Byron Buxton Sets Home Run Record, Joe Ryan Shines as Minnesota Twins Defeat San Diego Padres 7-2 (August 31, 2025)

Sunday, August 31st, 2025

Minnesota Twins Defeat San Diego Padres 7-2 Behind Byron Buxton’s Record Home Run

Byron Buxton broke his own single-season home run record with his 29th blast, and Joe Ryan delivered an outstanding performance on the mound as the Minnesota Twins secured a 7-2 victory over the San Diego Padres.

Game Recap

Buxton and Royce Lewis each recorded two hits, powering Minnesota to take two out of three games in the series against San Diego. The loss dropped the Padres further behind the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL West race.

Joe Ryan (13-7) bounced back from two tough starts, pitching seven shutout innings. He gave up just five hits, struck out eight batters, and threw a season-high 104 pitches, providing the stability the Twins needed from their rotation.

San Diego’s offense came alive late, with Freddy Fermin and Bryce Johnson driving in runs during the ninth inning. However, their efforts could not overcome the deficit, as the Padres fell to 2-5 over their last seven games.

Buxton Extends Home Run Record

Buxton’s historic homer came in the third inning off Kyle Hart, a two-run shot that sailed deep into the left-field seats. The home run was his fourth in as many games, surpassing his previous season best of 28, set in 2022.

Kyle Hart, recalled from Triple-A El Paso, was tagged for three runs over 1 1/3 innings in relief as the Padres relied on a bullpen game. Hart also hit Luke Keaschall with a pitch to open the fourth inning, and Keaschall later scored on a single by James Outman.

Minnesota added more insurance in the fifth inning, as Keaschall and Lewis delivered RBI singles in a rally that put the Twins ahead 6-0.

Key Moment

San Diego threatened in the fourth inning with runners on first and second and no outs. Joe Ryan responded by striking out Ramón Laureano and Gavin Sheets before enticing Jake Cronenworth to fly out, escaping the jam unscathed and preserving Minnesota’s lead.

Key Stat

The Twins notched their first series win since August 8-10 against Kansas City, improving their record to 5-12 in the stretch since that last series victory.

Up Next

The Padres will return home as right-hander Dylan Cease (6-11, 4.82 ERA) is set to face the Baltimore Orioles. The Orioles are expected to start right-hander Kyle Bradish (0-1, 3.00 ERA).

The Twins stay at home to begin a four-game set against the Chicago White Sox, with Bailey Ober (4-7, 5.14 ERA) scheduled to take the mound against Aaron Civale (3-9, 5.26 ERA).

In summary

The Minnesota Twins rode Byron Buxton’s record-setting 29th home run and Joe Ryan’s dominant pitching to a decisive 7-2 win over the San Diego Padres. This victory not only gave Minnesota its first series triumph in nearly a month but also showcased Buxton’s power and Ryan’s resilience on the mound. With strong offensive support and timely pitching, the Twins look to carry this momentum into their upcoming home stand, while the Padres seek to bounce back as they return to San Diego.

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