José Ramírez hit a home run after a long 12-pitch at-bat and contributed three RBIs, while Logan Allen pitched six solid innings, leading the Cleveland Guardians to an 11-4 victory against the Minnesota Twins on Saturday night. The Twins lost their fifth consecutive game and continued to struggle offensively.
Ramírez started strong with his two-run homer in the first inning against Bailey Ober (4-2) and added an RBI double. It was a special night for the Guardians as they honored their All-Star third baseman with a bobblehead giveaway.
“It feels like everyone in the dugout predicts his home runs,” said Tyler Freeman of Cleveland, who had a career-high four hits with three RBIs. “Playing behind him is so enjoyable, and when he starts strong, it ignites our team.”
Ramírez came close to hitting for the cycle but fell short, needing a triple. The Guardians, who are leading the AL Central, reached their highest point of the season, going 12 games over .500.
Allen (5-2) limited the Twins to five singles and maintained a scoreless streak for his last 12 innings over two starts. He walked one and struck out seven batters.
Cleveland’s Andrés Giménez contributed with two RBIs, and rookie Kyle Manzardo got his first RBI with a double in the fifth inning.
The Twins, who had previously won 17 out of 20 games, are now struggling. They scored four runs in the ninth inning to avoid being shut out for the third time in five days but have been outscored 28-7 during their recent five-game losing streak.
“It’s a strange game we play,” said Twins manager Rocco Baldelli. “There’s nothing quite like it. You can be on a hot streak for weeks, feeling like you can do no wrong, but the game can quickly turn against you.”
