Game Recap: Twins 1 – Guardians 2

Guards walk off Twins for a much needed victory.

The Cleveland Guardians took on the Minnesota Twins in what became a three hour rain delay late night game two of the four game series.

The Guardians struck first, a welcome change from the last two games, when Bo Naylor hit a home run in the bottom of the third. Bo fouled off three fastballs, but hit them well into the bleachers. For some reason the Twin’s starting pitcher decided to throw another fast ball and Bo launched it.

Tanner Bibee took the team reigns in his hands immediately. Despite the hours long delay, Bibee came out throwing well. Going into the top of the fourth, he was facing the Twins line up for the second time having struck out two and not allowing a hit or walk yet.

With two outs, Carlos Correa broke up the no-hitter, but the Twins remained scoreless until the top of the fifth. Ty France hit a lead off homer to right center to tie the game. Bibee turned a fantastic play to record the second out, but after a challenge the call was overturned putting two runners on with one out. Bibee recovered, striking out the next batter for the second out and a fly ball caught by Jhonkensy Noel retired the side without any further damage.

In the top of the seventh, Kwan and Arias turned a defensive gem to get the first out of the inning.

Bibee earned his quality start, a much needed reprieve for the bullpen. He pitched 7.0 innings, allowing one earned run on five hits, no walks, and five strikeouts.

Cade Smith came into the game in the top of the eighth. Smith struck out the first batter but gave up a one-out single. He struck out Edouard Julien for the second out, but walked Byron Buxton. Carlos Correa hit into a flyout to retire the side. Cade threw 22 pitches in his inning of work.

Stephen Vogt turned to Emmanuel Clase to close out the game, and it was a great change of pace from some of Clase’s outings earlier this season. Clase threw thirteen pitches, eight of which were strikes, and allowed a single hit. Bo Naylor put in some defense work to help Clase out of the inning. A great pick off at second caught the runner, preventing the steal and securing the out.

Kyle Manzardo made sure this already late game wasn’t going to go into extras. A Manzo 363 ft bomb to right walked off the Guardians, his first career walk off homer.

Final Score: MIN 1 – CLE 2

The Guardians and Twins go again tomorrow. First pitch is scheduled for 6:10 PM EDT with Luis Ortiz taking the mound for the Guards.