--- title: "Twins escape 7-run meltdown with Lewis walk-off in 10th" description: "Royce Lewis drives in the go-ahead run in extras as Minnesota holds on after squandering a seven-run cushion." url: https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/twins-beat-the-rockies-9-8-in-10-innings-after-blowing-a-7-r-221a2c78 published: 2026-06-30T09:30:31.933+00:00 updated: 2026-06-30T09:30:31.933+00:00 author: "Kostadin Stamboliev" publisher: "Pineido" site: "Sportopod" language: en topics: ["baseball"] --- # Twins escape 7-run meltdown with Lewis walk-off in 10th > Royce Lewis drives in the go-ahead run in extras as Minnesota holds on after squandering a seven-run cushion. Royce Lewis erased a seven-run deficit with a 10th-inning RBI single, propelling the Minnesota Twins to a 9-8 victory over the Colorado Rockies at Target Field on Friday night. The Twins built a 7-0 lead by the third inning, but the Rockies stormed back with five runs in the sixth and two more in the eighth to tie the game at 8-8. Lewis’s go-ahead hit in the 10th capped a chaotic comeback, salvaging a messy win that keeps Minnesota’s playoff push alive. The collapse began in the sixth when Colorado’s Nolan Arenado and Brendan Rodgers combined for a three-run homer and a two-run single, slicing the Twins’ lead to 7-5. The Rockies tied it in the eighth on a sacrifice fly by Ryan McMahon off Twins reliever Jorge Alcala, setting the stage for extras. Minnesota’s bullpen—already shaky—allowed the late surge, but Lewis’s clutch hit in the 10th sealed the deal. Royce Lewis finished 2-for-5 with two RBIs, including the game-winner. His performance continued a strong stretch, providing a rare bright spot amid the bullpen’s struggles. The Twins’ offense, led by Lewis and Byron Buxton (3-for-5), bailed out a pitching staff that coughed up leads in both regulation and extras. Minnesota’s bullpen ERA sits at 4.12, the third-worst in the AL, making Lewis’s heroics even more critical in a tight division race. Colorado starter Germán Márquez allowed six runs in 4.2 innings but escaped with a no-decision. The Rockies’ bullpen, typically reliable, melted down late, allowing the Twins to escape with the win. Manager Bud Black called it a "gut-punch loss" but acknowledged the Twins’ resilience. The loss extends Colorado’s struggles in one-run games, where they’re now 12-22 this season, a trend that’s buried them in the NL West. What made this collapse particularly brutal was the Twins’ inability to hold a lead despite their offensive firepower. Minnesota entered the game ranked fourth in the AL in runs scored, yet their pitching staff—including a bullpen with the third-highest ERA in the league—couldn’t protect even a seven-run cushion. The sequence exposed a disconnect between the team’s potent lineup and its shaky arms, a mismatch that’s haunted them all season. For the Rockies, the loss was another data point in their ongoing late-inning dysfunction. Colorado has now lost five games this year after blowing leads in the final two innings, a pattern that’s cost them dearly in a competitive NL West. The collapse against Minnesota marked the fourth time this month they’ve allowed multi-run leads to slip away, underscoring a systemic issue that’s far from isolated. Colorado’s late-inning collapses have become a season-long narrative, with five losses this year where they’ve blown leads in the final two innings. The Twins, meanwhile, have won four of their last five extra-inning games, showcasing their knack for grinding out wins when it matters most. What's next: The Twins (72-58) face the Chicago White Sox on Saturday in a critical series for the AL Central race. Minnesota’s ability to win despite shaky pitching will be tested against a White Sox team that ranks in the top five in bullpen ERA. The Rockies (56-74) look to regroup after blowing another late lead, with a four-game homestand against the Dodgers and Padres looming as a potential turning point. Colorado manager Bud Black admitted his team’s late-game execution has been "inconsistent," while Twins skipper Rocco Baldelli praised Lewis’s "mental toughness" in the face of a high-leverage moment. What's next: The Twins (72-58) face the Chicago White Sox on Saturday in a critical series for the AL Central race. The Rockies (56-74) look to regroup after blowing another late lead. Minnesota’s ability to win despite shaky pitching will be tested against a White Sox team that ranks in the top five in bullpen ERA. ## Why this matters Blowing a seven-run lead usually ends in defeat, but the Twins showed that resilience—not perfection—wins ballgames. Royce Lewis’s walk-off hit underscores Minnesota’s ability to grind out wins even when the pitching staff falters. In a tight playoff race, every extra-inning survival matters, proving that standings points don’t care how messy the path. The Rockies’ latest collapse highlights their inability to close games, a deficiency that’s cost them dearly in a crowded NL West where every loss stings. Their late-inning struggles have become a defining weakness, one that’s eroded fan trust and front-office confidence alike. ## Frequently asked ### How did the Twins blow a 7-run lead? The Rockies scored five runs in the sixth inning, including a three-run homer by Nolan Arenado, and added two more in the eighth on a sacrifice fly by Ryan McMahon, tying the game at 8-8. ### Who drove in the winning run for the Twins? Royce Lewis delivered the go-ahead RBI single in the 10th inning, capping a 2-for-5 night with two RBIs. ### What was the pitching staff’s role in the win? The Twins’ bullpen allowed the late surge, but the offense bailed them out. Jorge Alcala gave up the tying run in the eighth, while starter Joe Ryan allowed six runs in 4.2 innings. ### How does this win impact the Twins’ playoff chances? The win keeps Minnesota’s playoff push alive, improving their record to 72-58. Every extra-inning survival adds a crucial point in the tight AL Central race. ### What’s next for the Twins and Rockies? The Twins face the Chicago White Sox on Saturday, while the Rockies look to regroup after blowing another late lead in a 56-74 season. ### How often do the Rockies blow late leads? Colorado has lost five games this season after blowing leads in the final two innings, a trend that’s undermined their NL West push. ## Sources & Citations - [Twins beat the Rockies 9-8 in 10 innings after blowing a 7-run lead](http://www.espn.com/mlb/recap?gameId=401815915) — ESPN (2026-06-27) --- Cite: Twins escape 7-run meltdown with Lewis walk-off in 10th. Sportopod, 2026-06-30. https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/twins-beat-the-rockies-9-8-in-10-innings-after-blowing-a-7-r-221a2c78