David Fry hit a three-run home run in the second inning, and the visiting Cleveland Guardians held on for a 3-1 win over the Minnesota Twins on Saturday afternoon in Minneapolis.
Seven Guardians pitchers combined to hold the Twins to two hits. Cleveland won its fourth game in a row and continued its hot start, with seven wins in nine games.
Alex Kirilloff ripped an RBI triple to account for Minnesota’s lone run. The Twins were held to two runs or fewer for the fourth time in seven games.
Guardians right-hander Nick Sandlin (2-0) earned the win with an inning of hitless relief. He struck out two batters.
Twins right-hander Joe Ryan (0-1) gave up three runs on five hits in six innings. He walked none and struck out seven, and he threw 67 of 90 pitches for strikes.
Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase pitched a scoreless ninth to pick up his fourth save.
Minnesota opened the scoring in the bottom of the first. Carlos Correa drew a one-out walk and came around to score on a triple to right field by Kirilloff.
Cleveland grabbed the lead in the top of the second. Fry belted a three-run homer an estimated 424 feet to left-center field to drive in Tyler Freeman and Will Brennan.
The blast marked Fry’s first home run of the season and the fifth of his career.
Guardians right-hander Carlos Carrasco allowed one run on one hit in three innings in his second start of the season. He walked three and struck out six, and he gave way to the bullpen after throwing 78 pitches.
Sandlin, Cade Smith, Hunter Gaddis, Scott Barlow, Tyler Beede and Clase combined to throw six scoreless innings to preserve the lead for the Guardians.
Cleveland played its first game since learning that right-hander Shane Bieber will require season-ending elbow surgery. Bieber, 28, posted a 2-0 record and tossed 12 scoreless innings before he was shut down.
–Field Level Media
