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The Cleveland Guardians' biggest problem all year long has been a lack of offense and scoring runs.
That was the key reason for Cleveland's 3-1 loss to the Minnesota Twins on Thursday afternoon, resulting in a series split with their division rival.
The Guardians were given every opportunity, and more, to score and put up crooked numbers against the Twins, but they just couldn't get the big hit to get and keep the lead.
After all 12 innings had been played at Progressive Field in the series finale, Cleveland was 0-for-17 with runners in scoring position and left 11 runners on base.
It was even just that the Guardians couldn't get the big hit; they were struggling to get any hits, with just three as a team: two from Steven Kwan and one from Patrick Bailey. Cleveland's catcher's home run was the only run the Guardians scored in the game.
The Twins gift-wrapped opportunities, walking seven Cleveland hitters and putting them in scoring position. Still, the Guardians couldn't find a way to get runners across home plate.
Cleveland looked like a completely different team that hit a franchise-tying seven home runs during the first game of the series, and not in a good way.
Jul 23, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Minnesota Twins shortstop Brooks Lee (22) forces out Cleveland Guardians third baseman Jose Ramirez (11) during the eleventh inning at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
Manager Stephen Vogt said the explanation for the team's struggles came down to "good pitching," but also admitted that "extra innings was really though for us."
"We had two opportunities to get the winning run to third base with nobody out and just weren't able to do it," Cleveland's skipper said. "It was just a frustrating day for us."
This loss stings even more considering that Cleveland's pitching staff did its job, and more, in this game.
Gavin Williams threw 7.0 near-perfect innings, allowing just two hits, zero earned runs, and 11 strikeouts. He even had a nine-pitch immaculate inning in the fourth.
Colin Holderman even came on and pitched 2.0 clean innings into extras with the runner starting on second base.
Thursday was a perfect example for Cleveland's front office that, as good as a pitching staff may be, a lack of run production can limit a team's ceiling in October.
With the trade deadline right around the corner, this game is just more proof that the Guardians need to add a proven bat or two to stay on course in the playoff race.
Continue reading...
That was the key reason for Cleveland's 3-1 loss to the Minnesota Twins on Thursday afternoon, resulting in a series split with their division rival.
The Guardians were given every opportunity, and more, to score and put up crooked numbers against the Twins, but they just couldn't get the big hit to get and keep the lead.
After all 12 innings had been played at Progressive Field in the series finale, Cleveland was 0-for-17 with runners in scoring position and left 11 runners on base.
It was even just that the Guardians couldn't get the big hit; they were struggling to get any hits, with just three as a team: two from Steven Kwan and one from Patrick Bailey. Cleveland's catcher's home run was the only run the Guardians scored in the game.
The Twins gift-wrapped opportunities, walking seven Cleveland hitters and putting them in scoring position. Still, the Guardians couldn't find a way to get runners across home plate.
Cleveland looked like a completely different team that hit a franchise-tying seven home runs during the first game of the series, and not in a good way.
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Jul 23, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Minnesota Twins shortstop Brooks Lee (22) forces out Cleveland Guardians third baseman Jose Ramirez (11) during the eleventh inning at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
Manager Stephen Vogt said the explanation for the team's struggles came down to "good pitching," but also admitted that "extra innings was really though for us."
"We had two opportunities to get the winning run to third base with nobody out and just weren't able to do it," Cleveland's skipper said. "It was just a frustrating day for us."
This loss stings even more considering that Cleveland's pitching staff did its job, and more, in this game.
Gavin Williams threw 7.0 near-perfect innings, allowing just two hits, zero earned runs, and 11 strikeouts. He even had a nine-pitch immaculate inning in the fourth.
Colin Holderman even came on and pitched 2.0 clean innings into extras with the runner starting on second base.
Thursday was a perfect example for Cleveland's front office that, as good as a pitching staff may be, a lack of run production can limit a team's ceiling in October.
With the trade deadline right around the corner, this game is just more proof that the Guardians need to add a proven bat or two to stay on course in the playoff race.
Continue reading...
