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Jun 18, 20261
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Twins Complete Series Sweep Over Rangers with Dominant 9-3 Victory
The Minnesota Twins swept the Texas Rangers with a 9-3 victory on Thursday, with Brooks Lee hitting a three-run home run in a dominant first inning. Minnesota scored multiple runs in the first inning for the third consecutive game of the series, and Joe Ryan pitched five scoreless innings for the Twins.
Quick Facts
Who
Minnesota Twins
What
Series sweep completed
When
Thursday, June 18, 2026
Where
Arlington, Texas
- Series sweep completed
- Twins defeated Rangers
- Brooks Lee hit three-run home run
- Minnesota scored four runs in first inning
- Trevor Larnach hit two-run home run
The Minnesota Twins completed a series sweep of the Texas Rangers with a commanding 9-3 victory on Thursday in Arlington, led by a powerful first-inning performance that has become their trademark in this series. Brooks Lee hit a three-run home run to cap a four-run first inning, marking the third consecutive game in which Minnesota scored multiple runs in the opening frame. Lee's 12th home run of the season came off Rangers starter Jack Leiter, who fell to 3-7 on the season.
The Twins extended their lead throughout the game with timely hitting. Trevor Larnach doubled the advantage to 6-0 in the fourth inning with a two-run home run into center field that barely cleared the outstretched glove of Mexican fielder Alejandro Osuna. Larnach contributed again in the fifth with a run-scoring single, and Ryan Kriedler added a two-run homer in the eighth to round out Minnesota's scoring.
On the mound, Twins pitcher Joe Ryan (5-3) was efficient through five scoreless innings, striking out seven batters while allowing just three singles on 97 pitches. Leiter departed after four innings having allowed 17 runs over his three consecutive losing starts. The Rangers' offense managed only solo home runs from Wyatt Langford, Dominican player Ezequiel Duran, and Justin Foscue.
The loss deepens Texas's struggles, as the Rangers have dropped five of their last six games. The team now carries an 0-15 record when allowing multiple runs in the first inning, highlighting the critical importance of early offensive execution.
Topics
Why This Matters
The Twins' series sweep demonstrates their offensive dominance and consistency—scoring multiple runs in the first inning across three consecutive games shows a systematic approach that is proving extremely difficult for opponents to counter. For baseball fans and bettors, this pattern underscores Minnesota's early-game execution strength and raises questions about Texas's defensive vulnerabilities, particularly their concerning 0-15 record when trailing after allowing multiple first-inning runs. This win positions the Twins as a serious contender heading forward.
Timeline & Sources
Jun 18, 2026
WireFirst inning: Minnesota scores four runs, Brooks Lee hits three-run home run off Jack Leiter
Jun 18, 2026
WireFourth inning: Trevor Larnach hits two-run home run to make score 6-0
Jun 18, 2026
WireFifth inning: Larnach delivers run-scoring single
Jun 18, 2026
WireEighth inning: Ryan Kriedler hits two-run home run
Jun 18, 2026
WireTwins defeat Rangers 9-3, completing series sweep