Box Score
SP: Mick Abel 3IP, 7H, 6ER, 2BB, 2K (63 pitches, 42 strikes (65%))
Home Runs: Kody Clemens (14), Matt Wallner (17), Royce Lewis(8)
Bottom 3 WPA: Mick Abel (-.413); Byron Buxton (-.074); Matt Wallner (-.063)
Win Probability Chart (via FanGraphs)

Mick Abel made his Twins debut on Saturday in Chicago, just weeks after being acquired from the Phillies in the Jhoan Duran deal at the deadline. The 2020 first-round draft pick has spent most of his 2025 season in the minor leagues. He made six starts for Philadelphia with his MLB debut on May 18th.

The Twins started the game with a walk from Trevor Larnach and single from Luke Keaschall, before Matt Wallner hit into a double play to end the inning.

Abel’s first inning with the Twins began with a routine pop-out, but the sun was wreaking havoc on any ball hit in the air in the outfield. Miguel Vargas hit a sun double. Colson Montgomery followed by hitting the ball back at Abel, hitting him in the thigh, and got another single. However, Abel responded well, by recording a double play which ended the inning. Abel only threw 11 pitches, avoided injury (thank goodness!) and kept the White Sox off the board.

In the top of the second inning, a two-out solo home run by the-one-and-only Kody Clemens put the Twins on the board first.

Abel’s second inning was a struggle. He got his second strike-out of the game but allowed three singles, the third was a Chase Meidroth single to center which drove in Andrew Benintendi and evened up the score 1-1. Runners were still on the corners with two outs after former Minnesota Twins outfielder Michael A. Taylor struck out. Abel got ahead of Kyle Teel walked him on seven pitches to load the bases.

Abel’s biggest struggle was getting behind in the count, struggling to find the strike zone and racking up his pitch count with foul balls and walks. The second walk from Abel gave the White Sox the lead 2-1. Star rookie Colson Montgomery came up and launched a grand slam which pushed the lead 6-1.

Davis Martin had the Twins hitters on the ropes the second inning, a three-up, three-down inning, got the defense back out and Abel joined them. Perhaps a redemption inning.

Abel gave up a leadoff single in the bottom of the third frame, but it led to no runs. Abel seemed to come out that inning with a little more command, and a lot more control. He got out of the game after a “confidence inning” and a handshake with manager Rocco Baldelli.

Matt Wallner knocked a solo home run in the top of the fourth, to make it 6-2.

Thomas Hatch came out to the mound to replace Abel and was again very good. He began by tossing four shutout innings and needed just over 30 pitches to do that. He tired in the ninth and gave up a solo homer to Luis Robert, but that was the only run he allowed. He gave up just three hits, walked none and had five strikeouts. Most important, he allowed the Twins to get through the game with just two pitchers. With uncertainty (and youth and injury concerns, etc.) throughout the pitching staff, innings eaten are quite valuable. It was Hatch’s second consecutive “team-saving” outing.

The Twins put a little pressure on Martin top of the fifth. A leadoff single from Clemens got things started. Clemens took an aggressive lead on first, making Martin attempt to pick him off and divide his focus, resulting in hitting Outman with a pitch. Two runners on base, but nothing to show for it.The White Sox brought in lefty Tyler Alexander into the game for the top of the sixth. He tossed a scoreless inning. Then with one out in the top of the seventh, he gave up a solo home run to Royce Lewis to cut the team’s deficit to 6-3.

What are your thoughts on Thomas Hatch? He has had a couple of solid outings of late. Who do you think have been the best waiver claims by the Twins in 2025? 

The Twins couldn’t come back in the last inning, falling 7-3, but have a chance to claim the series with a win on Sunday.

What’s Next? 
The Twins finish out the series with the White Sox before heading into Canada to take on the Blue Jays. The Twins will avoid Jose Berrios, Kevin Gausman, and Shane Bieber, but they will face Max Scherzer, Chris Bassitt, and Eric Lauer Monday through Wednesday.

But first, the Twins will finish out this series with the White Sox on the south side of Chicago. The Twins will try to figure out Yoendrys Gomez starting at noon central time on Sunday, The Twins haven’t announced their Sunday starter yet, at least not officially. However, we know that Taj Bradley and Simeon Woods Richardson are with the Twins in Chicago. We could see one or both of them.