Clemens Is the Hero in Three Day Battle for the Twins Against the Guardians
In 2025, the average game is about two hours and 39 minutes, yet the Twins’ 48th game of the season against the Cleveland Guardians from first pitch to final out took over 43 hours of real time. The matchup that began on Monday night faced repeated suspensions and delays due to weather, but eventually, the Minnesota Twins prevailed 6-5. A double in the bottom of the ninth by Kody Clemens scored Ryan Fitzgerald and prevented a late comeback from Cleveland. The win continues a hot stretch for Minnesota, which has now won 14 of its last 15 games, including sweeps of the Orioles twice and the Giants.
The Twins and Guardians got the scoring started early, but Cleveland got festivities started in the top of the first. Ángel Martínez reached first on an infield single, then Kyle Manzardo knocked a double to center field to send him home and give the road team the one-run advantage. The Twins responded instantly, after a Ryan Jeffers lead-off single and a Royce Lewis walk, Ty France popped a single to center field, scoring Jeffers and knotting up the score one-all after one inning. Twins starter Bailey Ober wouldn’t allow another score in his three-inning start, finishing Monday with three hits, one earned run, and three strikeouts. The Twins’ bats weren't done, though. Willi Castro’s double to right field in the bottom of the second scored Harrison Bader and gave the Twins the lead going into the rain suspension that came after the third inning.
New starters came out for both clubs when play resumed Wednesday afternoon. Joe Ryan was now on the mound for the Twins, and Jakob Junis replaced Logan Allen. Ryan’s day didn’t have the perfect start, giving up a solo home run to Carlos Santana in the top of the fourth inning to bring the score back even at 2-2. Despite the setback, Ryan proceeded to put together a solid afternoon, pitching five innings with three earned runs and four strikeouts, including retiring eight straight batters from the fifth to the seventh inning. Also helping were the Twins, who came out hot against Junis. Highlighted by an RBI triple by Trevor Larnach, Minnesota recaptured a 4-2 lead in the bottom of the fourth. The team carried that momentum to a 5-2 lead heading to the ninth inning, but that’s when the Guardians struck.
The Twins started the ninth with Joe Ryan still on the mound, but after a double and walk to start the inning, out came the Twins’ closer Jhoan Durán. Durán earned the first two outs while only surrendering one run, but with runners on second and third, Bo Naylor delivered a two-out double to tie the game at 5-5. Durán prevented any more damage, but the bottom of the ninth now needed to be played out. Ty France was hit by an errant pitch and was then sent to second through a Jonah Bride single. With a runner in scoring position and two outs in the bottom of the ninth, Kody Clemens stepped up to the plate and sent a line drive to deep center to win the game for the Minnesota Twins. Minnesota will be back in action Friday against the Royals.
