Cincinnati Reds vs. Minnesota Twins Match Series Analysis: 2025 MLB Season

The Cincinnati Reds and Minnesota Twins faced off three times during the 2025 MLB regular season, producing a competitive interleague series marked by dramatic rallies, power hitting, and weather interruptions. This article delivers a comprehensive review of their matchups on June 17, June 18, and June 19, 2025, at Great American Ball Park, drawing from reliable sources including ESPN, Baseball-Reference.com, MLB.com, and CBSSports.com. We examine each game through summaries, verified player and pitching stats, and key plays, with broader series context provided throughout.

Game Highlights

• Sport: Baseball
• League: MLB (Major League Baseball)
• Matchup: Cincinnati Reds vs Minnesota Twins Match Player Stats
• Games Covered:
  • Game 1: June 17, 2025
  • Game 2: June 18, 2025
  • Game 3: June 19, 2025
• Series Result: Reds won the series 2–1

Series Overview: Cincinnati Reds vs. Minnesota Twins, 2025 MLB Season

The Cincinnati Reds captured the series 2–1 against the Minnesota Twins, prevailing 6–5 on June 17 and 4–2 on June 18 (rain-shortened), before falling 12–5 on June 19. Phoenix’s clutch hitting from TJ Friedl and Spencer Steer, combined with effective relief pitching, outpaced the Twins’ sporadic power displays from Byron Buxton and Harrison Bader. Below is a summary of the results:

• Game 1 (June 17, 2025): Cincinnati Reds 6, Minnesota Twins 5
• Game 2 (June 18, 2025): Cincinnati Reds 4, Minnesota Twins 2 (6 innings, rain-shortened)
• Game 3 (June 19, 2025): Minnesota Twins 12, Cincinnati Reds 5

The Reds’ resilience in close contests propelled their NL wild-card chase, while the Twins’ Game 3 explosion snapped a skid but exposed pitching inconsistencies.

Game 1: Cincinnati Reds 6, Minnesota Twins 5 (June 17, 2025)

Game Summary

The Cincinnati Reds erased a late deficit to defeat the Minnesota Twins 6–5 on June 17, 2025, at Great American Ball Park, extending their win streak to three. TJ Friedl’s two-out, two-run double in the sixth flipped a 5–4 deficit, while a throwing error by third baseman Christian Encarnacion-Strand fueled the Twins’ mid-game surge. Andrew Abbott navigated through five runs (one earned) over six innings, with Scott Barlow (2–0) earning the win and Emilio Pagán notching his 17th save in a perfect ninth. Attendance: 26,153; game time: 3:04.

Key Player Stats: Cincinnati Reds

• TJ Friedl (CF): 2-for-4, 2 RBI, 1 2B, 0 HR, 0 BB, 0 SO. Friedl’s sixth-inning double off Brock Stewart scored the go-ahead runs.
• Will Benson (LF): 1-for-3, 2 RBI, 1 2B, 0 HR, 1 BB, 1 SO. Benson’s fourth-inning double gave the Reds a 2–1 lead.
• Jake Fraley (RF): 1-for-4, 2 RBI, 0 2B, 0 HR, 0 BB, 1 SO. Fraley’s fourth-inning single extended the advantage to 4–1.
• Elly De La Cruz (SS): 1-for-4, 0 RBI, 0 2B, 0 HR, 0 BB, 2 SO. De La Cruz contributed with a single and stolen base, pressuring the defense.
• Spencer Steer (1B): 1-for-3, 0 RBI, 0 2B, 0 HR, 1 BB, 1 SO. Steer’s sixth-inning single set the table for Friedl’s heroics.
• Andrew Abbott (P): 6.0 IP, 7 H, 5 R (1 ER), 2 HR, 0 BB, 5 SO, 90 pitches. Abbott escaped jams effectively despite the error-aided rally.
• Scott Barlow (P, Win): 1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 HR, 0 BB, 2 SO, 17 pitches. Barlow shut down the Twins post-rally.
• Emilio Pagán (P, Save): 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 HR, 0 BB, 2 SO, 12 pitches. Pagán closed with a 1-2-3 ninth.
• Inactives: None reported for this game.

