​Fresh off a 11-strikeout performance against the Houston Astros in his previous outing, Twins starter Taj Bradley delivered seven innings of one-run ball Tuesday night. He fanned 10, marking the first time in his career that he has recorded double-digit strikeouts in consecutive starts. His cutter proved especially troublesome for the Guardians, as he increased its usage and it accounted for 17 of his 25 swinging strikes. Seven of Bradley’s ten strikeouts came with the cutter.
The lone blemish on his line came in the second inning when Rhys Hoskins stepped in and homered. That was one of just three hits the Guardians (47-45) managed off Bradley in the Twins’ (45-47) victory. While Minnesota’s offense contributed across the lineup, Bradley was the standout on Tuesday night.
The Guardians, typically a defense-first club, handed the Twins extra chances in the second inning, and Minnesota took advantage. Kody Clemens reached on an error to begin the frame, and more defensive miscues followed, loading the bases with nobody out. Austin Martin’s sacrifice fly tied the game at that point, and Brooks Lee followed with a single to drive in the go-ahead run. Minnesota added another run later in the game when Josh Bell sprinted home from first on a Clemens triple in the eighth.
Looking ahead, Connor Prielipp (2-5, 4.96 ERA) will start the second game of the series on Wednesday for the Twins, who will counter with Slade Cecconi (4-6, 4.44 ERA) for the Guardians.
In other news, Byron Buxton has landed on the injured list and will miss the All-Star Game. The Twins are also continuing to explore bullpen options, as fresh relief pitchers remain a talking point after their latest win.
The Twins’ win marked a milestone moment to hop on the bandwagon of several recent headlines about Minnesota’s roster moves and upcoming decisions. This victory also serves as a reminder that the club is continuing to chase consistency, leveraging Bradley’s strong outing to complement a lineup that has shown flashes of its potential in innings like the pivotal second.
With the Guardians’ performance in the field serving as a contrast, Minnesota’s ability to capitalize on even minor defensive lapses underscores the importance of timely hitting and opportunistic baserunning. The Twins now turn the page to Wednesday’s game, eager to see if they can sustain the momentum and keep pace in a tight division race.