Culpepper’s glove in the game while allowing him to get his feet wet - ALL while Keaschall finds himself over the next few weeks……btw, Lee is a better 2nd baseman.

It’s a Major League Sports Team not some grade school activity group! Other Teams send guys up & down all the time looking for the right spark. It’s not a punishment - he’s not being banned - it’s for his own benefit! Also, it may help Team WIN more games……to paraphrase Herm Edwards.

[JD-TWINS]

37 minutes ago, karcherd said:

A bench with both Gray and Kreidler needs to be a no go.  One of them to back up short is enough.  I am not in favor of moving Lee around.  When Culpepper comes up, they need to commit to keeping him up for the year.

Kriedler can play OF better than Kody Clemens. He can play 2B better than Kody Clemens. Kriedler has more value than Outman due to flexibility on D and having a pulse in the batter’s box.

Gray isn’t going anywhere.

There are no hard fast rules about guys coming up and never going back down. None. Wallner fixed himself in AAA in both ‘23 & ‘24, to then help the Big Club for significant parts of the season…….Lee as well was up & down - back when he was the “next star”.

Lee is NOT the long-term SS - for sure. He could hopefully play 1B in the future - not in ‘26. He’s competent at 2B or 3B………Lewis has his spot locked up (short term) much more than Keaschall has. Lee’s gotta move ultimately, just want to start the transition to benefit the Club. ……..then hope for Keaschall to force his way back on the roster with some SUCCESS in St Paul.

[jkcarew]

In what universe does it make sense at this point to bat Buxton in front of Martin. One has a very high OBP and low power…one has excellent power and a low OBP. (Martin was getting on base at a good rate last year as well…Buxton has low OBP even when he’s ‘good’.)

The statistical likelihood of Buxton missing an ‘extra’ PA if/when the lineup flips in the 9th inning doesn’t outweigh this stat line after 26 games: 7 RBI on 10 extra base hits…5 of which were HR. So inefficient.

Lee wasn’t very good offensively last year, but he was better last year than he was in his rookie year. Now, he looks like he’s going to be better this year than last. Is he slowly becoming a good hitter? Could be.

[JD-TWINS]

16 minutes ago, jkcarew said:

In what universe does it make sense at this point to bat Buxton in front of Martin. One has a very high OBP and low power…one has excellent power and a low OBP. (Martin was getting on base at a good rate last year as well…Buxton has low OBP even when he’s ‘good’.)

The statistical likelihood of Buxton missing an ‘extra’ PA if/when the lineup flips in the 9th inning doesn’t outweigh this stat line after 26 games: 7 RBI on 10 extra base hits…5 of which were HR. So inefficient.

Lee wasn’t very good offensively last year, but he was better last year than he was in his rookie year. Now, he looks like he’s going to be better this year than last. Is he slowly becoming a good hitter? Could be.

Slowly  - encouraging for Lee!

With Culpepper - Houston - Keaschall in the middle, apparently, going forward……..is it plausible to move Lee to 1B, (future) Sound glove there  - mobility isn’t an issue - better for his back, possibly - he appears to potentially have 25 HR power. If he can maintain OPS above .725 going forward, 1B might be his spot?

I think Buxton likes leading off - better for Team to get him in an RBI spot …….. completely agree on XBH v. RBI ratio being “off”.

[RpR]

4 minutes ago, JD-TWINS said:

Slowly  - encouraging for Lee!

With Culpepper - Houston - Keaschall in the middle, apparently, going forward……..is it plausible to move Lee to 1B, (future) Sound glove there  - mobility isn’t an issue - better for his back, possibly - he appears to potentially have 25 HR power. If he can maintain OPS above .725 going forward, 1B might be his spot?

I think Buxton likes leading off - better for Team to get him in an RBI spot …….. completely agree on XBH v. RBI ratio being “off”.

Mobility and range got Santana a Gold Glove; mobility is a Big issue as First Base.

