Willi Castro hits a 2-run homer, Twins down Guardians 4-1 to stay locked into AL wild-card spot

CLEVELAND, OH – Willi Castro launched a two-run homer, and Matt Wallner drove in two runs as the Minnesota Twins rebounded from a tough loss to defeat the Cleveland Guardians 4-1 on Tuesday night, solidifying their position in the race for the final AL wild card spot.

Castro’s pivotal homer came in the eighth inning, while Wallner’s RBIs were both off Gavin Williams (3-10), who has struggled with just one win in his last seven starts. The Twins entered the game with a 1.5-game lead over Detroit for the last playoff berth and maintained it with solid defense, strong relief pitching, and Castro’s clutch hit, especially after blowing a 3-0 lead the previous night.

Lane Thomas homered for the Guardians, who lead the AL Central and are closing in on a postseason spot, which they could clinch as early as Wednesday. Cleveland had rallied for its MLB-leading 40th comeback win on Monday against Minnesota.

This time, however, the Twins held firm, even as the Guardians loaded the bases with two outs in the ninth. Manager Rocco Baldelli, who had to manage the final four innings after pulling rookie Zebby Matthews in the fifth, brought in Griffin Jax. Despite giving up a go-ahead homer to rookie Kyle Manzardo on Monday, Jax struck out pinch-hitter David Fry and allowed only an infield single before retiring Bo Naylor to secure his ninth save. The Twins’ dugout let out a collective sigh of relief when the game concluded.

Cole Sands (9-1) earned the win after working one inning, helping the Twins snap a five-game losing streak in Cleveland. Baldelli praised Matthews, who pitched 4 2/3 innings, allowing just one run—one out shy of qualifying for a win.

In the seventh, down 2-1, the Guardians seemed to gain momentum with a lead-off single from Manzardo. However, pinch-runner Myles Straw, recently called up from Triple-A Columbus, was picked off at first base. Initially ruled safe, the call was overturned after a challenge, leaving Straw to walk back to the dugout in disappointment.

**UP NEXT**
Cleveland’s RHP Tanner Bibee (11-8, 3.60 ERA), who has won just once in his last five starts, will face the Twins’ RHP Bailey Ober (12-7, 3.90 ERA) as the Guardians aim to inch closer to the playoffs on Wednesday.