The Cleveland Guardians snapped a five-game losing streak with a 3-2 win against the Minnesota Twins. Sam Hentges picked up his second win in one inning pitched and Emilio Pagan took the loss after giving up the lead in the eighth inning. Emmanuel Clase earned his 18th save this season in his first appearance since both saves in Minnesota last week.
Both starting pitchers tossed six innings but took a no-decision. Zach Plesac struck out seven batters, and allowed just three hits and walks. He allowed two runners to reach second base, but never beyond. Devin Smeltzer struck out nine batters, gave up four hits, but did not issue any walks.
The Guardians led 1-0 after a Minnesota miscue in the first inning. Franmil Reyes hit an RBI double on a blooper to right field that landed between two Twins players, allowing Amed Rosario to hustle from first base to score.
The Twins tied the game 1-1 with two outs in the seventh inning when Jose Miranda doubled and then scored on a Gilberto Celestino triple. Carlos Correa put Minnesota ahead with a solo home run in the eighth, but this was short-lived. In the bottom of the frame, Myles Straw and Steven Kwan drew walks with no outs, then advanced on a wild pitch with Amed Rosario at the plate. Then Rosario, who went three-for-four, drove in both runners with a go-ahead two-run single up the middle.
The Guardians and Twins have split the first two games of this five-games series. Heading into game two of today's doubleheader the Guardians improve to 37-33 and drop the Twins to 42-34. The pitching matchup will feature Cleveland's Konnor Pilkington (1-0, 3.67 ERA) and Minnesota's Josh Winder (2-2, 3.68 ERA).