Lee has neither.

[RpR]

4 hours ago, mikelink45 said:

I agree with one of the postings here - we need bats and Outman and Clemens are not good, Keaschall has his the same sophomore slump that has lasted to long for Lee and Lewis (I know they both homered) and Wallner.  

But looking at the lineup in St Paul and Witchita the only ones really hitting are Ross, Culpepper and Rodriguez.  Other than Ross 253 is the highest BA and yes I care about BA.   

But I am ready for Rodriguez to make the jump. 

For Rodriguez to take Wallners place, for however long, probably is not a bad idea for a look-see, but I doubt it will make a difference .  Those expecting a fellow with a 30 percent K rate against Minor League pitching to do better in the Majors is obtuse.

[DJL44]

35 minutes ago, JD-TWINS said:

Slowly  - encouraging for Lee!

With Culpepper - Houston - Keaschall in the middle, apparently, going forward……..is it plausible to move Lee to 1B, (future) Sound glove there  - mobility isn’t an issue - better for his back, possibly - he appears to potentially have 25 HR power. If he can maintain OPS above .725 going forward, 1B might be his spot?

I want a better bat for 1B. Lee is probably most valuable as a utility guy on the bench. His switch hitting potentially lets him platoon with every infielder.

[Jacksson]

This loss is on Bradley.  Problem must have either been emotional due to the return to Tampa or on the way the game was called by Caratini.  You just cannot give up 4 Gopher Balls and 3 walks and have any expectation of winning.  He only gave up 7 hits BUT 4 of those left the yard,

EIGHT STRIKEOUTS by Twins batters and Buxton =2, Caratini =2.  That's half the team's strikeouts by 2 players.  Time to give Buxton a few days of riding the pine as he is not positively contributing.  Until he gets his head screwed on straight, he shouldn't be leading off.  I knew this game was a loss after the very first Twin's batter, Buxton, struckout.

Both Clemens and Wallner are comfortably below the Mendoza line.

Third inning:  Leadoff walk. followed by Strikeout, Strikeout, Force Out =by Buxton.

Fourth inning: Runners on 2nd & 3rd, NO OUTS. followed by Strikeout, Strikeout, then Lewis pops out to 2B on the first pitch.

Ninth inning: 1 run in, down 6 - 2, runners on 2nd & 3rd, ZERO OUTS. followed by: Gray grounds out TO THE PITCHER on a changeup low and outside, Buxton STRIKES OUT on a high fastball barely in the strike zone after fouling off 7 pitches, Larnach grounds out to 1B on a fastball up and in.

Offense is not good enough at this time to make up a 5 run deficit and as evidenced by a recent game; even if the offense did, the bullpen wouldn't be able to hold the game.

 

[JD-TWINS]

1 hour ago, RpR said:

Mobility and range got Santana a Gold Glove; mobility is a Big issue as First Base.

Lee has neither.

“Gold Glove, gold glove …. who’s talking about Gold Gloves??” …. in my best Jim Mora voice!

 

He’s got MUCH better range for 1B than he does at either SS or 2B ………Clemens/Bell/Caratini don’t exactly scream “range”.

Trying to figure out where he has most value with his, realistic, skill set. As you well know, sometimes it’s a process of elimination before one finds the right fit. …….. he can’t pitch/catch nor play OF………. then you get to the four options on the dirt.

[JD-TWINS]

42 minutes ago, Jacksson said:

This loss is on Bradley.  Problem must have either been emotional due to the return to Tampa or on the way the game was called by Caratini.  You just cannot give up 4 Gopher Balls and 3 walks and have any expectation of winning.  He only gave up 7 hits BUT 4 of those left the yard,

EIGHT STRIKEOUTS by Twins batters and Buxton =2, Caratini =2.  That's half the team's strikeouts by 2 players.  Time to give Buxton a few days of riding the pine as he is not positively contributing.  Until he gets his head screwed on straight, he shouldn't be leading off.  I knew this game was a loss after the very first Twin's batter, Buxton, struckout.

