Guardians stop losing streak at 7 and beat Twins 2-1 thanks to home runs by Steven Kwan and Bo Naylor

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Steven Kwan hit a home run on the second pitch of the game and Bo Naylor also hit a home run for the Cleveland Guardians in a 2-1 victory over the Minnesota Twins on Saturday night, ending their seven-game losing streak and opening up some space in the tightening race for the AL Central.

Cleveland extended its lead over defending champion Minnesota to 2 1/2 games, ending its longest losing streak since April 22-28, 2022.

Gavin Williams (2-4) gave the Guardians six strong innings on just the right night, allowing one run on four hits and no walks and having three strikeouts in his best of eight starts this year.

Kwan, the All-Star left fielder who always brought dynamism as a leadoff player, hit a fastball from Simeon Woods Richardson into the seats above right-center field for his 11th home run, matching his total from his first two major league seasons.

Woods Richardson (3-3) was just as good as Williams, going a career-high seven innings and allowing only two baserunners – both singles – in addition to the home runs. The rookie threw just 89 pitches.

The Twins also played excellent defense behind him: First baseman Carlos Santana and second baseman Austin Martin were each able to make two dives, and third baseman Jose Miranda followed up a foul popup with a basket catch and turned his back to the infield.

But the two costly throws to Kwan and Naylor were uncatchable. Naylor’s ninth home run on a fastball on the first pitch opened the sixth inning before the Twins answered in the bottom of the inning with a double by Willi Castro and consecutive groundouts that put him ahead and cut the lead to 2-1.

From there, Cleveland’s bullpen took over, with Cade Smith, Hunter Gaddis and Emmanuel Clase each throwing a perfect inning. Clase earned his 34th save, second in the major leagues, in 37 attempts.

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Guardians: RHP Tanner Bibee (9-4, 3.48 ERA) pitches the final game of the series, 12 days after his last start. He was removed from the rotation to rest a sore shoulder.

Twins: RHP David Festa (2-2, 5.55 ERA) is on the mound Sunday. The rookie is coming off his best of four career starts when he threw five shutout innings against the Chicago Cubs on Monday.

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