Twins beat Royals 5-3 - Luke Keaschall two run homers

Twins Beat Royals 5-3 in 11 Innings: Keaschall Walk-Off Homer | August 10, 2025

August 11, 2025•4 min read

August 10, 2025 - The Minnesota Twins bounced back from Saturday's shutout loss with a thrilling 5-3 victory over the Kansas City Royals in 11 innings Sunday at Target Field, powered by rookie Luke Keaschall's two-run walk-off home run and fellow rookie Ryan Fitzgerald's first career hit - also a home run.

Keaschall Delivers in the Clutch

Keaschall's heroics came at the perfect moment for Minnesota. With the game tied 3-3 in the bottom of the 11th inning and a runner on base, the rookie launched a two-run homer to left field that sent Target Field into a frenzy, according to ESPN's game recap.

The blast capped off a remarkable day for Keaschall, who extended his on-base streak to 12 games while providing the game-winning heroics. MLB.com noted that the walk-off homer was Keaschall's first of his young career, adding another milestone to his impressive start in the majors.

"Keaschall's walk-off HR in 11th caps historic game for Twins rookies," MLB.com's headline captured the significance of the moment, highlighting how the rookie has quickly become a key contributor for Minnesota's offense.

Fitzgerald's Emotional First Hit

The game's other major storyline belonged to Ryan Fitzgerald, whose first career MLB hit couldn't have been more memorable. The 31-year-old veteran minor leaguer, who had waited years for this opportunity, connected for a solo home run that gave the Twins an early lead, as reported by Yahoo Sports.

The Athletic described the emotional impact of Fitzgerald's moment, noting how his journey through the minor leagues made his first MLB homer even more special. According to Columbia Missourian, Fitzgerald signed a minor league contract with Minnesota in January and was playing in just his fourth career game.

Tonkin's Crucial Relief Work

While the rookies grabbed the headlines, Michael Tonkin's steady relief work kept the Twins in position to win. The veteran right-hander pitched effectively in the middle innings, helping bridge the gap to extra innings where Keaschall could deliver his heroics.

Tonkin's performance continued his solid season out of the Twins bullpen, providing the kind of reliable pitching that allows teams to stay competitive in close games. His work proved crucial in a game that could have easily slipped away without strong relief pitching.

Royals Miss Opportunities

Kansas City had multiple chances to put the game away but couldn't capitalize with runners in scoring position. The Royals struggled to deliver clutch hits throughout the contest, continuing a pattern that has plagued them in recent games against Minnesota.

The inability to deliver in key moments proved costly for Kansas City, who entered the game looking to take the series after Saturday's shutout victory. Instead, they watched the Twins steal the series win with late-inning dramatics.

Social Media Erupts

Target Field's atmosphere reached fever pitch after Keaschall's walk-off blast, with social media capturing the excitement. The Reddit Twins community celebrated the victory with over 110 comments, with fans particularly excited about the rookie contributions and the dramatic finish.

Series Win Momentum

The victory gave Minnesota their first back-to-back series wins since mid-July, according to The Athletic's coverage. For a team that has struggled with consistency this season, stringing together series victories represents an important step forward.

Both teams remain in the thick of the American League wild card race, making every game crucial as the season enters its final stretch.

Looking Ahead

The Twins travel to Yankee Stadium for a three-game series beginning Monday, August 11th at 7:05 PM ET (MLB Network). They'll face a Yankees team sitting at 62-56 and firmly in playoff contention.

Minnesota will send right-hander Zebby Matthews (3-3, 5.17 ERA) to the mound against New York's Will Warren (6-5, 4.44 ERA). Matthews has struck out 48 batters through 38 innings pitched in his ninth start of the season, according to Sportsbook Wire. Warren enters with 133 strikeouts in his 25th start of the season, per Bleacher Nation.

The series represents a significant test for the Twins, who must prove they can carry Sunday's momentum into a tough road environment against a playoff-caliber opponent. Both starting pitchers have struggled with consistency this season, setting up what could be an offensive-minded opener to the series.

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Kenny Flermoen

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