Tonight’s game got off to a fast start. The Guardians struck first – after Kwan and Martinez started the game with a single and HBP respectively, Kwan scored on a slow roller to 2nd base by José Ramírez, making it 1 to nothing Guards. It then became 2 to nothing when Martinez scored on a sac fly to right, and finally Travis Bazzana capped off the inning by hammering the first home run of his big league career 427 ft to right center field. The two-out two-run blast made it 4-0 Guards.
After the early scoring, it became a pitchers’ duel. Parker Messick looked like his usual self, surrendering just 2 hits through the first 5 innings and not giving up a run. After Messick struck out Buxton, a bloop double would lead to the Twins’ first run of the game. The Twins would attempt to score another run, but Petey Halpin was able to throw Ryan Jeffers out at the plate for the 2nd out. Unfortunately, Messick would not retire another hitter and would be relieved by Matt Festa, who struck out Victor Caratini with the bases loaded to get out of the jam.
The Twins would come within a run, after Byron Buxton hit a two-run home run in the top of the 7th, making the score 4-3. In the bottom of the 7th inning, Kwan would hit a one-out double, then move to third on a swinging bunt by Martinez. José Ramirez then came to the plate and the Twins decided to pitch to him. José served up a nice soft line drive the other way between the shifted over SS and the 3B to drive home a big insurance run for the home team.
After a scoreless top half of the 8th, Travis Bazzana would steal one of his teammate José Ramírez’s tricks. He reached base hustling down the line to beat out a potential double play, and would go on to steal second, then steal third as part of a double steal with Rocchio, and eventually score on an infield single by Austin Hedges.
Cade Smith came in for the third day in a row for the save in the now 6-3 game. The Twins threatened early, putting runners on the corners with no outs, but Smith was able to get the double play ball. The Twins tacked on a run to make it 6-4 on the play, but with two outs and no one on base, Smith would strike out Josh Bell to end the game and secure a 6-4 series opening victory for the Guards!
Tomorrow’s game will feature Joe Ryan vs Tanner Bibee as the Guardians look to win the series. First pitch is at 6:10.