Both Clemens and Wallner are comfortably below the Mendoza line.

Third inning:  Leadoff walk. followed by Strikeout, Strikeout, Force Out =by Buxton.

Fourth inning: Runners on 2nd & 3rd, NO OUTS. followed by Strikeout, Strikeout, then Lewis pops out to 2B on the first pitch.

Ninth inning: 1 run in, down 6 - 2, runners on 2nd & 3rd, ZERO OUTS. followed by: Gray grounds out TO THE PITCHER on a changeup low and outside, Buxton STRIKES OUT on a high fastball barely in the strike zone after fouling off 7 pitches, Larnach grounds out to 1B on a fastball up and in.

Offense is not good enough at this time to make up a 5 run deficit and as evidenced by a recent game; even if the offense did, the bullpen wouldn't be able to hold the game.

 

Pitching is NEVER going to be good enough to carry the load if Team scores 2 runs. Will lose 90-95 of contests Team scores 2 or less.

Buxton’s big swings in variability have always been frustrating - too many strikeouts are often a problem. If healthy, he’ll still hit 30 HR and play decent centerfield, at a minimum. Getting his average above .250 is always a big plus………it’s April 24th……. Byron has a bunch of games to get squared away!

[DJL44]

48 minutes ago, Jacksson said:

EIGHT STRIKEOUTS by Twins batters

MLB teams are averaging 8.5 strikeouts per game. 7 strikeouts per game would be good for #2 in all of baseball. What is the big deal with 8 strikeouts? That is a mundane, expected outcome.

[Wedman13]

5 hours ago, mikelink45 said:

I agree with one of the postings here - we need bats and Outman and Clemens are not good, Keaschall has his the same sophomore slump that has lasted to long for Lee and Lewis (I know they both homered) and Wallner.  

But looking at the lineup in St Paul and Witchita the only ones really hitting are Ross, Culpepper and Rodriguez.  Other than Ross 253 is the highest BA and yes I care about BA.   

But I am ready for Rodriguez to make the jump. 

Mendoza got a hit!

[RpR]

15 minutes ago, JD-TWINS said:

“Gold Glove, gold glove …. who’s talking about Gold Gloves??” …. in my best Jim Mora voice!

 

He’s got MUCH better range for 1B than he does at either SS or 2B ………Clemens/Bell/Caratini don’t exactly scream “range”.

Trying to figure out where he has most value with his, realistic, skill set. As you well know, sometimes it’s a process of elimination before one finds the right fit. …….. he can’t pitch/catch nor play OF………. then you get to the four options on the dirt.

He would be no better at First than at SS.  His range is horrible or do you think going to first is some sort of magic or watching the baseball roll into right field for a hit does not matter.

It is amazing how so many here think First Base does not matter. Thank God Twins FO and Manager know they are wrong.

[JD-TWINS]

1 hour ago, DJL44 said:

I want a better bat for 1B. Lee is probably most valuable as a utility guy on the bench. His switch hitting potentially lets him platoon with every infielder.

EVERYONE wants better bats through a whole bunch of the positions. Lee will be on the roster for a few years ……. I DON’T want him playing SS, even in a reserve role.

Carlos Santana - Ty France - Kody Clemens - Josh Bell - (anyone in the minors) - Brooks Lee……… who (which of these cloned) would you prefer at 1B for ‘27-‘29? ………..they have nobody obvious in the pipeline and refuse to spend on a first baseman! The vague, “I’d like somebody that hits better…..” - me too!

Maybe, maybe with less pressure with the glove every inning/day, he settles in at the plate. Definitely has 25 HR power with 600 AB’s……….he’s arbkeast at least a Rhys Hoskins level guy at 1B, IMO.

[RpR]

Carlos Santana - Ty France