Twins End Losing Streak with 5-4 Victory Over Guardians

Trevor Larnach's two-run hit ignited a four-run first inning as the Minnesota Twins triumphed over the Cleveland Guardians 5-4 on Sunday, successfully avoiding a three-game sweep.

In that explosive opening frame, both Matt Wallner and Royce Lewis contributed with RBIs against Joey Cantillo (2-2), who managed to strike out a season-high nine batters over 5 2/3 innings. Kody Clemens added an insurance run in the eighth with a well-placed bunt single that brought DaShawn Keirsey Jr. home.

Entering the ninth inning, the Guardians found themselves down 5-2. However, Brayan Rocchio's pinch-hit single off Michael Tonkin allowed Nolan Jones and C.J. Kayfus to score, narrowing the gap. Erasmo Ramírez then stepped in, retiring Daniel Schneemann and José Ramírez in succession to secure the victory.

This win marked the end of Minnesota's four-game losing streak. Kody Funderburk (2-1) delivered two scoreless innings in relief, while Ramírez notched a save in his first major league appearance since August 30, 2024, with Tampa Bay.

For Cleveland, José Ramírez hit a two-run homer in the first inning, and Schneemann recorded three hits for the second consecutive day. Kayfus celebrated his first major league hit with a double, just one day after being called up from Triple-A Columbus.

José Ureña, now pitching for his sixth team in three years, started for the Twins and allowed two runs over four innings. Both Wallner and Clemens contributed two hits each to the Twins' effort.

Cantillo faced an early challenge, surrendering four consecutive hits to Austin Martin, Ryan Jeffers, Wallner, and Lewis right out of the gate. Remarkably, he had only allowed three hits in the first inning across his previous five starts this season.

Ureña made history as the first player this season to appear in games for four different teams, having previously pitched for the Mets, Blue Jays, and Dodgers.

Looking ahead, Twins manager Rocco Baldelli has yet to announce who will take the mound for Monday's bullpen game against Detroit.

On the other side, Guardians' RHP Slade Cecconi (5-7, 3.77 ERA) is set to open a three-game series on Monday at the New York Mets.