As potent as the Twins’ batting order, Shane Bieber was even better Thursday night as the right-hander led the Cleveland Indians to a 2-0 victory at Target Field.
Bieber, who had 14 strikeouts in six innings in his first start of the season last week, mowed down the Twins over eight shutout innings. He allowed just three hits while striking out 13 batters. He walked none.
Bieber’s 27 strikeouts are the most in Major League Baseball history through two starts.
Max Kepler, Luis Arraez and Byron Buxton each had a single to account for Minnesota’s only hits during the game. Josh Donaldson and Mitch Garver struck out three times each, while Miguel Sano, Kepler and Buxton each struck out twice.
Jose Berrios wasn’t bad for the Twins. He lasted just five innings – throwing 96 pitches – and his lone mistake was serving up an 0-2 fastball that Francisco Lindor launched over the wall in right field for a two-run homer.
The Twins and Cleveland continue the four-game series at 7:10 p.m. Friday.
