Angels 5, Twins 4: Walker Jenkins's Big Moment Not Quite Enough

Sam Caulder · 2026-09-18T04:58:00Z

Image courtesy of Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Box Score
SP: Taj Bradley - 7 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 1 BB, 9 K (98 pitches, 65 strikes (66% strikes))
Home Runs: Walker Jenkins (2)
Bottom 3 WPA: Yoendrys Gómez (-0.38), Kody Funderburk (-0.18), Josh Bell (-0.18)
Win Probability Chart

The Twins entered Thursday night's contest against the Angels looking to start their four-game set with a win. Instead, they found themselves in an early hole and spent most of the night trying to fight their way back.

Los Angeles jumped on Taj Bradley for three runs in the first inning, but the right-hander settled in and completely shut the Angels down from there. Minnesota's offense, meanwhile, struggled to generate much of anything until the eighth inning, when a late rally finally gave them a chance.

The Twins tied the game in the ninth on a massive Walker Jenkins homer, then took their first lead of the night in the 10th. Unfortunately, Los Angeles answered in the bottom half and walked it off, handing Minnesota a 5-4 loss and dropping the Twins to 71-82 on the season with just nine games remaining.

TAJ BRADLEY TURNED THINGS AROUND AFTER A ROUGH FIRST
Bradley couldn't have asked for a much worse start to Thursday night's game. After striking out Zach Neto on a curveball to begin the bottom of the first, Bradley walked Mike Trout and allowed Wade Meckler to single. That brought Moisés Ballesteros to the plate, and the Angels' catcher smoked a ball to center field to score Trout and give Los Angeles an early 1-0 lead.

Things snowballed a bit from there. Denzer Guzman followed with another single to bring Meckler home before Oswald Peraza lined another ball into right field. Ballesteros scored on the play, and both Guzman and Peraza advanced on the throw to make it a 3-0 game. Bradley finally escaped the inning when José Siri struck out, but it took him 28 pitches to get through the first.

After that, however, Bradley was outstanding. He retired the Angels in order in the second, getting Neto to swing through a curveball before Trout grounded out to Brooks Lee. He then worked another 1-2-3 inning in the third, retiring seven consecutive batters after the rough first.

Bradley continued to cruise from there, striking out Neto for the third time in the fifth before retiring Trout and Meckler to end the inning. He then worked another quick 1-2-3 sixth and struck out Josh Lowe to end the seventh. After allowing three runs in the first, Bradley didn't allow another one.

He finished his night with seven innings, three runs allowed and a staggering 20 whiffs on 98 pitches. Unfortunately, because the Twins' offense couldn't get anything going early, Bradley was still in line for the loss despite pitching seven dominant innings after the first.

THE TWINS FINALLY FOUND SOME LIFE IN THE EIGHTH
For most of the night, Minnesota's offense looked completely overmatched. The Twins managed just three hits through the first seven innings and couldn't put together a serious threat against Walbert Ureña. But that finally changed in the eighth. Walker Jenkins led off the inning with a single. Ben Ross ripped a double into left field. Suddenly, the Twins had runners on second and third with nobody out and their first real scoring opportunity of the night.

Luke Keaschall couldn't capitalize, striking out looking, but Brooks Lee came through with a sacrifice fly to bring Jenkins home. That cut the deficit to 3-1. Kody Clemens then worked a walk to keep the inning alive, but Josh Bell struck out to strand two runners and end the threat. It wasn't quite the massive inning Minnesota needed, but it was enough to give the Twins some momentum heading into the ninth.

And they would need every bit of it.

WALKER JENKINS DELIVERED THE BIGGEST HIT OF HIS YOUNG CAREER
The ninth inning provided the biggest moment of the night for the Twins. Ben Joyce came in looking to close out the game for Los Angeles, and he immediately showed why he's so difficult to hit. Emmanuel Rodriguez swung through a 102 MPH fastball for the first out before Royce Lewis got frozen by a 103 MPH heater on the outside corner. With the Twins down to their final out, Victor Caratini lined a single into center field to bring Jenkins to the plate as the tying run.

He turned on a 101 MPH fastball and launched it out for a game-tying two-run homer, tying the game at three and giving him his third hit of the night on what was already the first multi-hit game of his major league career. It was a massive moment for the 22-year-old, especially considering how little the Twins' offense had been able to do throughout the first eight innings.

Ross struck out to end the inning, but the damage had already been done. The Twins had come all the way back. And suddenly, extra innings were on the table.

