Twins Nip Guardians 3-1 With Bradley Dominant Pitch

Taj Bradley Delivers Winning Effort

Taj Bradley tamed the Guardians lineup, allowing just one earned run over seven innings while striking out ten batters. The right‑hander racked up a career‑high 25 swinging strikes, matching his previous best of 11 strikeouts against Houston earlier in the season. Bradley improved to 8‑3 and secured his third victory in the last four starts for Minnesota. His complete game effort, coupled with three hits, underscored his dominance on the mound.

Kody Clemens sparked the Twins offense with two hits and an RBI, turning a defensive slip into crucial runs. A grounder that slipped through second base and a poorly timed relay allowed Clemens to reach safely, setting up Austin Martin’s sacrifice fly and Brooks Lee’s two‑out single. Luke Keaschall’s base‑loaded single further inflated the margin, giving the Twins a 2‑1 cushion before Clemens added a triple to drive in Josh Bell. The miscues proved costly for Cleveland, turning a early solo homer by Rhys Hoskins into a losing effort.

Guardians Struggles Persist

Rhys Hoskins plated the Guardians’ only run with a solo home run in the second inning, but the mistake‑laden defense handed the Twins the advantage. Joey Cantillo logged five innings, yielding two unearned runs on six hits while walking three and striking out seven batters. The righty fell to 7‑4, extending Cleveland’s losing streak to three games. Despite a solid outing from Cantillo, the unforced errors and a costly relay allowed Minnesota to seize control and stay alive in the series.

Taylor Rogers and Yoendrys Gómez combined for a scoreless ninth, sealing a comfortable three‑game sweep for the Twins. Minnesota’s recent surge places them six wins above .500 in their last eight contests, highlighting a strong second half. Cleveland, meanwhile, remains stuck in a slump, having dropped three straight and hovering just under .500. The loss dims their playoff hopes and underscores the importance of tightening up the defensive crate.

Looking Ahead

The Twins will look to continue their momentum with left‑hander Connor Prielipp slated to face the Guardians’ Slade Cecconi on Wednesday. Prielipp sports a 2‑5 record and a 4.96 ERA, while Cecconi is 4‑6 with a 4.44 ERA. Both pitchers will aim to capitalize on their opponents’ recent defensive vulnerabilities, making the upcoming matchup a key test for both clubs.