Ex-Phillies prospect Abel shuts down former team as Twins win 5-0

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Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Mick Abel throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies, Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Laurence Kesterson)

Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Ranger Suarez, right, is examined by a trainer before leaving the game after being hit by a ball in the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Minnesota Twins, Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Laurence Kesterson) — Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Mick Abel throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies, Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Laurence Kesterson)

Audio By Carbonatix

9:04 PM on Saturday, September 27

By ANTHONY SANFILIPPO

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Mick Abel struck out nine in six scoreless innings in his first start against his former team and the Minnesota Twins beat the Philadelphia Phillies 5-0 on Saturday night, clinching home-field advantage for the Milwaukee Brewers throughout the postseason.

Byron Buxton, James Outman and Ryan Fitzgerald homered for the Twins.

Abel (3-4) allowed three hits and one walk. The 2020 Phillies first-round draft pick was traded to Minnesota at the deadline in July as part of a package for closer Jhoan Duran.

Buxton led off with a solo homer against Philadelphia starter Ranger Suárez. It was Buxton's 20th career leadoff home run and 11th this season, tying a franchise record set by Jacque Jones in 2002.

Outman also homered off Suárez while Fitzgerald had a solo shot off reliever Max Lazar. Ryan Jeffers added an RBI double for Minnesota.

Suárez (12-8) allowed three runs on nine hits in 4 1/3 innings.

The loss locked the Phillies into the No. 2 seed in the NL playoffs. They could still finish tied for the best record in baseball with Milwaukee, but the Brewers have the tiebreaker.

Key moment

Jeffers hit a 106 mph line drive that hit Suárez on the inside of his left thigh. Suárez was doubled over in pain after trying to throw out Jeffers at first. After a moment he got to his feet, but was removed from the game. The team said Suárez had a contusion and would be evaluated further.

Key stat

Abel made his major league debut as a member of the Phillies on May 18. In that game he also pitched six scoreless innings and struck out nine, outdueling Pittsburgh right-hander Paul Skenes in a 1-0 win.

Up next

Twins RHP Simeon Woods Richardson (7-4, 4.27 ERA) starts against Philadelphia LHP Cristopher Sánchez (13-5, 2.57) in the regular-season finale for both teams.

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