Twins score 4 runs in 1st inning, beat Guardians 5-4 to snap 4-game losing streak

CLEVELAND, OH — Trevor Larnach delivered a two-run single during a four-run first inning as the Minnesota Twins held off the Cleveland Guardians 5–4 on Sunday, avoiding a three-game sweep.

Minnesota came out swinging against Cleveland starter Joey Cantillo (2–2), with Matt Wallner and Royce Lewis also driving in runs in the opening frame. Though Cantillo settled in to strike out a season-high nine batters over 5 2/3 innings, the early damage proved costly.

Kody Clemens added a crucial insurance run in the eighth, laying down a bunt single that brought home DaShawn Keirsey Jr. to make it 5–2.

The Guardians mounted a late rally in the ninth. Brayan Rocchio came off the bench to deliver a pinch-hit single off Michael Tonkin, scoring Nolan Jones and C.J. Kayfus to cut the deficit to one. But reliever Erasmo Ramírez came in and calmly retired Daniel Schneemann and José Ramírez to seal the win.

The victory snapped a four-game losing streak for the Twins. Kody Funderburk (2–1) pitched two scoreless innings in relief, and Ramírez earned the save in his first major league appearance since August 30, 2024, with Tampa Bay.

José Ramírez hit a two-run homer in the first, while Schneemann notched three hits for the second straight game. Kayfus doubled for his first MLB hit just one day after being called up from Triple-A Columbus.

Twins starter José Ureña, now with his sixth team in three seasons, allowed two runs over four innings. He became the first player this year to appear in games for four different clubs, having previously pitched for the Mets, Blue Jays, and Dodgers. Wallner and Clemens each had two hits for Minnesota.

Cantillo entered the game having allowed just three first-inning hits across his five previous starts, but the Twins tagged him for four straight to open the game: singles from Austin Martin, Ryan Jeffers, Wallner, and Lewis.

Up next:

• Twins: Manager Rocco Baldelli has yet to name a starter for Monday’s bullpen game in Detroit.
• Guardians: Right-hander Slade Cecconi (5–7, 3.77 ERA) takes the mound Monday to open a three-game series against the New York Mets.