Twins Video
Box Score
SP: Joe Ryan 4 IP, 10 H, 8 ER, 3 K, 0 BB (78 pitches, 55 strikes)
HR: None, for the Twins
Bottom 3 WPA: Ryan -0.49, Clemens -0.05, Caratini -0.05
Win Probability Chart (via FanGraphs):
The Twins entered Monday night knowing just how important the next four games could be. After dropping two of three to the Cubs over the weekend for their first series loss since June 24, Minnesota arrived in Cleveland needing to make up ground in both the American League Central and Wild Card races. The Twins opened the series four games behind the division lead and two games out of the final Wild Card spot, with the Guardians sitting directly in front of them in the postseason chase. It also happened to be a Joe Ryan day.
With Minnesota's back end of the rotation continuing to search for consistency, every start from the club's ace carries added importance. Games Ryan starts have increasingly felt like must-win opportunities, making Monday's opener an ideal chance for the Twins to regain momentum.
Instead, it became one of the ugliest losses of the season. Ryan turned in one of the worst outings of his career, lasting just four innings while allowing eight earned runs on 10 hits. Six of those hits left the ballpark, tying the major-league record for the most home runs allowed by a pitcher in a single game. The eight earned runs were also the most Ryan has surrendered since allowing 10 against the Padres in 2022.
Cleveland wasted no time putting Ryan on the defensive. Brayan Rocchio launched a two-run homer in the first inning before Rhys Hoskins followed immediately with a solo shot, giving the Guardians a quick 3-0 lead.
The Twins briefly answered in the second inning. Brooks Lee lined an RBI triple past a diving Chase Delauter before Alan Roden brought him home with a sacrifice fly, cutting the deficit to 3-2 and giving Minnesota a brief spark.
It didn't last. The Guardians immediately resumed their power display in the bottom of the second. Petey Halpin, who entered the night with just a .471 OPS, crushed a two-run homer before 2024 No. 1 overall pick Travis Bazzana added another long ball later in the inning. The home run barrage continued from there. Hoskins connected for his second homer of the night in the third inning, before Halpin also left the yard for a second time in the fourth, chasing Ryan from the game with Cleveland holding an 8-2 advantage.
Unfortunately for the Twins, the damage didn't stop when Ryan exited. Cleveland continued to pile on against Minnesota's low-leverage relievers, adding runs in the fifth, sixth and seventh innings while turning the opener into a complete rout. By the end of the night, the Guardians had collected 19 hits, including seven home runs and four doubles, overwhelming every pitcher the Twins sent to the mound.
Minnesota managed a pair of late runs after the outcome had long since been decided. Trevor Larnach delivered an RBI single in the seventh inning before Victor Caratini doubled home another run in the eighth, trimming the deficit to 13-4. Those late contributions did little more than make the final score slightly more respectable.
The 13-4 defeat was about as discouraging a way as possible to begin a pivotal four-game series. The Twins fell to 49-52 and now sit three games below .500, while dropping to 2.5 games behind the final American League Wild Card spot with three teams standing between them and a playoff position. With the trade deadline now just a couple of weeks away, every loss increases the pressure on Minnesota to prove it remains a legitimate postseason contender.
What's Next
The Twins will try to bounce back Tuesday evening, when the second game of the series begins at 5:40 p.m. Minnesota has yet to announce a starting pitcher, while Cleveland will hand the ball to impressive rookie Parker Messick as the Twins look to avoid falling even further behind in the playoff race.
Postgame Interviews:
Bullpen Usage Chart:
| THUR | FRI | SAT | SUN | MON | TOT | |
| Nance | 0 | 25 | 0 | 0 | 36 | 61 |
| Gómez | 0 | 22 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 22 |
| Morris | 0 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14 |
| Rogers | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Rojas | 0 | 0 | 18 | 0 | 0 | 18 |
| Go | 0 | 0 | 0 | 23 | 24 | 47 |
| Adams | 0 | 0 | 0 | 45 | 0 | 45 |
| Funderburk | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 16 | 30 |
| Alex Jackson | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 11 |
| Paredes | 0 | 0 | 40 | 0 | 0 | 40 |







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