Game Recap 9/5/23 | Guardians Lose To The Twins 8-3

Post-Game Live Recap

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3 Things About Guardians Loss to Minnesota Twins:

1 – Francona Latest

Before the game, Guardians Manager Terry Francona went on MLB Network Radio and said the following:

“I think I’ve been pretty clear with people. I don’t want to have the last month be a sendoff or a pity party. That’s not how I feel. But it’s time. My body is telling me that. My head is telling me that. And I don’t want to stay on for the wrong reasons. I hope I have too much respect, for not just the game, but for this organization to do that. So I’ve been pretty clear with the guys I work for and told them to start preparing ’cause it’s time.”

Sounds like Francona will be stepping down by the end of the season.

2 – 8th Inning Backbreaker

With the game tied at 3 in the top of the 8th, Trevor Stephan came into the inning and gave up five runs capped off by a bases-clearing Willi Castro triple that should have been a single, but Myles Straw allowed the ball to get passed him.

3 – Bo HR

Bo Naylor hit another home run in the bottom of the 3rd, a two-run shot.  Bo has hit three home runs in the last eight games.

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Game Summary

In Minnesota’s five-run eighth inning, Jorge Polanco delivered a sacrifice fly, and Donovan Solano came through with a three-run triple, expanding the Twins’ lead in the AL Central to seven games over second-place Cleveland. The Twins secured an 8-3 victory over the Guardians on Tuesday night.

Polanco’s deep shot to right field off Trevor Stephan (6-6) brought in pinch-runner Joey Gallo, breaking the 3-3 tie. Later in the inning, Solano’s line drive to center eluded outfielder Myles Straw, rolling all the way to the wall and clearing the bases.

With these two consecutive victories in the pivotal three-game series, Minnesota reached a seven-game lead above .500 for the first time in 2023. More importantly, they likely buried the defending division champion Guardians with only 23 games remaining.

Minnesota’s Christian Vázquez, who homered in the sixth inning against Guardians reliever Matt Moore to knot the score at 3-3, kickstarted the eighth inning with a single. Willi Castro followed with a double down the left-field line. Gallo, subbing in for Vázquez, scored easily on Polanco’s sacrifice fly before Will Brennan’s throw.

Stephan’s wild pitch extended the lead to 5-3, and he subsequently walked two batters and hit another, setting the stage for Solano’s decisive blow.

Bo Naylor provided a glimmer of hope for the Guardians with a two-run homer, but this came after they were crushed 20-6 in the series opener on Monday.

Griffin Jax (6-8) struck out two batters in one inning after replacing starter Sonny Gray. Caleb Thielbar handled the eighth inning, and Emilio Pagán wrapped up the game for Minnesota.

With one out, Vázquez wasted no time, sending Moore’s first pitch down the right-field line, the ball disappearing into the seats just inside the foul pole.

The Guardians received a solid performance from rookie Tanner Bibee, who limited the Twins to two runs and four hits in five innings, a stark contrast to the previous night when Minnesota took advantage of Lucas Giolito’s Cleveland debut, scoring nine runs in three innings.

Up Next

The rivals meet for the final time in 2023 with Guardians rookie RHP Gavin Williams (1-5, 3.46 ERA) starting against Twins RHP Joe Ryan (10-8, 4.20).

Wednesday 9/6 1:10 PM EST – Series Finale Versus Minnesota Twins