The Cleveland Guardians dropped their series opener against the Minnesota Twins, 3-1, at Target Field on Tuesday. It was their third straight loss, all of them against division rivals.
Not only did the Guardians fail to keep up with the division leaders, the Chicago White Sox, but now the Twins are just two games behind them in the AL Central. Objects in mirrors are closer than they appear, and Minnesota is definitely eager to make things interesting in the standings.
Not our night.#GuardsBall pic.twitter.com/xWeSXtzPeO
— Cleveland Guardians (@CleGuardians) July 8, 2026
The Guardians’ offense was limited to one run and just three hits in another mediocre showing. Joey Cantillo did his best to keep the Twins’ bats in check, but winning ballgames while racking up three hits is an impossible task.
Cantillo surrendered just two runs in five innings, and none of them were earned. He allowed six hits and three walks, so there was definitely a lot of traffic on the basepaths, but he struck out seven to help himself put out any fires. Still, it wasn’t enough to get the win.
On the other hand, Twins starter Taj Bradley tossed a masterpiece, completing seven innings of just one run and striking out ten.
The Guardians were the ones who scored first, thanks to a solo home run by Rhys Hoskins in the top of the second.
Home run number 8️⃣ on the season for 8️⃣.#GuardsBall pic.twitter.com/2sy52KYJj5
— Cleveland Guardians (@CleGuardians) July 8, 2026
Minnesota didn’t take long to reply, though. Austin Martin drove in Kody Clemens with a game-tying sac fly in the bottom of the inning, and a Brooks Lee RBI single broke the tie and gave the home club a 2-1 lead.
The Guardians’ defense had a rough frame, which led to the unearned runs charged to Cantillo. Travis Bazzana committed his fifth error of the year.
Clemens brought former Guardian Josh Bell home with a triple in the bottom of the seventh, giving Minnesota a much-needed insurance run.
Bazzana, the leadoff guy, and second-hole hitter Khalil Watson combined to go 0-for-7 with four strikeouts. The red-hot Chase DeLauter had two hits, including a double, and Hoskins went 1-for-3 with the long ball. Other than that, the offense disappeared again.
The two teams will face off again on Tuesday, with Slade Cecconi toeing the rubber for Cleveland and Connor Prielipp taking the ball for the Twins.
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