Guardians 5, Twins 2: Another Lackluster Performance

Box Score
SP: Kendry Rojas - 2 ⅓  IP, 1 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 2 K (47 pitches, 28 strikes (59.6% strikes))
Bottom 3 WPA (via FanGraphs): Victor Caratini (-0.14), Mike Paredes (-0.13), Luke Keaschall (-0.12)

Win Probability Chart (via FanGraphs)

After a series loss against the Cubs over the weekend, the Twins had a game they will hope to soon forget in the first game against the Guardians. They were looking to bounce back Tuesday after two games where they gave up 10 and 13 runs, respectively. The Twins sent rookie lefty Kendry Rojas to the mound to face off with Guardians’ lefty Parker Messick. The visitors got on the board early when Ryan Jeffers hit a curveball that Messick left up into the seats in left field.

Rojas got through the first two innings with only one baserunner allowed, but the Guardians were able to tie the game in the bottom of the third on a one-out Steven Kwan double, which chased Rojas from the game. 

Mike Paredes came into the game in relief of Rojas, and Brayan Rocchio greeted him with an RBI single to give Cleveland a 2-1 lead. Paredes was able to finish the inning without giving up another run despite another hit, due to an inning-ending double play off the bat of Rhys Hoskins. 

The Guardians' lead didn’t last long, as the Twins were able to score on an odd play where both Messick and second baseman Travis Bazzana were charged with errors. Messick failed to field a squibber from Royce Lewis, and then Bazzana threw away his chance to save the play. 

It looked like the Guardians may score in the bottom of the fifth, with runners on first and third with one out, but Paredes was able to tightrope out of danger with a short fly ball off the bat of Chase DeLauter and a pinch-hit flyout from Kyle Manzardo.

In the bottom of the sixth inning, the first three batters reached versus Paredes, and Guardians catcher Austin Hedges was able to take a high breaking ball and hit a sacrifice fly, which gave the Guardians a 3-2 lead. Derek Shelton went to Taylor Rogers to try to escape without further damage, but on a shallow fly ball to center, Travis Bazzana took off for the plate. Byron Buxton's throw was slightly offline, pulling Ryan Jeffers to the first-base side of the plate, and Jeffers's valiant dive back toward Bazzana missed its mark until it was too late. The initial call was out, but it was changed on review. 4-2, Guardians.

The hosts added another run in the bottom of the seventh inning, on a Bazzana check-swing flare that drove in Manzardo to stretch the Twins' deficit to three runs.

The Twins offense went lifeless over the final two innings, going down 1-2-3 in both frames. Kahlil Watson made a nice play to end the game in the right-field corner off the bat of Luke Keaschall, but the outcome of the game wouldn't have been altered even if he hadn't gotten to the ball. 

The Twins have dropped four straight games and are now 1-4 since the All-Star break. 

Other Notes: 

• Jack Anderson made his Twins debut, throwing 1 ⅓ innings and recording one strikeout. The Twins hope he can bolster a bullpen that has had its fair share of struggles this year. 
• Josh Bell celebrated reaching 10 years of service time today, which is a significant milestone for any player in their major-league career. 

What’s Next?
The Twins will play two more in Cleveland, with Bailey Ober (7-3, 4.32 ERA) toeing the rubber for tomorrow’s game. Slade Cecconi (4-6, 4.55 ERA) will pitch for the Guardians. In Ober’s last two starts, he has given up three earned runs over 10 ⅓ innings pitched, with his most recent start earning a win in the first game out of break against the Cubs. 

BULLPEN CHART