Team Stats: 5 H, 0 HR, 7 TB, 9 LOB, 1 E (Encarnacion-Strand throwing error), 6 R (6 ER), 8 H allowed, 5 R allowed (5 ER), 2 HR allowed. The Reds capitalized on 2 Twins errors for unearned runs, finishing 5-for-18 with RISP.

Key Player Stats: Minnesota Twins

• Byron Buxton (CF): 2-for-4, 1 RBI, 0 2B, 1 HR, 0 BB, 1 SO. Buxton’s third-inning solo homer opened scoring (1–0).
• Harrison Bader (RF): 1-for-4, 3 RBI, 0 2B, 1 HR, 0 BB, 1 SO. Bader’s sixth-inning three-run homer gave a 5–4 lead.
• Trevor Larnach (LF): 2-for-4, 0 RBI, 1 2B, 0 HR, 1 BB, 1 SO. Larnach doubled in the sixth, loading bases for Bader.
• David Festa (P): 3.2 IP, 4 H, 4 R (2 ER), 0 HR, 2 BB, 3 SO, 81 pitches. Festa exited early with a right hand contusion after Benson’s double.
• Brock Stewart (P, Loss 1–1): 1.1 IP, 2 H, 2 R (2 ER), 0 HR, 0 BB, 1 SO, 33 pitches. Stewart surrendered Friedl’s go-ahead double.
• Inactives: None reported.

Team Stats: 8 H, 2 HR, 15 TB, 6 LOB, 2 E, 5 R (5 ER), 5 H allowed, 6 R allowed (6 ER), 0 HR allowed. Twins left 6 runners on base in scoring position, stranding opportunities late.

Critical Moments

• Top 3rd (MIN 1, CIN 0): Buxton’s solo homer off Abbott put the Twins up 1–0.
• Bottom 4th (CIN 4, MIN 1): Benson’s two-run double and Fraley’s two-RBI single built a 4–1 cushion after Festa’s exit.
• Top 6th (MIN 5, CIN 4): Encarnacion-Strand’s error and Larnach’s double set up Bader’s three-run homer for a 5–4 Twins lead.
• Bottom 6th (CIN 6, MIN 5): Steer’s single and Friedl’s two-run double reclaimed the lead at 6–5 off Stewart.

Game 2: Cincinnati Reds 4, Minnesota Twins 2 (June 18, 2025)

Game Summary

The Cincinnati Reds topped the Minnesota Twins 4–2 on June 18, 2025, at Great American Ball Park in a rain-shortened affair halted after six innings. Spencer Steer’s two-run homer in the fourth provided the decisive margin, with Nick Lodolo delivering five strong innings (3 H, 2 R). The Reds improved to four games over .500 (39–35), winning their fourth straight. Attendance: 25,911; game time: 1:33.

Key Player Stats: Cincinnati Reds

• Spencer Steer (1B): 1-for-3, 2 RBI, 0 2B, 1 HR, 1 BB, 0 SO. Steer’s fourth-inning two-run homer made it 2–0.
• Jonathan India (2B): 1-for-2, 0 RBI, 0 2B, 0 HR, 1 BB, 0 SO. India’s walk preceded Steer’s homer.
• Will Benson (LF): 1-for-2, 1 RBI, 0 2B, 0 HR, 1 BB, 1 SO. Benson’s fifth-inning single plated an insurance run (4–1).
• Elly De La Cruz (SS): 1-for-3, 0 RBI, 0 2B, 0 HR, 0 BB, 1 SO, 1 SB. De La Cruz swiped a bag, creating early threats.
• Nick Lodolo (P, Win 4–5): 5.0 IP, 3 H, 2 R (2 ER), 1 HR, 2 BB, 5 SO, 80 pitches (3.76 ERA). Lodolo limited damage after Buxton’s leadoff blast.
• Inactives: None reported.

Team Stats: 8 H, 1 HR, 12 TB, 5 LOB, 0 E, 4 R (4 ER), 3 H allowed, 2 R allowed (2 ER), 1 HR allowed. Reds went 3-for-9 with RISP, efficient in short bursts.

