Through seven innings, it looked like the Twins would cruise through a rubber match against the Mets.

Twins outfielder Harrison Bader spoiled Mets rookie Justin Hagenman’s debut after charging a run to his statline; Juan Soto continued his struggles as he struck out multiple times; and the Amazin’s trailed, 3-0, entering the eighth frame.

But the road team tied the game in the top of the eighth with some timely hitting by Pete Alonso, Jesse Winker and Luisangel Acuna.

The comeback attempt, however, was in vain after Twins first baseman Ty France handed the Mets their first walk-off loss, 4-3, of the year. In the 10th inning, France hit Reed Garrett’s sweeper to center that easily brought home Byron Buxton — the Manfred runner — from second base.

The Twins’ first walk-off win of the season spoiled a comeback surge sparked by Alonso, who scored an RBI double in the eighth. Winker and Acuna followed with an RBI double and RBI single, respectively, to tie the game at three in the frame.

At the time the runs got Hagenman, whose family was on-hand for the debut, off the hook.

Hagenman, who handled the bulk of Wednesday’s bullpen game, exited the game in the bottom of the fifth after allowing just three hits, no walks and no runs at that point. Hagenman also struck out four Twins batters, but exited with a runner on third as reliever Jose Butto replaced him.

In came Bader, who hit an RBI single to score teammate Willi Castro and stain Hageman’s statline. The run was one of two scored in the frame.

Bader’s RBI single started the scoring in a game that featured two clubs squandering scoring opportunities during the rubber match. The former Met later scored to extend the Twins’ lead following a hit by Buxton.

Hagenman saw his ERA shoot up to 2.70 after he was charged with the run. He threw 50 pitches (32 strikes) while featuring a four-pitch mix — sinker, changeup, cutter and slider.

After retiring four consecutive hitters, the rookie gave up two straight hits and had two runners in scoring position with just one out. Buxton, though, hit a ground ball to Brett Baty and the third baseman made a throw home in time for the force out on Bader. France later struck out to end the frame.

The rookie relieved opener Huascar Brazoban, who continued his stellar season Wednesday. Brazoban started the game with a 1-2-3 inning on just 11 pitches. He went on to throw 18 total and struck out one while allowing a walk.

Just like the Twins, the Mets squandered chances to score. The most glaring mishap occurred in the fifth frame with the bases loaded.

Soto stepped into the box with just one and hit a ground ball to first. France managed to tag Francisco Lindor on the basepath and raced to first to retire Soto, resulting in an inning-ending unassisted double play. The wasted opportunity contributed to the Amazin’s leaving nine runners on base. The home team also stranded nine.

Soto, who homered in each of the two previous games in the series, went 0-for-5 with three strikeouts Wednesday. He average now sits at .231

The Twins added what would’ve been an insurance run in the sixth after Butto gave up an infield single that scored a run. Butto appeared to beat out batter Castro in a race to first, but the umpire Hunter Wendelstedt called the play safe. The missed call went unreviewed with the Mets unable to challenge.

Wendelstedt left the game in the seventh after being hit in the head on a foul ball by Tyrone Taylor. After the 89 MPH foul ball floored him for a moment, the umpire walked off with assistance.

The Mets will be back in action Thursday against the St. Louis Cardinals at Citi Field.

Originally Published: April 16, 2025 at 4:44 PM EDT