Twins Power Surge

Taj Bradley Ties a Franchise Strikeout Record

Twins starter Taj Bradley was untouchable. He struck out 11 batters in five innings, giving up just one run on four hits. More striking: he retired 10 batters in a row by strikeout, tying a Minnesota franchise record. The performance moved him to 7-3 on the season. Lancaster Online noted that Bradley, acquired from Tampa Bay in a 2025 trade, has quietly become the anchor of a rotation hit hard by injuries.

Bradley's slider and fastball velocity have both climbed in 2026, according to Statcast data. Fans on Reddit's r/minnesotatwins pointed to the 10-strikeout streak as a turning point for optimism, even as the team committed two errors in the same game. Luke Keaschall added a solo homer in the eighth to push the final score to 8-3.

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Imai's Struggles Leave Houston Searching for Answers

Tatsuya Imai was a disaster. The high-profile Japanese signee — brought in on a three-year deal to replace Framber Valdez — threw 57 pitches and recorded just four outs. He walked five batters and struck out two, allowing five runs. His ERA and control issues have made him what Astros manager Joe Espada called an "enigma" — someone who can look "Cy Young-caliber" one start and fail to reach the second inning the next.

Imai did co-author a combined no-hitter against Texas on May 25. But he has now failed to exit the second inning in three separate starts this season. The loss drops Houston to 43-46 and snaps a five-series winning streak. KDH News reported that the Astros also lost second baseman Raynel Delgado to a dislocated right pinky finger during the game.

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Bell Extends His MLB-Best Road Hitting Streak to 16 Games

Josh Bell's homer was more than just a big swing. It extended his road hitting streak to 16 games — a career high and the longest active streak in Major League Baseball. Bell now has 11 home runs on the season. His 452-foot shot left his bat at 112.6 mph. Twins manager Derek Shelton praised the team's "consistency of approach" at the plate after a rough stretch earlier in the year.

Mick Abel's Surgery Adds to Minnesota's Rotation Worries

The good news ended there for Twins pitching depth. Right-hander Mick Abel underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right elbow during the game, though the team said the procedure addressed "loose bodies" rather than ligament damage. No timetable was set for his return. News-Gazette noted the surgery adds more pressure on an already thin rotation that lost All-Star Pablo Lopez for the season.

Bailey Ober offers a lifeline. He is expected to make a rehab start for Triple-A St. Paul on Saturday — possibly his last before returning to the Twins' rotation. Ober has been out with a right flexor strain. Idaho Statesman reported that if Ober suffers any setback, Minnesota could shift from buyer to seller before the late-July trade deadline.

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