Key Player Stats: Minnesota Twins

• Byron Buxton (CF): 1-for-2, 1 RBI, 0 2B, 1 HR, 1 BB, 1 SO. Buxton’s leadoff homer in the first tied his career high (11th).
• Trevor Larnach (LF): 1-for-2, 1 RBI, 0 2B, 0 HR, 0 BB, 1 SO. Larnach’s sixth-inning single scored a run (4–2).
• Bailey Ober (P, Loss 4–3): 5.0 IP, 7 H, 4 R (4 ER), 1 HR, 2 BB, 4 SO, 85 pitches (4.40 ERA). Ober yielded Steer’s homer and faded late.
• Inactives: None reported.

Team Stats: 3 H, 1 HR, 7 TB, 4 LOB, 1 E, 2 R (2 ER), 8 H allowed, 4 R allowed (4 ER), 1 HR allowed. Twins stranded 4 in scoring position, hampered by rain.

Critical Moments

• Top 1st (MIN 1, CIN 0): Buxton’s leadoff homer off Lodolo gave the Twins an early edge.
• Bottom 4th (CIN 2, MIN 1): Steer’s two-run homer after India’s walk pushed ahead 2–1.
• Bottom 5th (CIN 4, MIN 1): Benson’s RBI single and a passed ball made it 4–1.
• Top 6th (CIN 4, MIN 2): Larnach’s single scored a run, but rain ended play.

Game 3: Minnesota Twins 12, Cincinnati Reds 5 (June 19, 2025)

Game Summary

The Minnesota Twins routed the Cincinnati Reds 12–5 on June 19, 2025, at Great American Ball Park, halting a six-game skid with a barrage of power. Byron Buxton launched two homers (including a leadoff shot and back-to-back with Kody Clemens), while Ryan Jeffers added a homer and four RBI. Reds starter Nick Martinez (4–8) labored through 2.2 innings, allowing seven runs. The Twins snapped Cincinnati’s home win streak at five. Attendance: 27,306; game time: 3:06.

Key Player Stats: Minnesota Twins

• Byron Buxton (CF): 3-for-6, 2 RBI, 0 2B, 2 HR, 0 BB, 1 SO. Buxton’s leadoff HR and back-to-back blast fueled a 3–1 lead.
• Ryan Jeffers (C): 2-for-4, 4 RBI, 0 2B, 1 HR, 1 BB, 0 SO. Jeffers’ three-run homer in the second built a 6–1 cushion.
• Kody Clemens (2B): 1-for-4, 2 RBI, 0 2B, 1 HR, 0 BB, 1 SO. Clemens’ back-to-back HR with Buxton extended the rally.
• Chris Paddack (P, Win 2–6): 6.0 IP, 6 H, 3 R (3 ER), 0 HR, 2 BB, 6 SO, 95 pitches (4.30 ERA). Paddack rebounded, allowing just one run after the second.
• Inactives: None reported.

Team Stats: 15 H, 4 HR, 28 TB, 7 LOB, 0 E, 12 R (12 ER), 6 H allowed, 5 R allowed (5 ER), 0 HR allowed. Twins exploded for 10 runs through five, going 7-for-14 with RISP.

Key Player Stats: Cincinnati Reds

• Elly De La Cruz (SS): 2-for-4, 1 RBI, 0 2B, 0 HR, 1 BB, 1 SO. De La Cruz’s third-inning single drove in a run (3–2).
• Tyler Stephenson (C): 1-for-4, 1 RBI, 0 2B, 0 HR, 0 BB, 1 SO. Stephenson’s first-inning single scored the Reds’ opener.
• Ty France (1B): 1-for-3, 1 R, 0 RBI, 0 2B, 0 HR, 1 BB, 0 SO. France scored on Stephenson’s hit.
• Nick Martinez (P, Loss 4–8): 2.2 IP, 7 H, 7 R (7 ER), 3 HR, 1 BB, 2 SO, 65 pitches (3.92 ERA). Martinez collapsed early, yielding three homers.
• Inactives: None reported.

Team Stats: 6 H, 0 HR, 7 TB, 8 LOB, 1 E, 5 R (5 ER), 15 H allowed, 12 R allowed (12 ER), 4 HR allowed. Reds managed two runs in the second but couldn’t stem the tide.

