Larnach and Keaschall Lead Twins to 3-1 Victory Over Guardians

CLEVELAND (AP) — Trevor Larnach and Luke Keaschall each delivered two-out RBI singles in the 12th inning, leading the Minnesota Twins to a 3-1 victory over the Cleveland Guardians on Thursday, resulting in a split of their four-game series. Larnach and Keaschall hit their singles to left off Erik Sabrowski (3-2) after the Twins had been held scoreless for the first seven innings of the game.

Cleveland starter Gavin Williams struck out 11 batters and was on track for his 11th win before the Twins rallied in the eighth inning. Taylor Rogers (5-3) managed to escape a tough situation in the 11th, while rookie Jack Anderson pitched the 12th inning to secure his first save. The Twins’ starting pitcher Taj Bradley and five relievers combined to allow just three hits during the game.

The Guardians’ Patrick Bailey hit a home run. After being dominated through the first seven innings by Williams, the Twins found a rhythm against Cleveland's normally dependable bullpen. Hunter Gaddis took over for Williams and walked two batters before being relieved by manager Stephen Vogt, who brought in closer Cade Williams, the MLB saves leader. Pinch-hitter Alan Roden then provided an RBI single, tying the score at 1-1.

Bailey had put Cleveland ahead in the fifth inning with a 420-foot home run to right field, marking his fifth homer of the season. Bradley matched Williams’s performance, surrendering only two hits across seven innings. Williams struck out three batters in a single inning, making him the fifth pitcher in Cleveland's history to achieve an immaculate inning.

Looking ahead, the Twins are set to begin their first homestand since the All-Star break on Friday, with right-handed pitcher Zebby Matthews (4-7, 5.40 ERA) slated to start against Oakland left-hander Jacob Lopez (4-4, 6.64) in the opening game of a three-game series. The Guardians will have left-hander Joey Cantillo (8-5, 3.74) starting at Tampa Bay against Rays left-hander Shane McClanahan (8-6, 3.16) on Friday.