Jul 12, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Twins outfielder Byron Buxton (25) celebrates his triple against the Pittsburgh Pirates in the second inning at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images Brad Rempel-Imagn Images

Buxton’s magical cycle carries Twins to thrilling win over Pirates

Originally posted on Minnesota Twins on SI
By Tony Liebert | Last updated Jul 12, 2025 5:04 PM ET

Byron Buxton hit for the first cycle in Target Field history, catapulting the Twins to a dominant 12-4 win over the Pirates on Saturday.

Buxton got the party started with an infield single to lead-off the Twins. He added a triple in a six-run second innings, he hit a ground rule RBI double in the third, another single in the fifth and then he launched a 427-foot home run in the seventh inning for the first cyle by a Twins player since Jorge Polanco in 2019.

Wow! Byron Buxton homered to complete the cycle on his bobblehead day.

Buxton, who is 5-for-5 today, has the first cycle in Target Field history and the 12th cycle in #MNTwins history.

Amazing game to put the exclamation point on an amazing first half.pic.twitter.com/v9dVJhx3Y3
— Aaron Gleeman (@AaronGleeman) July 12, 2025

Minnesota exploded for 12 total runs on Saturday. Kody Clemens had another big day, going 2-4 at the plate with three RBIs and a 389-foot home run, which he celebrated with a picture-esque bat flip.

How about that bat flip? pic.twitter.com/iwVt4ogzvf
— Minnesota Twins (@Twins) July 12, 2025

Related: Report: Zebby Matthews to begin rehab assignment Sunday in St. Paul

Matt Walner and Willi Castro both added home runs, but it was the six-run second inning that gave Minnesota plenty of breathing room to play carefree baseball throughout the afternoon.

It was a bullpen day on the mound for the Twins. Cole Sands started and delivered two no-hit innings. He was relieved by Travis Adamas, Anthony Misiewicz, and then Justin Topa wrapped up a 12-4 win.

The Twins move to 47-48, and they will play their final game before the All-Star break on Sunday at Target Field against the Pirates at 1:10 p.m. CT.