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The Minnesota Twins earned a clutch victory against the Cleveland Guardians on Wednesday night. Cleveland's lineup has struggled this season, but the Guardians scored five runs in this game. In fact, Cleveland even held a 5-3 lead heading into the bottom of the 7th inning. The Twins ultimately answered with two runs to tie the game, before Alan Roden sent the fans at Target Field home happy with a walk-off hit in the bottom of the 9th inning to give the Twins the win.
Minnesota did not play its best game. Nevertheless, the Twins made the Guardians work extremely hard. Cleveland ended up using eight pitchers in the contest, while Minnesota only needed six. Connor Prielipp started the game for the Twins and he allowed three earned runs across five innings of work.
The bullpen allowed two runs, but they held the Guardians scoreless in the 9th inning to keep the game tied which set the stage for the bottom of the 9th inning.
Overall, Minnesota's lineup recorded six runs on 11 hits in the victory. Kody Clemens recorded three of those hits. Clemens and Luke Keaschall had the only extra-base hits of the game for the Twins, and both hits were doubles.
However, command of the strike zone was a problem for the Guardians pitchers. The Twins were able to draw eight total walks, which certainly played a crucial role in their success.
The American League Central is not exactly the best division in baseball. At 47-44, the Chicago White Sox currently hold a one-game lead over the 47-46 Guardians and two-game lead over the 46-47 Twins. Even the Detroit Tigers -- who struggled to begin the campaign -- are only 5.5 games back at 42-50.
Will the Twins end up winning the division? While the team does not seem like a true postseason contender, the fact of the matter is that Minnesota is suddenly in the middle of the AL Central conversation. The AL Wild Card can also not be forgotten, as Minnesota is only a half-game back of a Wild Card spot.
The Twins were previously expected to sell before the MLB trade deadline, but one has to wonder if they will consider buying now given their current situation.
On Thursday, the Twins will look to clinch a three-game series sweep against the Guardians, as Minnesota has earned victories in each of the first two ball games. First pitch for Thursday's contest is scheduled for 1:40 PM EST.
Continue reading...
Minnesota did not play its best game. Nevertheless, the Twins made the Guardians work extremely hard. Cleveland ended up using eight pitchers in the contest, while Minnesota only needed six. Connor Prielipp started the game for the Twins and he allowed three earned runs across five innings of work.
The bullpen allowed two runs, but they held the Guardians scoreless in the 9th inning to keep the game tied which set the stage for the bottom of the 9th inning.
Overall, Minnesota's lineup recorded six runs on 11 hits in the victory. Kody Clemens recorded three of those hits. Clemens and Luke Keaschall had the only extra-base hits of the game for the Twins, and both hits were doubles.
However, command of the strike zone was a problem for the Guardians pitchers. The Twins were able to draw eight total walks, which certainly played a crucial role in their success.
Twins Making Things Interesting in AL Central
The American League Central is not exactly the best division in baseball. At 47-44, the Chicago White Sox currently hold a one-game lead over the 47-46 Guardians and two-game lead over the 46-47 Twins. Even the Detroit Tigers -- who struggled to begin the campaign -- are only 5.5 games back at 42-50.
Will the Twins end up winning the division? While the team does not seem like a true postseason contender, the fact of the matter is that Minnesota is suddenly in the middle of the AL Central conversation. The AL Wild Card can also not be forgotten, as Minnesota is only a half-game back of a Wild Card spot.
The Twins were previously expected to sell before the MLB trade deadline, but one has to wonder if they will consider buying now given their current situation.
On Thursday, the Twins will look to clinch a three-game series sweep against the Guardians, as Minnesota has earned victories in each of the first two ball games. First pitch for Thursday's contest is scheduled for 1:40 PM EST.
Continue reading...
