Twins Takeaways: Twins Squander Three-Run Lead in Crushing Loss to Padres

Defensive miscues and a seventh-inning bullpen meltdown erased Minnesota’s early advantage in a costly 7-5 loss.

Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Dean Kremer. Credit: David Frerker-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The Minnesota Twins lost the middle game of the series against the Padres by a score of 7-5 to drop to 63-67 on the season. It was a game where the Twins had the game in control before two errors and a bullpen meltdown led to a series loss.

Dean Kremer’s Outing

Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Dean Kremer. Credit: David Frerker-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Dean Kremer continues to give the Twins a good effort in his starts. On Saturday, Kremer labored a bit early in the game but got through it; the only early damage was on a solo home run off the bat of Jackson Merrill.

Kremer’s stuff in the outing was good, and he had the Padres off-balance until the sixth inning that saw a double, a walk, and a hard lineout before he was lifted for A.J. Minter, who, after giving up an RBI single to Merrill, kept the lead in tact. 

Kremer with the Twins in 22⅔ innings of work has posted a 3.18 ERA. That is a really solid option for the Twins to have in their rotation behind Joe Ryan in a potential playoff series. 

Dean Kremer (MIN) struck out five and allowed a pair of earned runs in 5.1 innings pic.twitter.com/jqOpkMsosw

— Pitcher List Stats (@PitcherListPLV) August 23, 2026

Twins' Offense

Minnesota Twins third baseman Brooks Lee celebrates with right fielder Luke Keaschall. Credit: David Frerker-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

After a quiet offensive showing in the series opener, the offense got an early start and never wavered. Luke Keashall led off the game with a solo home run off Padres starter Casey Mize. It was his 8th home run of the season and the second he hit against Mize this season. That was only the start of the home party.

Brooks Lee and Kaelen Culpepper, in the third inning, hit back-to-back home runs off Mize. It was the sixth time this season the Twins hit back-to-back home runs, and the first time either Lee or Culpepper was part of the action.

Beginning the third inning, Padres starter Mize was visited by the athletic trainer. The entire inning it seemed like something was up, and after a two-out double off the bat of Ryan Jeffers, Mize was removed from the start.

The Twins went on to tack on a run on a Kody Clemens RBI single off Kyle Hart to end Mize’s line with four runs surrendered over 2.2 innings of work. 

“Yeah, we did a good job. Twins' manager, Derek Shelton, said of the Twins' approach against Mize postgame on Twins.TV. “I mean, we had a good approach. We came out and we drove some balls out of the ballpark.”

The Twins did an excellent job working at-bats against Mize, making hard contact and scoring runs. In postseason play, that is the way to get starters out of games and score runs. Tonight’s performance against Mize was a great sign for the Twins' offense going forward.

With all that good, the Twins' inability to tack on runs with the bases loaded and one out in the sixth inning ended up being the difference in the contest.

“I think we have to capitalize in that inning.” Shelton said postgame to Twins.TV “We got to push a run across, and you know they executed pitches. But yeah, I think that was a big spot in the game.”

A Bullpen Meltdown

Minnesota Twins shortstop Kaelen Culpepper. Credit: David Frerker-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The Twins went to Andrew Morris leading by three runs in the seventh inning. After getting a quick first out, Jeffers committed catcher's interference, which allowed Freddy Fermin to reach first in front of the top of the lineup. A single by Fernando Tatis Jr. and an RBI double by Jake Cronenworth made it a one-run game.

Then, the wheels fell off. Manny Machado hit a ground ball to shortstop, and Culpepper attempted to get the out at third base, but he threw the ball away, allowing the tying run to score and Machado to advance to second base. A bloop hit by former Twin Ty France and the Twins' lead was gone.

The game is tied. Culpepper threw the ball away trying to get Crownenwoth advancing to third. It did not work.

Pete Maki is out to calm things down. pic.twitter.com/nblmsiUAjq

— Matthew Nethercott (@MattNethercott_) August 23, 2026

“I don't know if it's the wrong decision.” Shelton said postgame to Twins.TV of the throw from Culpepper. “I think that's a 50/50 decision. I mean, with one out, you can throw the ball across. I don't know if Brooksy got blocked on it because it looked like he didn't make a bad throw. Overall, having not seen the replay of it, it's one of those 50/50 balls.”

It was another example of poor fundamentals all around. If the Twins had held onto the lead tonight, they would have been tied for the final wild card spot once again. It’s still in reach, but every game matters, and the Twins can’t afford to give away games in the way they did tonight. 

What’s Next?

The Twins will look to salvage a game in the three-game series before heading up the coast to Sacramento. For the Twins, it will be RHP Bailey Ober, who is 7-4 with a 4.62 ERA on the season. For the Padres, it will be RHP Walker Buehler, who is 7-6 with a 4.79 ERA. First pitch Sunday will be at 3:10 PM CT on TwinsTV.