The Twins’ have come up with some timely hits, but ran out of gas in game two this afternoon.
The Twins used up all the magic in game one and simply ran out of gas down the stretch of this one.
Despite Chris Paddack consistently allowing baserunners, the Twins took a lead into the sixth inning. The Twins scored their single run in the third inning thanks to a Willi Castro walk, some good base running, and a Ryan Jeffers RBI single. Unforunately, the Twins only had two hits and four baserunners the rest of the game.
With the Twins still leading 1-0 in the sixth, Paddack’s luck finally ran out. A Jose Ramirez single, Carlos Santana walk, and Daniel Schneeman walk loaded the basis and knocked Paddack out of the game. Corporate Louis Varland came on in relief and walked in a run and allowed a sac fly before retiring Austin Hedges and his .130 average to end the threat.
The Guardians added an insurance run in the eighth thanks to Carlos Santana’s second home run of the day. They added two more in the ninth to officially put it out of reach for the Twins.
While Minnesota is certainly disappointed to leave the day with a split, there’s only so much this lineup can do when you’re missing Byron Buxton, Carlos Correa, Matt Wallner, and (for this game) Trevor Larnach. The Twins did get some good news on the injury front with Correa beginning baseball activities following his concussion last week. Byron Buxton is not far behind him, according to head trainer Nick Paparesta. Matt Wallner was also set to begin a rehab assignment with AAA St. Paul, but their game was rained out.
STUDS
- Kody Clemens: he hit a walk off double in the first game so he gets to be stud for this game too
- Griffin Jax: 1 IP, 0 R, 3K
DUDS
- Corporate Lou: 0.2 IP, walked in winning run
- Kody Funderburk: 1 IP, 3 H, 2 R
- Royce Lewis: 0-4
The Twins will welcome the Kansas City Royals to town on Friday when they can hopefully complete a regular series. The Royals are right in the playoff mix with the Twins, but their offense has been among the worst in the league. They rank in the bottom five in runs and OPS and are dead last in home runs. Minnesota won’t have to score that many runs to take this series.