THE TWINS COULDN'T HOLD ON IN EXTRAS
Minnesota finally took its first lead of the night in the top of the 10th. With Ben Ross starting the inning as the extra-inning runner, Keaschall opened the frame with a single through the left side. That kept Ross at third and put runners on the corners for Lee. Lee then smoked a 2-0 sinker into right field, bringing Ross home and giving the Twins their first lead of the night at 4-3.

Clemens laid down a sacrifice bunt to move the runners up, but Bell popped out and the Angels intentionally walked Ryan Jeffers to load the bases for Lewis. Unfortunately, Lewis struck out to end the inning, leaving Minnesota with just a one-run lead to protect.

Yoendrys Gómez got the ball in the bottom half and immediately found himself in trouble. Pinch-hitter Vaughn Grissom flew out to Austin Martin, but Siri tagged up and moved to third. Gómez then walked Neto, setting up a massive at-bat against Trout. Turns out, that's not the guy you want to face in a high-leverage spot.

He lined a ball past Ross to score Siri and tie the game at four. That ended Gómez's night, with Kody Funderburk coming in to try to keep the game alive. Instead, the first pitch he threw was grounded into right field for a walk-off single. Just like that, the Twins went from finally taking their first lead of the night to walking off the field with a loss.

Minnesota fought all the way back after trailing 3-0, tied the game in the ninth and took the lead in extras. But it wasn't enough. The Angels win 5-4. The Twins fall to 71-82, and with only nine games left in the season, Thursday's loss felt like another frustrating summary of how this season has gone for Minnesota.

What’s Next?
The Twins and Angels will continue their four-game series in Anaheim tomorrow night. Connor Prielipp is lined up to start for Minnesota, and he’s set to face off against right-hander Grayson Rodriguez. First pitch is set for 8:38 PM.

Postgame Interviews
Coming soon!

Bullpen Availability Chart

View full article

LastOnePicked · 2026-09-18T05:10:23Z

I know WPA is an advanced stat and that it's probably pretty insightful in all kinds of ways. But, man, I'd give Lewis like a -.99 on this one.

Parfigliano · 2026-09-18T05:23:03Z

Bullpen problems again.

knothole61 · 2026-09-18T05:29:56Z

This is why baseball is still the grand old game: two outs, no one on, top of the ninth, nothing on the line but pride, and the light-hitting Caratini shoots a single to right bringing the rookie with the .140 average to the plate against the fireballer Joyce..and this time Casey doesn't strike out. What a wonderful moment for the kid, the team, and the fans. This season was a rough, but interesting, rollercoaster ride but here in the midst of a fruitless September I feel genuine hope for the future.

knothole61 · 2026-09-18T05:48:19Z

26 minutes ago, LastOnePicked said:

I know WPA is an advanced stat and that it's probably pretty insightful in all kinds of ways. But, man, I'd give Lewis like a -.99 on this one.

I'm so tired of watching Lewis flail away at everything! Something has to give here. I don't think I can stand watching another year of it. It's like Royce is a character from the movie It Happens Every Spring where chemistry professor (Ray Milland) concocts something that avoids wood and he loads baseballs up with it and strikes out every helpless batter he faces. Could that be the problem with Lewis? Maybe the commissioner's office should look into it.

glunn · 2026-09-18T06:14:11Z

25 minutes ago, knothole61 said:

I'm so tired of watching Lewis flail away at everything! Something has to give here. I don't think I can stand watching another year of it. It's like Royce is a character from the movie It Happens Every Spring where chemistry professor (Ray Milland) concocts something that avoids wood and he loads baseballs up with it and strikes out every helpless batter he faces. Could that be the problem with Lewis? Maybe the commissioner's office should look into it.

Good one!

Peter · 2026-09-18T10:30:34Z

Even though twins are out of playoffs this loss sucks- 3-0 down then to fight for 4-3 lead including Jenkins first home run off mlb career only to lose. Everyone one says games in April mean nothing well it does!! If twins win half those games including winning one run games we would be in first place-I’ll still watch rest of games with hopes they can win out!!! Next year and beyond will be way better as our young guns along with rest of team will be at full health!!! Can’t wait for next year!!!

Whitey333 · 2026-09-18T12:23:22Z

I too am optimistic about many of our young players. Unfortunately the statement from Peter "I cant wait until next year" is the same as it is every year. Cant wait until next year is the Twins marketing philosophy and has been for years. Great to see Jenkins kme up with 3 hits including hus first major league homerun off a pitcher. Recall his very first homerun was from a position player Pitching in a blowout game. Great job Jenkins!!

thelanges5 · 2026-09-18T12:24:55Z

Taj needs to figure out his first inning woes.

