The Guardians topped the Twins 2-1 to avoid being swept Wednesday afternoon, but it may be too little too late as Minnesota entered Cleveland with a five-game lead and left with a six-game lead in the AL Central.
Minnesota smoked Cleveland 20-6 on Monday and followed up with an 8-3 win Tuesday. The loss Wednesday ends the season series between the two clubs, with the Twins entering the final 22 games of the season with a 6-game cushion.
That said, Cleveland won the 13-game season series 7-6, so in the event that they finish in a tie with the Twins, they will win the tiebreaker.
Cleveland starter Gavin Williams held the Twins to one run on one hit and four walks in five innings. Joe Ryan lasted just four innings for the Twins, using 89 pitches to get 12 outs while giving up two runs on four hits and two walks.
Louie Varland pitched three perfect innings in his debut as a reliever for Minnesota this season before allowing a walk and a hit in his fourth inning of work. He was replaced by rookie left-hander Kody Funderburk, who retired three batters to get out of the ninth-inning jam.
Up next: Twins vs. New York Mets, Friday in Minneapolis at 7:10 p.m.
