Twins score 10 in fifth inning to beat Diamondbacks 16-8

The Minnesota Twins scored 10 runs in the fifth inning, including a grand slam by Byron Buxton, and defeated the Arizona Diamondbacks 16-8 on Saturday night in Phoenix. Buxton’s homer was his 24th of the season, tying him for the American League lead. It was his third career grand slam and came with the bases loaded off reliever Yilber Diaz.

Fourth and fifth innings produce 16 runs Minnesota scored four runs in the fourth inning before sending 14 batters to the plate in the fifth. The Nos. 6-9 hitters combined for 13 of the Twins’ 20 hits. Brooks Lee finished 4-for-6 with a triple and a double, one hit short of a cycle. Victor Caratini, Luke Keaschall and Ryan Kreidler each had multiple hits in the inning.

Gallen exits after career-worst outing Arizona starter Zac Gallen allowed nine runs and 12 hits in four-plus innings, both career highs, before being removed. He was charged with raising his ERA to 6.10. Diaz entered and surrendered seven hits and seven runs in less than an inning.

Philip Abner recorded the final out of the fifth. >"We came out, we just continued to put pressure on. " — Twins manager Derek Shelton, June 21, 2026 (ESPN) Taj Bradley pitched five innings for Minnesota, allowing two runs. The Twins have won five of their last six games.

Arizona scored five runs in the seventh, highlighted by Ildemaro Vargas’ three-run double. Vargas later pitched 1 2/3 scoreless innings. Minnesota and Arizona conclude the series Sunday with Minnesota’s Mike Paredes scheduled to face Arizona’s Jose Cabrera, who is making his MLB debut.