After romping to a 20-6 victory within the opener of their three-game collection with the Cleveland Guardians, the visiting Minnesota Twins will flip to All-Star right-hander Sonny Gray to try to clinch the collection win on Tuesday evening.
The American League ERA chief, Gray (7-6, 2.92 ERA) is 6-5 with a 3.41 ERA in 18 profession begins in opposition to the Guardians. He most just lately confronted them final Wednesday, permitting simply three hits throughout seven scoreless innings.
Minnesota’s bullpen could not maintain a 2-0 lead after Gray’s departure in that contest, and Cleveland (66-72), behind a three-run homer by Kole Calhoun within the tenth inning, rallied for a 5-2 victory.
The Guardians‘ scheduled starter for Tuesday, rookie right-hander Tanner Bibee (10-3, 3.03), additionally began that sport and got here away with a no-decision. He gave up two runs on 4 hits and three walks over 5 innings whereas placing out eight.
Bibee is 0-0 with a 4.50 ERA in two profession begins in opposition to the Twins.
It was a “grand” begin to the collection for Minnesota (72-66), which prolonged its AL Central lead to six video games over Cleveland with the lopsided victory.
Rookie third baseman Royce Lewis helped propel Minnesota to a 9-0 lead within the first three innings together with his third grand slam over an eight-game span. Lewis grew to become the primary rookie in main league historical past and solely the fourth participant total to accomplish that feat, becoming a member of Lou Gehrig (1931), Jim Northrup (1968) and Larry Parrish (1982).
Lewis, who has performed in 56 profession video games, additionally grew to become the quickest participant to hit 4 grand slams. Rudy York of the Tigers held the earlier mark with 4 in 132 video games in 1938.
“It’s pretty special,” Lewis admitted afterward. “I’ve just been blessed with opportunities by the great team that we have and these guys putting me in good situations. So, hopefully we get more situations like that for everyone.”
Minnesota supervisor Rocco Baldelli has been impressed with Lewis’ poise on the plate with runners in scoring place.
“For some (players) there would be added anxiety hitting with the bases loaded,” Baldelli stated. “I think he’s kind of a free and easy guy. He loves coming up with people on base. I think you get the best out of him. He’s showing that. That’s a great trait to have.”
Lewis completed 3-for-4 with six RBIs on Monday, additionally ripping a two-run, line-drive single with the bases loaded within the sixth off reliever Enyel De Los Santos that prolonged the lead to 11-1. It was after that at-bat that Cleveland supervisor Terry Francona turned to backup catcher David Fry to pitch the ultimate 4 innings and provides his weary bullpen a break.
“One of my fears was that we were going to score a couple, and (the lead) is under eight (runs), and we can’t finish the game without hurting somebody,” Francona stated.
Fry allowed seven runs on 10 hits, together with dwelling runs to Joey Gallo, Kyle Farmer and Matt Wallner.
“He’s strong enough mentally to just not overdue it and he won’t hurt himself,” Francona stated of Fry. “And now, hopefully we have a chance to win (Tuesday), and if we do, he sucked up a bunch of innings for us.”
—Field Level Media
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