Jhoan Duran’s second-half struggles were on display again Wednesday as he threw a pitch behind a batter that allowed the tying run to score from third base with two outs in the ninth inning.
Minnesota was leading 2-1 when Duran gave up walk and a single with one out, with those runners advancing to second and third on a groundout back to Duran. Then with two strikes against Bo Naylor, Duran spiked a curveball into the dirt behind Naylor and the ball went to the backstop, allowing the tying run to score.
In the tenth inning, Cleveland had runners at the corners when Twins manager Rocco Baldelli pulled Emilio Pagan in favor of left-hander Kody Funderburk, who was making his second big-league appearance after pitching two shutout innings earlier this week. It didn’t go well for him as he fell behind Kole Calhoun 3-0 and then piped a fastball down the middle of the plate that Calhoun smashed into the seats for a three-run homer and a 5-2 Cleveland lead.
More like Folk Calhoun.#ForTheLand pic.twitter.com/T6WiOyzFn7
— Cleveland Guardians (@CleGuardians) August 30, 2023
Minnesota failed to respond in the bottom of the tenth and lost 5-2, falling for the second consecutive game as their lead in the AL Central Division dropped from seven games on Monday to five games entering play Thursday.
The bullpen failures wasted a great start by Twins right-hander Sonny Gray, who allowed just three hits in seven shutout innings.
Minnesota’s lineup managed just four hits, including a two-run single by Jorge Polanco in the fifth inning.
Up next: Twins at Rangers, Friday at 7:05 p.m. CT
