Twins Triumph Over Guardians in Doubleheader Opener

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Twins secured a 4-2 victory against the Cleveland Guardians in the first game of a doubleheader on Friday, marking a significant moment in their pursuit of the AL Central title. Bailey Ober delivered an impressive performance, pitching six shutout innings, while Carlos Santana and Ryan Jeffers contributed with solo home runs. The win allowed the Twins to close the gap in the division standings, now just 2½ games behind the Guardians, who are experiencing a six-game losing streak. The Twins' offense was bolstered by additional runs from Royce Lewis and Kyle Farmer, showcasing their determination to reclaim the top spot in the division. This victory is particularly notable as it brings the Twins closer to the Guardians than they have been since mid-May, when they faced a three-game sweep at the hands of Cleveland. Guardians manager Stephen Vogt acknowledged Ober's skill, stating, “He kept us off balance,” while expressing disappointment in his team's performance. Joey Cantillo, making his third major league start for the Guardians, struggled, allowing three runs over 5 2/3 innings. Despite a late-game effort from Brayan Rocchio, who hit a two-run homer in the seventh, the Guardians could not overcome the deficit. The Twins' bullpen, led by Griffin Jax and Jhoan Duran, held strong, with Duran earning his 16th save. Looking ahead, the Guardians are set to debut RHP Alex Cobb in the second game of the doubleheader, while the Twins will feature RHP Louie Varland, as both teams continue their push for playoff positioning.