Twins fall out of playoff position as bats fall silent in 6-1 loss to St. Louis

If the playoffs started on Saturday, the Minnesota Twins would find themselves on the outside looking in.

The Twins lost to the St. Louis Cardinals at Target Field Friday night, 6-1, as Minnesota's bats fell silent. The Kansas City Royals defeated the Philadelphia Phillies, moving them into the second American League Wild Card spot and bumping the Twins out by one game.

The Royals also moved within a game of the American League Central-leading Cleveland Guardians, who lost to the Texas Rangers Friday night.

Cardinals starting pitcher Andre Pallante dominated the Twins, allowing only one run on five hits, two walks and striking out five. He retired the final 13 batters he faced before turning over the game to St. Louis' bullpen.

In fact, the Twins had 16 consecutive batters retired before Matt Wallner walked to lead off the ninth inning — the first time they had a baserunner since the third inning. Many Twins were swinging aggressively early in the count despite being down multiple runs.

Meanwhile, Twins pitchers allowed nine total walks in the game, despite allowing the second-fewest as a staff this season entering the game.

Rookie David Festa struggled on the mound, as he lasted only 3.2 innings while allowing three runs, three hits, two walks and struck out five.

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Minnesota's only form of offense came in the second inning, when center fielder Austin Martin singled in catcher Ryan Jeffers to take a 1-0 lead.

The Cardinals responded with three combined runs in the third and fourth innings, coming from an RBI single by Masyn Winn in the third and Lars Nootbar driving in two runs off a double in the fourth.

St. Louis added another run in the sixth, coming in the form of a home run by Brendan Donovan off Twins pitcher Jorge Alcala. The away team added a couple more runs late against Minnesota reliever Trevor Richards via a bases loaded walk by Victor Scott II and a sacrifice fly by Winn.

Both teams will go at it again Saturday night, with the starting pitching matchup involving a couple of former Twins teammates. Pablo López (11-8, 4.47 ERA) will take the mound for Minnesota while Sonny Gray (11-8, 3.91 ERA) makes his return to Target Field in a Cardinals uniform. First pitch is scheduled for 6:10 p.m. CT.