Bradley passes 200 strikeouts, pitches Twins to 3-2 win over Giants

Taj Bradley of the Minnesota Twins achieved a significant milestone on Tuesday night, as he struck out Drew Gilbert leading off the first inning, propelling him to his 200th strikeout of the season. Bradley, who has a 12-6 record, became the ninth pitcher in major league history to reach the 200-strikeout plateau during the 2026 season. His previous career high was 154 strikeouts, set with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2024.

The Twins' victory over the San Francisco Giants was a close one, as the Giants managed to score a run in the ninth inning and had runners at first and second with two outs before reliever Jeff Hoffman sent Victor Bericoto swinging on a 3-2 slider, sealing his sixth save of the season. The Giants' starting pitcher, Anthony Molina, struggled in the early innings, retiring the first 10 Minnesota hitters before Brooks Lee singled in the fourth inning.

Ryan Kreidler and Luke Keaschall contributed to the Twins' one-run lead in the sixth inning, with Kreidler singling and Keaschall hitting a triple to left-center. Lee then drove in Keaschall with a single to right, putting the Twins ahead. Molina allowed two runs on four hits over six innings, striking out six and walking just one.

In the seventh inning, Walker Jenkins soared over the wall with his fourth home run of the season, extending Minnesota's lead to 3-1. The Giants managed to score their first run in the second inning on a safety-squeeze bunt by Drew Cavanaugh, which brought home Shay Whitcomb.

The Twins' starting pitcher for the next game against the Giants will be Connor Prielipp, who has a 6-7 record and a 4.94 ERA. He will face Giants left-handed pitcher Cesar Perdomo, who has a 0-1 record and a 3.72 ERA.