Twins thoughts: Offensive outburst, Connor Prielipp’s return lead to another big series win

Try not to pay too much attention to the aesthetics. Just know the Minnesota Twins did what they were supposed to this weekend.

Courtesy of an 11-8 victory over the Athletics on Sunday, the Twins won another series and gained ground on several teams in the American League wild-card race.

Ryan Jeffers, Kody Clemens and Ryan Kreidler each finished with three hits, and the Twins produced 13 overall as they moved within a game of Cleveland for the final wild-card spot. The Twins also moved a game ahead of Houston.

The Twins are 9-2-1 in their last 12 series and enter Monday’s off day with a 53-54 record. With the trade deadline now a week away, the Twins also remain 3 1/2 games behind Chicago in the AL Central.

The Twins need to keep collecting wins to convince the team’s front office to add before the Aug. 3 deadline. After stumbling in Friday’s series opener, a 2-0 loss, the Twins did what was expected of them and handled a lesser team at home.

The Twins eked out a two-run win Saturday. On Sunday, they jumped out to an early seven-run lead before holding off a late charge by the Athletics.

Inside the park homer for Kody!!!! pic.twitter.com/jyBwk5M6i8

— Minnesota Twins (@Twins) July 26, 2026

Working on a pitch count, Connor Prielipp was outstanding and efficient, pitching into the sixth inning after being activated off the 15-day injured list earlier in the day. Prielipp relied heavily on fastballs to limit the Athletics to a run in 5 2/3 innings while striking out five batters.

Prielipp’s pitch velocities were mostly above his season averages, and he generated nine swings and misses in 72 pitches.

The offense supported Prielipp early and often. Clemens hit the first of his two triples to bring in a run in the first inning and scored on a throwing error to make it 3-0. An inning later, Jeffers singled in a pair to put the Twins ahead by six.

Kreidler, who doubled twice and tripled, stole third base in the fourth inning and scored on a throwing error to make it 7-0.

Pitching his first big league game since April 28, Cole Sands nearly gave the lead away. Sands allowed a three-run homer to Nick Kurtz, and the Athletics kept edging closer. Sands allowed five earned runs and recorded only one out.

But the Twins scored four times late to keep the Athletics at bay and secure another critical victory. Here are more Twins thoughts as the trade deadline approaches.

— Joe Ryan told reporters in Minneapolis there’s “zero concern” his arm fatigue would lead to an injured-list stint. Originally expected to start Sunday, the two-time All-Star won’t pitch until Wednesday against the Kansas City Royals after the team pushed back his next turn.

Ryan, who didn’t throw a normal mid-week bullpen ahead of surrendering a major-league record six home runs in Cleveland on July 20, threw a bullpen Saturday and said he’s progressing.

“We’re feeling good, and with the bullpen we’re getting back to normal,” Ryan told reporters.

Derek Shelton said Ryan was pushed back after a meeting between the manager, pitcher, pitching coach Pete Maki and athletic trainer Nick Paparesta.

“He just had some general arm fatigue,” Shelton said. “Let’s just move this back and get him back on track.’”

Ryan’s velocity dipped toward the end of his disastrous start in Cleveland. After pitching in the All-Star Game on July 14, Ryan didn’t participate in a bullpen session before his next outing. Shelton said Ryan was tired after a long week.

“The staff has done a good job of helping me get back to a good neutral place, and (I) threw a really good bullpen (Saturday), so we’re happy about it,” Ryan said.

— Fans’ frustration that Louis Varland is in the middle of a breakout campaign is completely understandable. Varland’s impossibly good with four seasons of team control left after this year. Only hurts more that he’s local.

But Kendry Rojas’ pitching makes it easy to see why the Twins were motivated to make the deal. Rojas is five years younger than Varland, and though his walk rate needs serious improvement, the goods are there. Rojas struck out five in four scoreless innings in Saturday’s win, giving him a 2.81 ERA in 25 2/3 innings this season. Back in spring training, Johan Santana said Rojas is already trying to become more of a pitcher than a thrower, a promising statement.

Throw in Alan Roden’s clutch abilities since he was promoted earlier this month — his July 8 walk-off, the game-tying single off Cade Smith on Thursday and Saturday’s game-winning hit — and this is hardly a lopsided trade.

— Though Vahn Lackey would love to reach the big leagues by next season, he’s focused on the work that will get him there.

The Twins’ first-round pick told WCCO Radio he’s in “one-step-at-a-time” mode. The Twins introduced the Georgia Tech product, and he threw out the first pitch at Target Field on Friday.

The No. 3 pick, Lackey is the team’s highest selection since they drafted Royce Lewis with the first pick in 2017. Fangraphs already lists Lackey as the 14th-rated prospect in baseball. While he’s aware of the hype, Lackey doesn’t seem concerned with high expectations.

“You definitely know the pressure is there,” Lackey said. “But I know I have so much further to go. I know I’m not a complete player right now. As long as I keep working at that every day, and as long as I keep trusting the work I put in off the field, on the field it’s just me performing and having a good time. The rest will take care of itself.”