I don’t know what to write anymore about this godforsaken team, who lost 6-0 in the matinee and then rolled it back with a 8-0 loss in the nightcap. Like, what are we doin’ here.
I debated a copy-paste job for the second recap, in a bit of fist-shaking performance art at this Pohlad-assembled monstrosity. After all, the song remains the same, for the most part — minor variations in Game Two included six earned runs charged to tonight’s starter, Bailey Ober, but none on the long ball (in a welcome change of pace from Joe Ryan’s effort earlier today.)
Instead, a crooked outburst from Cleveland in the fifth inning set the table:
Kayfus would single and steal before Rocchio grounded out to end the inning with the damage done. They’d add insurance, if it can be called that, after Mick Abel walked the bases loaded in relief and gave up a two-run eighth-inning single to Kwan.
Abel piggybacked to completion with Ober (he what?), meaning that Rocco Baldelli got away with a four-pitcher doubleheader. You might expect the results to be a little better given those metrics, but the 2025 Minnesota Twins are no longer playing baseball games with results in mind.
After Logan Allen dominated with eight shutout innings in a heroic effort, it was a DaShawn Keirsey Jr. grounder that would end the game, and leave Clevelanders uproarious in celebration. For with this win tonight, the Guardians are on the doorstep of the division — literally a nigh-impossible one game back — with one more game against these doormats tomorrow, and then three head-to-head with the Detroit Tigers at home.
At the very least, you can’t say the Twins aren’t contributing something to the greater narrative of the game. Where would these teams be without all the free wins in Minnesota?
SP Bailey Ober (5 IP, 8 H, 6 ER, 2 BB, K)
The Offense (4-for-28, BB, 9 K)