Twins defeat Guardians 4-1 with Castro’s 2-run homer

On Tuesday night, the Minnesota Twins secured a 4-1 victory over the Cleveland Guardians, bouncing back from a previous loss in the series. Willi Castro's two-run homer in the eighth inning was pivotal, while Matt Wallner contributed with two RBIs from singles off pitcher Gavin Williams. The Twins maintained a 1.5-game lead over Detroit for the final AL wild card spot, with a chance to clinch a playoff berth in their next game. The Guardians had a moment of hope in the seventh inning when Kyle Manzardo led off with a single, but a critical pick-off of pinch-runner Myles Straw dashed their momentum. Straw, who had just been called up from Triple-A Columbus, faced embarrassment as the initial safe call was overturned after a challenge by Twins manager Rocco Baldelli. This incident highlighted the pressure on the Guardians as they sought to rally from a 2-1 deficit. Cleveland's Thomas tied the game in the fourth with his 13th homer, breaking a personal slump. However, the team struggled to capitalize on opportunities, especially with Steven Kwan sidelined due to mid-back inflammation. Kwan's absence has been felt, as he has struggled since the All-Star break, further complicating the Guardians' playoff aspirations. Looking ahead, the Guardians will rely on Tanner Bibee in their next matchup against Bailey Ober of the Twins. Both teams are vying for playoff positions, making every game crucial as the season approaches its conclusion.