Minneapolis Star-Tribune Oct 23, 2020
Nelson Cruz, Byron Buxton each win two awards from Twin Cities baseball writers
Nelson Cruz was named the team MP and won a leadership award; Byron Buxton won for his defensive play and community service.
Twinkie Town Oct 5, 2020
How Houston’s pitchers beat Minnesota’s hitters
Photo by Hannah Foslien/ The Astros’ pitching strategy was simple... and effective. Many factors can reasonably be pointed at as the cause of the playoff sweep that provided another disappointing end to a Twins season. Here’s a sampling of my favorites: Rocco Baldelli overmanaged Game 1. Josh Donaldson’s injury. Byron Buxton’s injury. Jorge Polanco’s error in the 9th inning of game 1. An over-reliance on a suddenly leaky bullpen. Bad luck on Eddie Rosario’s lineout with the bases loaded in the first inning of Game 1. You likely have your favorite among these and no doubt have...
Twinkie Town Oct 5, 2020
The curious case of Byron Buxton
Photo by Hannah Foslien/ Is what happened against Houston a problem going forward? In July of 2018, my first Twinkie Town post as Staff Writer dealt with how the Twins were mishandling Byron Buxton’s season. That year, the Twins tried to rush Buck back from a toe injury, then later refused to call him up to the big club when he finally was healthy. A complete and utter mess, to the point where Byron’s standing in the organization was being questioned. But then Paul Molitor was let go, and Rocco Baldelli’s first assignment—building a bridge to Buxton—seemed like a successful...
Minneapolis Star-Tribune Oct 2, 2020
Mystery of why Byron Buxton didn't start Game 2 still isn't solved
Alex Kirilloff, who hadn't played in a game since Sept. 8, 2019 — and that one was for the Pensacola Blue Wahoos — made his Major League debut in a playoff elimination game for the Twins on Tuesday. Because this is how things work, Kirilloff's first at bat came with the bases loaded and two outs in the crucial bottom of the first. He flied out to center — part of a day in which he hardly looked overmatched while hitting the ball hard a couple times, but one in which he could not write a Hollywood ending to the Twins' sad playoff script. Perhaps the most amazing thing: Kirilloff making...
Minneapolis Star-Tribune Sep 30, 2020
Byron Buxton sits at start of game, then gets picked off as pinch runner
Byron Buxton's 2020 season began with him out of the lineup because of a mid-foot sprain and interrupted by a left shoulder strain. It didn't end very well, either.
Twinkie Town Sep 30, 2020
Astros 3, Twins 1: Season ends early again
It’s not all your fault, Cody. It’s just part of being a member of the Minnesota Twins. | Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports Minnesota’s offensive woes continue as Twins are eliminated Another year. A new staff ace. A new opponent. Opening the playoffs at home. But it all ended in the same, all-too-familiar way: a punchless offensive attack and major in-game blunders. The day got off to an ominous start when the lineup was released without Byron Buxton’s name. It got weirder when the Twins acknowledged that there was an injury but wouldn’t disclose what it was. Alex Kirilloff...
Minneapolis Star-Tribune Sep 30, 2020
Buxton 'not 100%,' out of Twins lineup for Game 2 vs. Astros
The Minnesota Twins held center fielder Byron Buxton out of their lineup Wednesday for the elimination game against Houston for unspecified health reasons, five days after he was hit in the head by a pitch.
Minneapolis Star-Tribune Sep 30, 2020
With Byron Buxton out, Alex Kirilloff will make major league debut in Twins' elimination game today
In the Twins' most important game of the season, Alex Kirilloff will start in right field and hit sixth against the Astros in Game 2 of thea best-of-three Wild Card series.
Minneapolis Star-Tribune Sep 30, 2020
Alex Kirilloff will make major league debut in Twins' elimination game today
The 22-year-old outfielder is in the lineup, and Byron Buxton is out, with Max Kepler moving to center field.
Twinkie Town Sep 30, 2020
Five defining plays from Twins’ Game 1 loss to Astros
Sorry to remind you about some of these. Yep, the Minnesota Twins lost yet another playoff game. (At least it was to the Houston Astros and not the you-know-which-team-I’m-talking-about.) Yep, we’re going to go through the top five plays that defined the outcome of the game. And yep, there’s a poll at the end of this to express your opinion. 1. Eddie Rosario lines out, Miguel Sano grounds out with the bases loaded to end the first inning. The Twins batters had Astros starter Zack Greinke on thin ice right away. After a ground out by Luis Arraez, Byron Buxton singled and stole...
Minneapolis Star-Tribune Sep 29, 2020
Byron Buxton finally starts apart with his skills. He's in lineup for Game 1
The Twins began the season wondering when Byron Buxton would be healthy enough to play. Those health concerns continued, but he'll be in today's lineup.
Minneapolis Star-Tribune Sep 29, 2020
Byron Buxton finally starts apart with his skills. But will be healthy enough to play?
The Twins began the season wondering when Byron Buxton would be healthy enough to play. And they start the postseason today with a similar question.
