MINNEAPOLIS -- In the closest thing to a must-win game they’ve had all year, the Twins showed their trademark fight but just didn’t have enough.
The Guardians rallied for three runs against Yoendrys Gómez in the top of the ninth to send Minnesota to a 5-2 defeat on Friday in the opener of a vital three-game series at Target Field. The loss dropped the Twins 5 1/2 games behind Cleveland for the final American League Wild Card spot, with only two head-to-head games remaining between the two division rivals.
For the second straight game, walks proved costly for the Twins. Gómez issued a leadoff walk and then loaded the bases with a one-out walk before issuing a wild pitch that brought home the go-ahead run. Brayan Rocchio’s two-run double broke the game open.
Twins pitchers issued six walks on the night, after walking eight on Wednesday in Detroit. Since moving into Wild Card position on Aug. 19 following a sweep of the Braves, Minnesota has lost 13 out of 19, putting its playoff chances in dire jeopardy.
Taj Bradley did all he could over six innings. Bradley issued three leadoff walks (four total) but only one hit and no runs, striking out six and holding a 1-0 lead when he was removed from the game. But Cleveland rallied against the Twins’ bullpen, and though Minnesota tied the score in the seventh inning, it could not regain the lead.