Gleeman:

Taj Bradley this season:

First inning — 7.20 ERA
All other innings — 3.09 ERA

HokieRif · 2026-09-18T12:28:08Z

6 hours ago, knothole61 said:

I'm so tired of watching Lewis flail away at everything! Something has to give here. I don't think I can stand watching another year of it. It's like Royce is a character from the movie It Happens Every Spring where chemistry professor (Ray Milland) concocts something that avoids wood and he loads baseballs up with it and strikes out every helpless batter he faces. Could that be the problem with Lewis? Maybe the commissioner's office should look into it.

I intentionally stayed away from the Twins and Lewis this year, and my mental health has been fantastic all year because of it.

this team, this club, doesn’t hate to lose. I think that is the core issue. They aren’t willing to fight, to make tough decisions, because they can’t stand losing another game, or losing another season.

HeresWaldo · 2026-09-18T12:34:57Z

I still can't figure Bradley out. The stuff is so enticing but I don't think I've ever seen a good starter misfire into one of the batters boxes as often as he does. The attached visual is his locations from last night, and by my count more than a third of his pitches thrown outside the zone missed by so much that they ended up in a batters box, were spiked in the dirt, or could have hit someone in the head.

PuckettPond · 2026-09-18T12:42:25Z

If Jenkins & Erod do not play every CF inning in 2027 the Twins will have a losing season.

Jack Pine · 2026-09-18T13:01:28Z

Out of curiosity, does any body have an idea what type of hip surgury Buck will have?

HarmonK03 · 2026-09-18T13:03:35Z

28 minutes ago, HeresWaldo said:

I still can't figure Bradley out. The stuff is so enticing but I don't think I've ever seen a good starter misfire into one of the batters boxes as often as he does. The attached visual is his locations from last night, and by my count more than a third of his pitches thrown outside the zone missed by so much that they ended up in a batters box, were spiked in the dirt, or could have hit someone in the head.

And we wonder why Tampa was willing to trade him.

Saxophone Joe · 2026-09-18T13:03:54Z

Good to see young Walker was paying attention to Mr. Carew's wisdom during his pregame speech.

Sounds like another winnable game that slipped away though. Oof. West coast woes continue.

MeleMouth · 2026-09-18T13:12:03Z

8 hours ago, LastOnePicked said:

I know WPA is an advanced stat and that it's probably pretty insightful in all kinds of ways. But, man, I'd give Lewis like a -.99 on this one.

From the article: "Royce Lewis got frozen by a 103 MPH heater on the outside corner." Unless Royce starts approaching pitches low and outside differently, every pitcher will work on this major weakness and he'll never be even a replacement level hitter, regardless of how much ability he has.

When he came back from AAA, he had a good month and a narrative was established that he was fixed. After last night, his wRC+ since returning from St. Paul is 97, which is below replacement level. On a full season basis, among 1B with at least 300 PA as a 1B, his 100 wRC+ as a 1B ranks 23rd of 25.

Time for Newis: lose the face paint and the swing that maximizes pull and lift, and start acting like you feel lucky to be in the majors instead of someone who deserves his rightful place of leadership.

MeleMouth · 2026-09-18T13:14:19Z

38 minutes ago, HeresWaldo said:

I still can't figure Bradley out. The stuff is so enticing but I don't think I've ever seen a good starter misfire into one of the batters boxes as often as he does. The attached visual is his locations from last night, and by my count more than a third of his pitches thrown outside the zone missed by so much that they ended up in a batters box, were spiked in the dirt, or could have hit someone in the head.

It might not be quite that bad. For example, a breaking ball to a right-handed hitter often ends up in the left-handed batting box.

Galen · 2026-09-18T13:20:29Z

7 hours ago, glunn said:

Good one!

But he's really good at celebrating 🍾 when he does some little thing right.

umterp23 · 2026-09-18T13:23:17Z

So Mr happy feet Lewis with golden sombrero night at the plate, not surprised by it. Everyone who pays attention to his at bats knows he is sucker for low and away. Solid base starts with feet, legs , hips. He has none of it. Occasional fast ball he gets to but another guy the front office wants to be the next face of organization is not a good baseball player. In his career he has had about 50 games of high level success. Rest of his career is a bench level player.

I don’t slump sure hasn’t aged well

wesnewy · 2026-09-18T13:28:28Z

45 minutes ago, PuckettPond said:

If Jenkins & Erod do not play every CF inning in 2027 the Twins will have a losing season.

