Joe Ryan’s Six‑HR Collapse vs Cleveland Guardians

Twins Fall Further Behind After a Pitching Explosion

The Minnesota Twins entered Monday night with a 49‑52 record and found themselves slipping deeper in the AL Central after starter Joe Ryan surrendered six home runs in just four innings. The Guardians, who entered with the league’s fewest homers (94), erupted for seven long balls to secure a 13‑4 victory. The loss widened the gap between the two Central foes, leaving the Twins further behind the Guardians in both the division and the wild‑card chase.

Guardians Power Five Different Hitters in a Raucous First Four Innings

Five distinct Guardians crossed the plate with swings that left Ryan in disbelief. Rhys Hoskins and Petey Halpin each cracked two home runs off the Twins pitcher, while Travis Bazzana, Brayan Rocchio, and Patrick Bailey added solitary shots. Halpin’s first career home run came in his 40th MLB game, and his second solo shot extended Cleveland’s lead to 5‑2 after the second inning. Kody Funderburk later added an insurance homer, giving the Guardians their seventh home run of the game.

Ryan’s Night Writes Itself Into Uncharted Twins History

The six‑home‑run onslaught became the most ever allowed by a Twins hurler and tied Ryan for the most home runs given up in a single game in baseball’s modern era, placing him alongside ten other pitchers dating back to 1932. Ryan was pulled after the fourth inning, having allowed eight earned runs, and saw his ERA climb from 2.85 to 3.38. His seasonal home‑run total leapt from ten to sixteen, a stark contrast to his previously steady season.

Postgame Reflections and What It Means for Both Clubs

Speaking after the defeat, Ryan admitted he was still trying to figure things out, noting that the Guardians’ approach appeared to be “very accurate” and that hitters who normally struggled with fastballs were crushing them. The Twins’ record now sits at 49‑52, and the rotation will need to rebound quickly to stay in the playoff picture. Cleveland, now second‑to‑last in the AL with 101 homers, sits comfortably ahead of the Red Sox (95) and maintains its position as a spoiler in the wild‑card race.

The Broader Context of a Rare Pitching Meltdown

According to Twins beat reporter Aaron Gleeman, Ryan has given up five or more home runs in a game three times, a rarity that only two other pitchers in franchise history have matched. This night joins a short list of infamous outings that redefine a pitcher’s season and challenge a team’s confidence. For the Guardians, the win reinforces their reputation as a pitching‑defensive unit that can capitalize on any opponent’s miscues, while the Twins must quickly address the rotation’s vulnerability to keep pace with the league’s top teams.