Ever since the Twins’ series against the reigning World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers, they have been on a hot streak. Minnesota won 8 of their last 11 with 3 series wins over the Colorado Rockies, Houston Astros, the infamous New York Yankees, and the first two games against their divisional rival, the Cleveland Guardians. 

Coming into Thursday afternoon’s matinee affair, they had the chance to tie the Guardians for second place in the American League Central. The Chicago White Sox still have a slight lead over both ballclubs: 0.5 game over the Guardians, 2.5 games over the Twins, a tight race (that’s how close the American League Central is). 

A key reason why the Twins have caught fire is their pitching, which has improved over this stretch. Starting pitcher Taj Bradley has led the way, averaging just over nine strikeouts a game since June 26th. Bailey Ober in Thursday’s game played well with 5 strikeouts, and only 1 run earned over 5 innings pitched. 

After the Guardians’ Gabriel Arias hit a solo shot in the top of the 2nd inning, Tristan Gray in the bottom of the 5th inning took a bases-loaded diamond and sliced a bloop single into right field, scoring the tying run for Minnesota. The Twins, unfortunately, couldn’t capitalize further that inning as Gavin Williams closed out the inning with a nasty strike 3 looking sweeper pitch on Trevor Larnach.

In the following inning Chase Delauter took a Kendry Rojas pitch upwards and inside the pitching zone zone to the bleachers for a Guardians run. There wasn’t much Rojas could’ve done, but Delauter jumped on the pitch and began a Cleveland offensive avalanche as the Twins couldn’t muster up a comeback in the remaining innings against the Guardians bats. The Guardians would extend their lead in the next inning (top of the seventh) with Brayan Rocchio knocking a critical 2-RBI double into left field. Cleveland would end the game winning 5-2 following a Royce Lewis solo home run to left field and a Patrick Bailey solo home run to right field. 

Even with the loss, the Twins still would come out of the 3-game series victorious, winning 2-out-of-3. They finish with 4 straight series wins against a variety of National League, outside-division American League, and in-division American League Central competition. They play the Los Angeles Angels at home tomorrow (July 10) – Sunday (July 12). The Angels have the worst record in the MLB (37-56, .398), so there is a great chance that Minnesota can get their fifth straight series win this weekend at Target Field.