MINNEAPOLIS -- Sequencing matters, and if you need proof, look no farther than the 2026 Twins.
Minnesota enjoyed another successful night with the bases loaded, highlighted by Tristan Gray’s second grand slam, en route to a 9-6 win over the White Sox that snapped a five-game losing streak. The Twins loaded the bases in both the fourth and fifth, and they turned both opportunities into a big inning.
On the year, no team has more at-bats, plate appearances, hits or RBIs with the bases loaded than the Twins.
That’s how you rank in the middle of the pack in overall batting average, on-base percentage and slugging, but second in the American League in runs scored. The Twins load the bases more than anybody, and they make the most of it when they do.
On Monday, it started with Gray, who hit the first slam of his career in the 2026 home opener win against the Rays. With two outs in the fourth, he jumped a pretty decent 1-0 curveball from rookie David Sandlin and drilled it a Statcast-projected 384 feet into the seats in right field.
An inning later, they did it via steady drip rather than big blast. Two walks and a single loaded them up with nobody out, and Austin Martin and Victor Caratini each singled in a run. Luke Keaschall added a sac fly, and then Gray did the same, sending the Twins on their way.
The outburst backed a solid outing from Joe Ryan, who had exceptional stuff but missed his location a couple of times in the fifth, allowing two homers as a result.