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Twins Edge Blue Jays 4-3 on Okamoto’s Ninth-Inning HR

5/4/2026

30 4 Full Breakdown

Summary

Twins Edge Jays

Minnesota Twins held on to beat Toronto Blue Jays 4-3 on May 3, 2026 after Joe Ryan left the game with elbow soreness.
Andrew Morris threw 3 2/3 relief innings, allowing two hits, one walk and three strikeouts.
Luke Keaschall and Victor Caratini each added an RBI double, sparking Minnesota’s offense.
Kazuma Okamoto walked on two pitches and then hit a two-run ninth-inning home run off Justin Topa, who earned his save.

Summary

Ryan Becomes Ace

Ryan was promoted to Minnesota Twins' ace in 2026 after former All-Star Pablo Lopez’s season-ending Tommy John surgery.
Before his promotion, Ryan posted a 2-3 record with a 3.76 ERA and 39 strikeouts in 38.1 innings.
The Twins remain only 3½ games behind the AL Central leader despite recent injury setbacks.
At 29, Ryan underwent a spring MRI for a back injury that threatened his 2026 World Baseball Classic eligibility.

History

Historical Context

Frank Jobe’s 1974 ulnar-collateral-ligament reconstruction on Dodgers pitcher Tommy John created a procedure that now treats most elbow injuries in baseball. By 2009 the success rate reached 85-92%, and roughly one-third of active MLB pitchers have undergone it. The Twins’ 2026 surgeries on Joe Ryan and Pablo Lopez illustrate how the legacy guides modern roster decisions.

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Twins Edge Jays

Minnesota Twins held on to beat Toronto Blue Jays 4-3 on May 3, 2026 after Joe Ryan left the game with elbow soreness.
Andrew Morris threw 3 2/3 relief innings, allowing two hits, one walk and three strikeouts.
Luke Keaschall and Victor Caratini each added an RBI double, sparking Minnesota’s offense.
Kazuma Okamoto walked on two pitches and then hit a two-run ninth-inning home run off Justin Topa, who earned his save.

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