Critical Moments

• Bottom 1st (CIN 1, MIN 0): Stephenson’s single scored France for a quick 1–0 lead off Paddack.
• Top 2nd (MIN 3, CIN 1): Buxton’s leadoff HR and Clemens’ two-run shot made it 3–1.
• Top 2nd (MIN 6, CIN 1): Jeffers’ three-run homer off Martinez ballooned the lead to 6–1.
• Bottom 3rd (MIN 6, CIN 2): De La Cruz’s RBI single trimmed it to 6–2, but the Twins added six more.

Head-to-Head Analysis

The Reds and Twins have met 37 times historically, with Cincinnati holding a slim 19–18 edge (51.4% win rate). In 2025, the Reds’ 2–1 series victory featured superior situational hitting (e.g., Friedl’s 6th-inning double) and fewer errors (1 total vs. Twins’ 3). Twins averaged 6.7 runs per game but faltered in relief (5.00 ERA across series). Reds’ bullpen posted a 1.42 ERA, key in tight wins. No postseason meetings between the clubs.

In 2025, the Reds excelled in:

• Clutch Hitting: 5-for-13 with RISP in wins (Games 1–2).
• Starting Pitching: Lodolo and Abbott combined for 11.0 IP, 7 R (3 ER).
• Defense: Just 1 error, converting 75% of double-play chances.

The Twins shone in:

• Power Output: 5 HR, led by Buxton’s .583 AVG (7-for-12).
• Late Innings: 7 runs after 5th in Game 3.
• Patience: 5 BB in Game 3, forcing 3 Reds errors indirectly.

Series Standouts

Cincinnati Reds

• TJ Friedl: Clutch performer with the series-winning double (Game 1, 2-for-4, 2 RBI), batting .333 (3-for-9) overall.
• Spencer Steer: Power threat with a two-run HR (Game 2), .400 AVG (4-for-10), 2 RBI.
• Nick Lodolo: Steady arm with 5.0 IP, 2 ER (Game 2), anchoring the rotation at 3.76 ERA.

Minnesota Twins

• Byron Buxton: Dominant with 3 HR, 5 RBI across games, .583 AVG (7-for-12), including Game 3’s two blasts.
• Ryan Jeffers: Breakout in finale (4 RBI, 1 HR), providing lineup protection.
• Chris Paddack: Bounce-back win (6.0 IP, 3 ER in Game 3), stabilizing after losses.

Team Performance Context

Cincinnati Reds (39–36 by June 19)

The Reds reached a season-high four games over .500 after Game 2, one game from the NL’s third wild-card spot with a 9–3 stretch in their last 12. Offense averaged 5.0 RPG in the series, bolstered by De La Cruz (.444 AVG) and Friedl; pitching held foes to 4.3 ERA. Home record: 19–16 pre-series.

Minnesota Twins (36–37 by June 19)

The Twins ended a six-game skid but sat mid-AL Central, 6–6 in last 12. Buxton’s 13 HR led the team (4.8 RPG offense), but starters posted 5.50 ERA in losses. Road woes: 16–24 pre-series.

Injury and Roster Notes

• Cincinnati Reds: No new injuries during the series. Hunter Greene (groin) and Jeimer Candelario (back) were on IL pre-series, shifting reliance to Lodolo and Martinez. Encarnacion-Strand’s Game 1 error was non-injury related.
• Minnesota Twins: David Festa exited Game 1 with a right hand contusion (no IL placement noted). Pablo Lopez (forearm) and Zebby Matthews (shoulder) were sidelined earlier, thinning the rotation. Chris Paddack available post-60-day IL transfer.

Conclusion

The Cincinnati Reds claimed a 2–1 series win over the Minnesota Twins in their 2025 MLB matchup, triumphing 6–5 on June 17 and 4–2 (rain) on June 18, before a 12–5 Twins rout on June 19. TJ Friedl’s timely double, Spencer Steer’s homer, and bullpen dominance drove Cincinnati’s success, while Byron Buxton’s multi-HR explosion powered Minnesota’s finale. The series affirmed the Reds’ wild-card momentum and the Twins’ need for rotation depth. For full box scores and highlights, check ESPN, Baseball-Reference.com, MLB.com, or CBSSports.com.

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