SerpApi.Org
As I said in the open, the Twins have struggled lately since getting back to .500 on Friday, dropping three straight coming into today’s important contest in Cleveland. That streak unfortunately continues, as the lineup couldn’t hit Parker Messick’s fastball, and the bullpen couldn’t hold the game later into the game.
The game started with a bang, Ryan Jeffers hitting a solo homer, his 9th of the year, in the first inning. The Guardians would take the lead, however, in the 3rd. A lead off walk by Kendry Rojas, was followed by a Steven Kwan RBI double, knocking Rojas out of the game and bringing in Mike Paredes. He gave up a run-scoring single to Brayan Rocchio, putting the Guardians on top, 2-1.
In the top of the 4th, Josh Bell doubled with 2 outs, then Royce Lewis grounded one past Messick (error #1), and then second baseman Travis Bazzana over threw 1st base (error #2, allowing Bell to score and tie the game at 2 a piece.
In the bottom of the 6th, with Paredes still pitching, he gave up a double, a hit-by-pitch, and a single to load the bases with nobody out. Austin Hedges hit a sac-fly RBI, a double steal happened, then another sac-fly put Cleveland up 4-2. An RBI single by Bazzana in the 7th would bring the score to 5-2, our final tonight.
There are two more games to salvage this series and at least tie it up, which feels like a must.
Studs:
Ryan Jeffers: 1-4, HR
Kody Clemens: 2-4
Duds: Can I say the whole team?
Kendry Rojas: 2.1 IP, 1 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 2 K
Mike Paredes: 3.0 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, BB
Taylor Rogers: 1.1 IP, 2 H, ER, BB
Luke Keaschall: 0-4, 2 K, wasted a challenge in his first AB
The Twins as a team only had 6 hits and a walk, and were 0-5 with RISP.
