None of that stopped Minnesota from grabbing the lead early and getting enough length out of its bullpen to protect it, which is exactly the kind of result that doesn't show up cleanly until the late innings settle it.
The Twins put up 2 runs in the first inning and Atlanta couldn't answer, finally scratching across a single run in the sixth before Minnesota tacked on 2 more insurance runs in the eighth to close it out 4-1. It's Minnesota's second win over Atlanta in as many nights — the kind of short-series result that doesn't move the standings much but is still a rough look for a team with the league's best record.
Atlanta's bullpen picture is the bigger concern going forward. Reynaldo Lopez and Robert Suarez are both still rebuilding arm strength on the injured list, which leaves Walt Weiss patching innings with less-proven relievers until they're back. Minnesota has its own hole to manage in right field after Austin Martin left Monday's game with a hamstring strain and was sent for an MRI — but for one more night, the shorthanded club found a way to make it work anyway.
Atlanta's still the better team over 162 games, but Minnesota has now taken 2 straight from them, and that's the kind of series that lingers even for a club sitting well outside the playoff race.