I wouldn't go that far, but they definitely need to be in the OF or for sure in the line up everyday

HarmonK03 · 2026-09-18T13:31:01Z

12 minutes ago, MeleMouth said:

From the article: "Royce Lewis got frozen by a 103 MPH heater on the outside corner." Unless Royce starts approaching pitches low and outside differently, every pitcher will work on this major weakness and he'll never be even a replacement level hitter, regardless of how much ability he has.

So first Royce has to stop flailing away at the low and outside pitch say the comments, then when he does lay off one, he has to start approaching those pitches differently. This is where to me comments about Royce start losing their effectiveness.

Yes Royce had a bad night last night and he was laying off those pitches better until mid August, even though I don't think it has been as bad as it was before he was sent down. And yes you have to protect the plate with two strikes, but that is something that every batter in the lineup struggles with, how many pitches have we seen right down the middle with 2 strikes being taken.

Royce was not a pull hitter when he came up, this is the Twins way of teaching players to hit. Yes Royce deserves his share of the blame but someone needs to look at the development of these players and ask why they didn't work out, not all these players should be average or below.

sweetmusicviola16 · 2026-09-18T13:36:00Z

I for one am done with Lewis. Unfortunately I believe he'll be back for 2027. He will have zero trade value and how will this FO cut ties to the touted one?

HeresWaldo · 2026-09-18T13:39:37Z

24 minutes ago, MeleMouth said:

It might not be quite that bad. For example, a breaking ball to a right-handed hitter often ends up in the left-handed batting box.

For sure, but most guys at least pretend they're aiming for the shadow zone and he just doesn't seem to care. If it's working for him I'm on board, but I've never seen anything like it.

There are 48 qualified starting pitchers in MLB right now. He's tied for 5th best stuff by Stuff+ but is 47th out of 48 in Location+. The results basically back this up with one of the 10 worst walk rates in the group but also an excellent strikeout rate. Put another way the models think he's got Jacob DeGrom's stuff with Robbie Ray's command.

MeleMouth · 2026-09-18T13:40:30Z

3 minutes ago, HarmonK03 said:

Royce was not a pull hitter when he came up, this is the Twins way of teaching players to hit.

This statement contradicts itself. If the Twins teach players to pull, then Royce would have been a pull hitter when he came up. They wouldn't have taught him something else after he reached the majors.

Although I agree with you generally - the Twins of the Falvey era did try to maximize power and did a terrible job both of developing hitters for sustained success and helping them adjust when the league figured out their weaknesses.

Peter · 2026-09-18T13:40:32Z

Do you guys think next year will be Royce’s last year with twins? He needs to lose the stupid face paint as he should be hitting 30 home runs a year especially if he’s playing first base. His I don’t do slumps is beyond dumb- twins need to give him one year prove it or lose contract!!!

DJL44 · 2026-09-18T13:41:59Z

You would think that Royce was the only batter having trouble yesterday. The Angels starter was nasty. Everyone was struggling until the bullpen entered the game.

Patzky · 2026-09-18T13:43:46Z

38 minutes ago, Saxophone Joe said:

Good to see young Walker was paying attention to Mr. Carew's wisdom during his pregame speech.

Sounds like another winnable game that slipped away though. Oof. West coast woes continue.

It was a very losable game when I went to bed. I was shocked, shocked I say, to read about the last innings.

To see that Jenkins can have a big moment like that is very heartening. To see that Caratini can have a little moment first is calming.

Gomez.. is valuable but maybe not how we think. An enlightening game in many ways.

miller761 · 2026-09-18T14:11:23Z

Time to switch Hoffman and Gomez. Looks to me to be a more logical way to deploy the bullpen.

LastOnePicked · 2026-09-18T14:11:41Z

1 hour ago, thelanges5 said:

Taj needs to figure out his first inning woes.

Gleeman:

Taj Bradley this season:

First inning — 7.20 ERA
All other innings — 3.09 ERA

Just have him start his games in the second inning. Easy fix.

DJL44 · 2026-09-18T14:14:56Z

1 hour ago, thelanges5 said:

Taj needs to figure out his first inning woes.

Gleeman:

Taj Bradley this season:

First inning — 7.20 ERA
All other innings — 3.09 ERA

That’s called Brad Radke syndrome

Sign In

Angels 5, Twins 4: Walker Jenkins's Big Moment Not Quite Enough

Recommended Posts

Create an account or sign in to comment

Create an account

Sign in

Member Statistics

Prospect News & Highlights

Recent News

Notes & Rumors

Recent Blog Entries

Recent Status Updates