The Minnesota Twins suffered a disappointing 3-2 loss against the St. Louis Cardinals, largely attributed to a critical throwing error by second baseman Edouard Julien in the ninth inning. Julien's errant throw allowed the tying and go-ahead runners to advance, leading to a two-run single by Lars Nootbaar off closer Jhoan Duran, marking the first time this season the Twins lost after leading in the ninth. Despite a strong pitching performance from rookie Zebby Matthews, who struck out six batters in five innings, the Twins could not capitalize on their late-game opportunities. The loss highlighted ongoing struggles with execution in high-pressure situations, as the team dropped two of three games in the series. Twins manager Rocco Baldelli noted the urgency of improving their late-game strategy to avoid further collapses. The defeat underscores the need for mental resilience as the team navigates a tight playoff race.