Twins 4-1 Guardians (17 Sep 2024) Match Summary

CLEVELAND — — Willi Castro hit a two-run home run, Matt Wallner had two RBIs and the Minnesota Twins bounced back from a crushing loss in the season opener to beat the Cleveland Guardians 4-1 on Tuesday night and secure the final AL wild card.

Castro hit the ball in the eighth inning and both of Wallner’s RBI singles came off Gavin Williams (3-10), who has just one win in his last seven starts.

The Twins entered the game with a 1 1/2 game lead over Detroit for the final playoff spot, and they held on to that lead thanks to solid defense, strong relief and Castro’s stellar performance after blowing a 3-0 lead on Monday.

“The energy is good. The last couple games have been tough for us,” said Castro, who hit his first home run since Aug. 24. “We’ve got to keep going.”

Lane Thomas hit a home run for the Guardians, who lead the AL Central and are closing in on the postseason. They could still clinch a spot on Wednesday.

Cleveland bounced back on Monday to record its 40th comeback victory, an MLB record, by beating the Twins.

Minnesota held on, but not before the Guardians made things exciting.

They got the bases loaded with two outs in the ninth inning before manager Rocco Baldelli, who had to work the final four innings after replacing rookie Zebby Matthews in the fifth inning, brought in Griffin Jax.

The right-handed pitcher, who gave up the go-ahead home run to rookie Kyle Manzardo in the eighth inning on Monday, retired pinch-hitter David Fry and allowed an infield single before dribble-retiring Bo Naylor for his ninth save.

When it was over, there was a collective sigh of relief from the Minnesota dugout.

“Great win for our whole team,” Baldelli said. “Everywhere you looked — in the dugout, in the bullpen — everybody played a part in some small way. There’s a lot to clap about and talk about.”

Cole Sands (9-1) pitched one inning to win the game, ending a five-game losing streak for the Twins in Cleveland.

Baldelli was especially pleased with Matthews, who allowed one run in 4 2/3 innings — one out short of the win.

“I think we need to reevaluate what a win is, because that’s what a win should be,” Baldelli said. “He pitched great.”

The Guardians fell behind 2-1 in the seventh inning, but got something moving when Manzardo hit the ball.

But pinch-runner Myles Straw, making his season debut after being drafted into the game from Triple-A Columbus with All-Star Steven Kwan on the IL, was intercepted first by Ronny Henriquez.

Straw was initially called safe. But Baldelli challenged and when the call was overturned, Straw was forced to run back to the dugout in humiliation.

“I knew it was close,” Straw said. “I wasn’t sure if I was going to get out or if I was going to be safe. When he called me safe, I was pretty thankful. But then Rocco challenged the play and it got overturned, so that was a little bit of a bummer.”

TRAINER’S ROOM

Twins: OF Max Kepler, who has been sidelined with knee tendonitis, received a cortisone shot in his left hip after experiencing discomfort. Kepler responded to treatment and could begin a rehab assignment this weekend. … SS Carlos Correa was given the night off as the club monitors his workload after he recently returned from a 51-game IL stint with plantar fasciitis.

Guardians: Manager Stephen Vogt said RHP Alex Cobb (finger blister) played catch as he continues his recovery. The 36-year-old is on the injured list for the second time since being acquired from the Giants at the trade deadline.

NEXT

Guardians RHP Tanner Bibee (11-8, 3.60 ERA), who has just one win in his last five starts, will try to push Cleveland closer to the playoffs in a game against Twins RHP Bailey Ober (12-7, 3.90 ERA) on Wednesday.

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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb