(Photo by Ron Schwane/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH -- The Minnesota Twins jumped out to a one-run lead in the third inning when the team's RBI leader Jose Miranda poked an RBI double to left field. Jake Cave got to Cleveland's starter Triston McKenzie in the 4th inning, launching a 2-run shot to give Minnesota an early 3-0 lead. The uncertainty of the Twins' bullpen came back to haunt the club once again, with Cleveland putting up three runs in the 7th to tie things up. With Ernie Clement at second, Josh Naylor took a dirt ball that rolled to the backstop, with Twins' catcher Gary Sanchez struggling to locate the baseball, Ernie Clement rounded third and dove safely into hope plate to take a go-ahead lead. Guardians' closer Emmanuel Clase shut the door on the divisional rivals to secure a 4-3 victory and further extend their lead in the American League Central Division.
Myles Straw stepped to the plate with two men on and one out following a Luke Maile strikeout, and the pressure was on. Cleveland's centerfielder ripped a single on a hard hit groundball to center field. With the crowd noise beginning to rise, Amed Rosario smoked a game-tying two-run single to centerfield to complete the Guardian's rally.
The Cleveland Guardians extended their AL Central lead to four games following the 4-3 win over the Twins. Cleveland and Minnesota will clash for a double header on Saturday, with the first pitch of Game one set for 1:10 pm Et at Progressive Field in Cleveland, Ohio.