First-place Guardians rally for big victory over Twins
CLEVELAND — Pinch-runner Ernie Clement raced home from second base on a wild pitch in the eighth inning for the go-ahead run and the American League Central Division-leading Guardians rallied for a 4-3 win over the Minnesota Twins on Friday night in the opener of a crucial five-game series.
Clement ran for Josh Naylor, who led off the eighth with a single and took second on Oscar Gonzalez’s single. Jhoan Duran’s 2-1 pitch to Andrés Giménez bounced in front of catcher Gary Sánchez and went back to the screen on the fly.
Sánchez couldn’t find the ball initially and Clement rounded third and slid headfirst, beating Sánchez's throw.
Trevor Stephan (6-4) pitched a perfect eighth inning and Emmanuel Clase gave up an infield hit in the ninth, but got Gilberto Celestino on a groundout for his 36th save.
The Guardians lead the Twins by five games and have clinched the season series with a 10-5 edge, giving the Guardians the tiebreaker. The Guardians have won six in a row over the Twins.
The teams play a day-night doubleheader Saturday followed by games Sunday and Monday. The Guardians swept a three-game series at Target Field last weekend.
Bailey Ober allowed one hit in five innings in his first start since June 1 and Jake Cave hit a two-run homer in the fourth as the Twins took a 3-0 lead, but the Guardians rallied in the seventh.
Second baseman Nick Gordon’s throwing error on Giménez’s grounder started the seventh. Giménez took third on pinch-hitter Owen Miller’s single and scored on Myles Straw’s one-out single. Jose Miranda made a diving stop at first base on Steven Kwan’s grounder, but the runners moved up a base and scored on Amed Rosario’s single.
Guardians starter Triston McKenzie allowed three runs in seven innings.
Trainer's room
Twins: Minnesota is trying to stay in the race despite a lengthy injury list, with second baseman Jorge Polanco (knee inflammation), center fielder Byron Buxton (hip strain), left fielder Alex Kirilloff (wrist inflammation), outfielder Kyle Garlick (left wrist sprain) and right fielder Max Kepler (bruised leg, sore wrist) all sidelined. Kepler is the only one not on the injured list. ... Polanco played second base in a rehab game Friday night for Triple-A St. Paul.
Guardians: Right-hander Aaron Civale (elbow) is scheduled to start Tuesday in Chicago against the White Sox. He allowed two home runs and seven hits in 2⅔ innings on a rehab start for Triple-A Columbus on Thursday.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Cleveland Guardians rally past Minnesota Twins
