Twins swept by Reds, lose 7-4 in 10 innings as bullpen, defense falters

Bobby Nightengale, The Minnesota Star Tribune on Apr 19, 2026

Published in Baseball

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MINNEAPOLIS — The Minnesota Twins were swept in their three-game series against the Cincinnati Reds Sunday in a 7-4 loss in 10 innings that came down to a beleaguered bullpen and ugly defensive play.

Twins reliever Garrett Acton, designated for assignment by the Miami Marlins at the end of March, induced a ground ball against Eugenio Suárez in the 10th inning. Twins third baseman Tristan Gray mishandled the one-hopper, and left fielder Austin Martin fumbled the ball when he tried to pick it up barehanded, allowing Elly De La Cruz to score from second base on a grounder to third.

Reds right fielder Rece Hinds compounded the two errors when he hit a two-run double to left field.

The Twins, who have lost four straight games, had a two-run lead in the ninth inning. Bailey Ober gave up one unearned run in 6 1/3 innings, striking out a season-high 10 batters, but that still left eight outs — eventually, 11 — for an unproven Twins bullpen.

In a two-run game, Twins manager Derek Shelton asked Andrew Morris to pitch the final two innings in his second career major league appearance. The decision backfired when Morris gave up three runs and the lead in the top of the ninth inning.

The Twins were likely working without relievers Cole Sands, Justin Topa and Kody Funderburk, who all pitched in each of the previous two games. Left-hander Taylor Rogers stranded two runners in the seventh inning, retiring both batters he faced after Ober exited.

The Reds loaded the bases in the ninth inning with two singles and a walk. After pitching coach Pete Maki paid Morris a mound visit, TJ Friedl lined a three-run double into the right-center gap and the Reds dugout erupted with cheers.

Cincinnati’s bullpen had pitched 20 1/3 consecutive innings without giving up an earned run before Reds closer and former Twins reliever Emilio Pagán blew a save. James Outman, who ended a 0 for 19 slump with a fourth-inning single, hit a leadoff double and Martin, two batters later, hit a tying RBI double down the third base line.

The Twins begin a six-game road trip Tuesday where they will face the New York Mets and Tampa Bay Rays. The Mets have lost 11 games in a row.

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