Culpepper Homers in MLB Debut as Twins Rally From 4-0 Down to Beat Brewers 8-6

3 articles · Updated · ESPN · Aug 8

Kaelen Culpepper's first career hit was a 390-foot, fourth-inning homer on an 0-2 pitch, helping Minnesota erase a 4-0 deficit and beat MLB-leading Milwaukee 8-6.
The 23-year-old shortstop, promoted Friday, cut the lead to 4-3 in his second plate appearance and became the first Twin to homer in his major league debut since Matt Wallner in 2022.
Culpepper also showed the learning curve in the fifth, when a slow throw on a grounder let Garrett Mitchell reach and score the tying run for Milwaukee.
Minnesota called on Culpepper for a playoff push after he hit .271 with 14 homers, 46 RBIs and 17 steals in 74 Triple-A games; MLB Pipeline ranks him No. 29 overall.
The win came on a turbulent day for the Twins, who put two-time All-Star Joe Ryan on the 15-day injured list with a left glute strain and gave no timetable for his return.