Padres batter Twins bullpen to win 12-3, pull to within game of NL West lead

Published: Sunday, August 31, 2025 at 5:19 am

Padres Rout Twins, Close in on NL West Lead

The San Diego Padres delivered a dominant performance against the Minnesota Twins on Saturday, securing a decisive 12-3 victory. The game was tightly contested early on, with the Twins holding a 3-1 lead after five innings, thanks to a strong start from Taj Bradley and a two-run homer by Byron Buxton. However, the Padres' offense exploded against the Twins' bullpen, particularly in the seventh inning, where they scored a staggering seven runs.

The Padres' offensive surge was fueled by a series of hits, walks, and an error. Elas Daz was a key contributor, hitting two home runs. Manny Machado also had a strong showing, collecting two hits, including an RBI single that pushed the Padres ahead. Ramn Laureano, another key player, capped off the Padres' offensive outburst with a home run in the eighth inning.

The Padres' bullpen also played a crucial role. Adrian Morejon earned the win, pitching a scoreless sixth inning. The Padres' victory allowed them to gain ground in the National League West standings. They are now just one game behind the first-place team in their division and two games behind the top wild-card spot.

The Twins' bullpen struggled to contain the Padres' offense. Mick Abel, one of the Twins' recent acquisitions, gave up the lead in the sixth inning. The seventh inning saw the Padres' offense continue to dominate, with multiple hits and a second home run from Daz.

Padres manager Mike Shildt praised the team's overall performance, highlighting the contributions from every player in the lineup. He also acknowledged Machado's milestone of surpassing 1,000 hits with the Padres. The Padres will look to continue their momentum in the series finale, with David Morgan set to pitch against Joe Ryan.

BNN's Perspective:

The Padres' victory highlights the importance of a strong bullpen in modern baseball. While starting pitching is crucial, the ability to effectively manage the late innings can make or break a team's chances. The Padres' ability to capitalize on the Twins' bullpen struggles demonstrates their readiness to compete for a division title and a playoff berth.

Keywords: Padres, Twins, MLB, Baseball, Elas Daz, Manny Machado, Ramn Laureano, Adrian Morejon, Mick Abel, NL West, Home Run, Victory, Score, Game, Win, Offense, Bullpen, Series, Mike Shildt

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