Eury Pérez was electric again—but one brutal inning and silent bats ruined the night in Minnesota.
Key Takeaways for Fast Readers
- Eury Pérez pitched well, but Bailey Ober was better. Pérez struck out eight over six strong innings, but Ober’s two-hit, 89-pitch complete game shutout stole the show.
- A single play turned the game. Byron Buxton’s daring steal of home in the fifth inning broke the deadlock, and Ryan Jeffers followed with a two-run homer to seal the deal.
- The Marlins’ offense continues to struggle. Miami managed just two hits, falling to 19-23 on the season.
⚾ The Play That Changed Everything: Buxton Steals Home
The turning point of the game arrived in the bottom of the fifth inning. With two outs and no one on base, Byron Buxton drew a walk, setting the stage for a sequence of events that showcased the cerebral beauty of baseball:
- Trevor Larnach singled to left on a hit-and-run, putting runners at the corners.
- On a 1-0 pitch to Ryan Jeffers, Larnach broke for second, triggering a double steal.
- Catcher Joe Mack threw to second, initiating a rundown.
- Second baseman Xavier Edwards, keeping an eye on Buxton, tried to catch him at home, but Buxton’s speed won the race.
After a video review confirmed Buxton’s daring slide, the Twins took a 1-0 lead.
Manager Clayton McCullough praised his team’s execution: “It was really bang-bang. Buxton might have just… accelerated and just beat it, but I thought our guys executed it well.”
💣 Jeffers Delivers the Knockout Punch
The momentum from Buxton’s steal carried straight into the next at-bat. On the very next pitch, Ryan Jeffers crushed a two-run homer to deep left, extending Minnesota’s lead to 3-0.
Eury Pérez, reflecting on the moment through an interpreter, admitted the delay from the video review had thrown him off rhythm:
“No… but kind of a little bit. Like, you’re there, you’re waiting for that out, you know? It’s gonna get you out of the inning. But then you’ve gotta go back again and just do your best.”
At just 23 years old, Pérez’s poise in discussing the sequence is impressive. He finished the inning without further damage, but the deficit proved too much for Miami’s struggling offense.
🌟 Eury Pérez: A Bright Spot in a Tough Loss
Eury Pérez’s final stat line tells the story of a pitcher who deserved better:
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| Innings Pitched | 6.0 |
| Hits Allowed | 3 |
| Runs / Earned Runs | 3 / 3 |
| Home Runs Allowed | 1 |
| Walks | 3 |
| Strikeouts | 8 |
| Pitches | 87 |
| Game Score | 59 |
| Decision | L (2-5) |
Despite the loss, Pérez’s performance showed why he’s considered a cornerstone of Miami’s future. His ERA now sits at 4.94, but his ability to strike out hitters and limit damage bodes well for the long term.
Pérez is only 23, pre-arbitration eligible, and under team control through 2030. Nights like this — where he keeps his team in the game against a red-hot opponent — are stepping stones to a bright future.
Bailey Ober’s Career Night
On the other side, Bailey Ober delivered the kind of performance that pitchers dream about. His two-hit complete game shutout, the first of his career, came on an astonishingly efficient 89 pitches.
The Marlins simply couldn’t solve him. Ober’s mastery of location and pace kept Miami’s lineup off balance all night, and his defense backed him up at every turn.
Ober’s record improves to 4-2, and the Twins extended their win streak to three games.
🔭 What’s Next for the Marlins
The series at Target Field continues through May 14, before Miami heads to Tampa Bay for a three-game set against the Rays (May 15–17). After that, they’ll return home to face the Atlanta Braves starting May 18.
The Marlins’ 19-23 record reflects a team that’s competitive but struggling to find consistency. Otto López’s 11-game hitting streak has been a rare bright spot in a lineup that has too often gone quiet, as it did Tuesday night.
The good news? Despite the loss, Pérez proved once again that he’s the real deal. When Miami’s offense shows up to support him, this team can compete with anyone. Tuesday just wasn’t that night.
Sources:
KSTP Minneapolis — Bailey Ober Pitches First Career Shutout
Miami Herald / AP — Marlins-Twins Game Recap, May 12, 2026
