Pablo López pitched seven strong innings, and Trevor Larnach hit two home runs as the Minnesota Twins defeated the St. Louis Cardinals 6-0 on Saturday night.
López (12-8) allowed four hits, struck out nine, and walked one, extending his scoreless streak to 13 innings. He has gone at least six innings in six of his last seven starts, with a 2.25 ERA and 40 strikeouts in 44 innings during that time.
“He pitched great,” Twins manager Rocco Baldelli said. “His stuff today was probably the best that he’s had all year.”
St. Louis right-hander Sonny Gray (11-9) struck out seven in six innings but gave up five runs and seven hits. It was his first game at Target Field since he played for the Twins in 2023.
Gray had struggled over the past two months, with a 5.68 ERA in nine starts since June 29. Early in the game, he appeared to be the pitcher who finished second in AL Cy Young voting last year.
In the first inning, Gray struck out all three batters on 10 pitches and had a smooth second inning. However, trouble began in the third inning when No. 9 hitter Austin Martin hit a double to the opposite field.
Willi Castro walked on a full count, then Larnach hit a high, inside cutter for a three-run homer. Two more singles and an RBI fielder’s choice put the Twins ahead 4-0 after three innings.
“The frustrating part for me is that it seems to be the same game over and over and over,” said Gray, who has lost his last three starts. “Put up some zeros and then have a big inning, give up two, three, four in one inning, and then throw the ball well after that.”
