Guardians rally past Twins with Manzardo’s late homer in eighth

On Monday night, the Cleveland Guardians achieved a thrilling 4-3 victory over the Minnesota Twins, marking their 40th come-from-behind win of the season. Rookie Kyle Manzardo delivered a pivotal two-run homer in the eighth inning, propelling the Guardians ahead after they had trailed 3-0. Emmanuel Clase secured his 46th save, tying the franchise record for saves in a single season, previously set by José Mesa in 1995. The game saw the Guardians rally after a slow start, with starter Matthew Boyd struggling and not completing the third inning. Minnesota's Pablo López initially held a strong lead, retiring 10 consecutive batters before the Guardians began to chip away at the score. A key moment came in the fifth inning when Brayan Rocchio scored after López hit him with a pitch, leading to a broken-bat infield single by Andrés Giménez that brought the Guardians closer. In the seventh inning, rookie Angels Martinez contributed with an RBI single, narrowing the gap to 3-2. Despite the Twins' initial dominance, their bullpen faltered, allowing the Guardians to capitalize on their mistakes. The victory not only solidified Cleveland's position in the AL Central but also reduced their magic number for clinching a playoff berth to two. The Guardians are now 7.5 games ahead of the defending division champion Twins, showcasing their resilience and ability to perform under pressure. As they prepare for their next game, the team is also monitoring the status of All-Star left fielder Steven Kwan, who has been sidelined with lower back soreness.