Kyle Manzardo’s homer in the 9th inning propels Guardians to 2-1 victory over Twins

CLEVELAND , OH — Kyle Manzardo launched a leadoff home run in the bottom of the ninth inning, lifting the Cleveland Guardians to a 2-1 walk-off victory over the Minnesota Twins on Tuesday night and snapping their three-game losing skid.

Manzardo crushed a changeup from Twins reliever Louis Varland (1-2) into the right-field seats for his eighth homer of the season — and the first walk-off hit of his major league career. It marked Cleveland’s second walk-off win of the year; their first came on April 8 in the home opener against the White Sox via a bases-loaded walk.

Emmanuel Clase (4-0) earned the win with a scoreless top of the ninth, despite allowing a single to Ty France. France’s hit brought in pinch-runner DaShawn Keirsey Jr., but he was thrown out attempting to steal second, stalling Minnesota’s momentum.

Bo Naylor also homered for the Guardians, breaking out of a slump with a solo shot in the third inning off Twins starter Chris Paddack. Naylor worked a nine-pitch at-bat before sending a fastball into the right-field stands, giving Cleveland an early 1-0 lead.

France responded for Minnesota in the fifth, blasting a solo homer of his own to right-center off Cleveland starter Tanner Bibee. It extended his RBI streak to four games and was part of a three-hit night for the Twins first baseman.

The game was delayed for over three hours due to thunderstorms in the area but eventually got underway after the long wait.

Up Next:
Minnesota sends right-hander Pablo López (2-1, 2.08 ERA) to the mound on Wednesday to face Cleveland’s Luis Ortiz (2-3, 5.96 ERA).