Detroit Lakes, MN (KDLM) – A late bullpen meltdown cost the Minnesota Twins the rubber match of their three-game series with the Seattle Mariners on Wednesday, as the Twins dropped a 5-3 decision at Target Field.
Minnesota carried a 3-2 lead into the 9th inning before reliever Eric Orze unraveled, surrendering three runs while recording just one out. Orze took his 1st loss of the season in relief. Mariners second baseman Cole Young delivered the decisive blow, driving in a pair of runs to flip the game.
Shortstop Brooks Lee paced the Twins offense with two hits and two RBI, and catcher Ryan Jeffers added a pair of hits. Minnesota out-hit Seattle 12 to 7 but went just 3-for-12 with runners in scoring position.
The loss wasted a strong outing from starter Taj Bradley, who allowed two earned runs over seven innings while striking out seven. Seattle’s J.P. Crawford was responsible for one of those runs with a solo home run.
Mariners reliever Cooper Criswell picked up the win, and closer Andrés Muñoz worked a scoreless 9th for the save.
The Twins fall to 13-18 on the season and now open a four-game home set against the Toronto Blue Jays. Right-hander Bailey Ober gets the start for Minnesota tonight at Target Field. First pitch is at 6:40 p.m.
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