Kyle Manzardo’s second walk-off hit of the season against Minnesota scored Brayan Rocchio in the 10th inning, sending the Cleveland Guardians to a 3-2 win over the visiting Twins on Friday night.
Manzardo singled to left field off Kody Funderburk (1-1) with the bases loaded and one out as the Guardians won for the 15th time in 21 games, remaining in the thick of the American League wild-card hunt.
Cade Smith (3-4) worked the final two innings for the victory. Cleveland used five pitchers and did not allow an earned run.
Minnesota was in action for the first time since dealing nine players in nine separate swaps in the 24 hours leading up to the trade deadline. The Twins added eight players from Triple-A St. Paul before the game.
Cleveland built a 2-0 lead on RBI singles by José Ramírez in the first and Bryan Rocchio in the second off Twins ace Joe Ryan. Steven Kwan scored on the initial hit and Carlos Santana came around on the next.
Ramírez also joined an exclusive club by stealing a base, becoming the first primary third baseman — and 17th overall player — with 275 steals and 275 home runs. The only other players to achieve the feat in their first 13 seasons are Barry Bonds, Bobby Bonds, Andre Dawson and Carlos Beltran.
The Twins evened the score in the seventh when Austin Martin legged out an infield single and Guardians reliever Hunter Gaddis threw the ball into right field, bringing home Brooks Lee and Christian Vazquez.
Cleveland starter Gavin Williams worked six scoreless innings, scattering four hits and a pair of walks. The right-hander struck out eight and worked out of a bases-loaded jam in the fourth by getting Lee to ground out to end the inning.
All-Star Ryan allowed two runs on five hits in six innings. The right-hander struck out four and walked one, not figuring in the decision after losing four straight starts to Cleveland.
–Field Level Media
