Bottom of lineup, bullpen heroics fuel Brewers’ sweep of Twins

MINNEAPOLIS, MN – Rhys Hoskins powered the Milwaukee Brewers to a thrilling 8-7 victory over the Minnesota Twins with a crucial two-run homer in the eighth inning at Target Field on Sunday. Hoskins’ blast off Twins reliever Griffin Jax (3-4), his 15th of the season, broke a 5-5 tie and proved decisive. Despite a fan grabbing the ball before Minnesota left fielder Austin Martin could react, the play stood after review confirmed the ball did not interfere with play.

Rookie Jackson Chourio also played a pivotal role, contributing a home run and three RBIs. His game-tying homer in the seventh inning followed a spectacular defensive grab in foul territory in the sixth. Reflecting on his performance, Chourio humorously debated whether he enjoyed his crucial catch or his 443-foot homer more.

Milwaukee’s Eric Haase added two solo homers, marking his sixth career multi-homer game. Their offensive prowess helped compensate for a challenging outing by starter Aaron Civale, who struggled through 4 1/3 innings, allowing five earned runs and walking four.

In relief, Jared Koenig (8-1) returned from injury with a scoreless inning to earn the win, while closer Trevor Megill secured his 19th save despite allowing two runs in the ninth.

Minnesota threatened in the eighth, loading the bases with no outs, but failed to capitalize against reliever Elvis Peguero. Twins starter Joe Ryan delivered a solid performance over six innings, yielding four runs, including a solo shot to Haase and a critical three-run fifth capped by Chourio’s two-run double.

Byron Buxton launched two solo homers for the Twins in a losing effort. The game started 49 minutes late due to rain.

Looking ahead, Milwaukee’s RHP Tobias Myers (6-3, 3.13 ERA) is set to face the Chicago Cubs on Monday, while Minnesota’s RHP Bailey Ober (8-5, 4.14 ERA) will take on Philadelphia in a three-game series opener.

(Photo courtesy of Twins)