Buxton’s magical cycle carries Twins to thrilling win over Pirates

Buxton's cycle is the first in Target Field history.

Jul 12, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Twins outfielder Byron Buxton (25) celebrates his triple against the Pittsburgh Pirates in the second inning at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images | Brad Rempel-Imagn Images

Byron Buxton hit for the first cycle in Target Field history, catapulting the Twins to a dominant 12-4 win over the Pirates on Saturday.

Buxton got the party started with an infield single to lead off the game for the Twins. He added a triple in a six-run second inning, hammered a ground-rule RBI double in the third, another single in the fifth and then he launched a 427-foot home run in the seventh inning for the first cycle by a Twins player since Jorge Polanco in 2019.

Wow! Byron Buxton homered to complete the cycle on his bobblehead day.

Buxton, who is 5-for-5 today, has the first cycle in Target Field history and the 12th cycle in #MNTwins history.

Amazing game to put the exclamation point on an amazing first half.pic.twitter.com/v9dVJhx3Y3

— Aaron Gleeman (@AaronGleeman) July 12, 2025

Minnesota exploded for 12 runs on Saturday. Kody Clemens had another big day, going 2-for-4 at the plate with three RBIs, including a 389-foot home run, which he celebrated with a picturesque bat flip.

How about that bat flip? pic.twitter.com/iwVt4ogzvf

— Minnesota Twins (@Twins) July 12, 2025

Matt Walner and Willi Castro both added home runs, but it was the six-run second inning that gave Minnesota plenty of breathing room to play care-free baseball the rest of the afternoon.

It was a bullpen day on the mound for the Twins. Cole Sands started and delivered two no-hit innings. He was relieved by Travis Adams, followed by appearances from Anthony Misiewicz and Justin Topa.

The Twins move to 47-48, giving them a chance to get to .500 with a win Sunday against Pittsburgh before hitting the All-Star break. Buxton will compete in the Home Run Derby on Monday night, and then join pitcher Joe Ryan in the All-Star Game on Tuesday.