Bradley passes 200 strikeouts, pitches Twins to 3-2 win over Giants

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) —

Minnesota’s Taj Bradley held the Giants to a run on three hits in six innings and the Twins knocked off San Francisco 3-2 on Tuesday night.

Bradley (12-6) struck out Drew Gilbert leading off the first for his 200th strikeout of the season. He became the ninth pitcher in the majors to reach the 200-strikeout plateau in 2026 and finished Tuesday’s game with six K’s, giving him 205 for the year.

His previous career high was 154, set with Tampa Bay in 2024.

San Francisco scored a run in the ninth and had men at first and second with two outs before Jeff Hoffman struck out Victor Bericoto swinging on a 3-2 slider to earn his sixth save.

Giants starter Anthony Molina (3-2) retired the first 10 Minnesota hitters before Brooks Lee singled with one out in the fourth inning. Molina carried a 1-0 lead into the sixth.

Then with one out, Ryan Kreidler singled, and Luke Keaschall hit a triple to the left-center gap that made it a 1-1 game. Lee followed with a single to right to drive in Keaschall and put the Twins on top.

Molina allowed those two runs on four hits in six innings. He struck out six and walked one.

Walker Jenkins jolted the first pitch from reliever Duncan Davitt over the wall in right to lead off the seventh. Jenkins’ fourth homer of the season increased Minnesota’s edge to 3-1.

The Giants scored their first run in the second on a safety-squeeze bunt by Drew Cavanaugh that brought home Shay Whitcomb.

Twins LHP Connor Prielipp (6-7, 4.94) closes the three-game series against Giants LHP Cesar Perdomo (0-1, 3.72 ERA) on Wednesday afternoon.

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Minnesota Twins' Luke Keaschall (15) hits an RBI triple in front of San Francisco Giants catcher Drew Cavanaugh, left, during the sixth inning of a baseball game in San Francisco, Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)

San Francisco Giants pitcher Anthony Molina throws against the Minnesota Twins during the first inning of a baseball game in San Francisco, Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)

San Francisco Giants' Jonah Cox, left, is tagged out at home by Minnesota Twins catcher Victor Caratini, right, on a fielder's choice hit by Victor Bericoto during the first inning of a baseball game in San Francisco, Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)

San Francisco Giants' Shay Whitcomb (13) is congratulated by Drew Gilbert (0) after scoring on a sacrifice by Drew Cavanaugh during the second inning of a baseball game against the Minnesota Twins in San Francisco, Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)

Minnesota Twins pitcher Taj Bradley throws against the San Francisco Giants during the fourth inning of a baseball game in San Francisco, Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Caitlin Clark had 27 points, nine assists and seven rebounds, and Kelsey Mitchell added 20 points to her WNBA single-season scoring record as the Indiana Fever beat the Minnesota Lynx 96-77 on Tuesday night.

Indiana kept alive its faint hopes of earning the No. 4 seed in the playoffs and home-court advantage in the first round for at least one more day. The Lynx still clinched the No. 1 seed thanks to Golden State's overtime loss to Portland on Tuesday.

Mitchell extended her league record to 27 consecutive games with 20 or more points by making a 3-pointer with a little more than two minutes to play. Aliyah Boston added 17 points and seven rebounds for the Fever.

Chloe Bibby scored all of her 15 points on 3s for Minnesota. Liatu King finished with 12 points on a night the Lynx were without Olivia Miles. The record-breaking rookie was a late scratch because of an injured left calf, and her absence clearly had an impact. Miles broke Clark's single-season scoring record by a rookie on Sunday.

Minnesota coach Cheryl Reeve said she almost held Miles out Sunday against Connecticut and that they would take the injury day by day. Reeve also opted to bench her starters for most of the final 2 1/2 quarters because she didn't want to risk other injuries after Indiana's fast start.

Indiana took control with a 14-2 run to close the first quarter while opening up a 31-16 lead. The Fever extended the margin to 38-18 quickly in the second quarter and led by as much as 57-28 the first half.

But Minnesota spent the rest of the night charging back. The Lynx — playing their backups — finally cut the deficit to single digits late in the third and when Aari McDonald drove past a defender for an uncontested layup, the deficit was 71-64 at the end of three.

The Lynx were still within 74-66 with 8:15 left, but Monique Billings made two free throws before baskets from Clark, Mitchell and Boston made it 82-66 and the Fever pulled away late.

Lynx: Hosts Indiana on Thursday in their regular season finale.

Fever: Closes out their regular season road schedule Thursday at Minnesota.

See AP’s full WNBA coverage here

Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier (24) fouls Indiana Fever forward Myisha Hines-Allen, right, in the first half of a WNBA basketball game in Indianapolis, Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

Minnesota Lynx guard Kayla McBride (21) defends Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) in the first half of a WNBA basketball game in Indianapolis, Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

Minnesota Lynx guard Kayla McBride (21) drives on Indiana Fever guard Lexie Hull (10) in the first half of a WNBA basketball game in Indianapolis, Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

Indiana Fever guard Lexie Hull (10) and Minnesota Lynx forward Liatu King go for a loose ball in the first half of a WNBA basketball game in Indianapolis, Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)