Willi Castro hits a 2-run homer, Twins down Guardians 4-1 to stay locked into AL wild-card spot

CLEVELAND (AP) — Willi Castro hit a two-run homer, Matt Wallner had two RBIs and the Minnesota Twins bounced back from a crushing loss in the series opener to beat the Cleveland Guardians 4-1 on Tuesday night and stay locked into the final AL wild card.

Castro connected in the eighth inning, and both of Wallner's RBI singles came off Gavin Williams (3-10), who has just one win in his last seven starts.

The Twins entered with a 1 1/2-game lead over Detroit for the last playoff berth, and they kept it with solid defense, strong relief and Castro's big swing one night after blowing a 3-0 lead on Monday.

“The energy has been good. The last few games have been rough for us," said Castro, who homered for the first time since Aug. 24. "We've got to keep it going.”

Lane Thomas homered for the AL Central-leading Guardians, who are closing in on the postseason. They can still clinch a spot on Wednesday.

Cleveland rallied for its MLB-leading 40th comeback win on Monday, storming back against the Twins.

Minnesota held on this time, but not before the Guardians made it interesting.

They loaded the bases with two outs in the ninth before manager Rocco Baldelli, who had to piece together the final four innings after pulling rookie Zebby Matthews in the fifth, brought in Griffin Jax.

The right-hander, who gave up rookie Kyle Manzardo's go-ahead homer in the eighth on Monday, struck out pinch-hitter David Fry and gave up an infield single before retiring Bo Naylor on a dribbler for his ninth save.

When it ended, there was a collective sigh of relief from Minnesota's dugout.

"Great win for our entire team,” Baldelli said. “Everywhere you looked — in the dugout, out in the bullpen — everyone played a part in some small way. There’s a lot to clap about and talk about.”

Cole Sands (9-1) worked one inning for the win as the Twins snapped a five-game losing streak in Cleveland.

Baldelli was especially pleased with Matthews, who allowed one run in 4 2/3 innings — one out shy of qualifying for a win.

“I think we have to reassess what’s a win because that should be a win,” Baldelli said. “He pitched great.”

Down 2-1, the Guardians got something going in the seventh when Manzardo led off with a single.

But pinch-runner Myles Straw, making his season debut after being selected from Triple-A Columbus before the game with All-Star Steven Kwan going on the IL, got picked off first by Ronny Henriquez.

Straw was initially called safe. But Baldelli challenged, and when the call was overturned, Straw had to jog back to the dugout in humiliation.

“I knew it was close,” Straw said. “I wasn’t sure if I was going to be out or safe. When he called me safe, I was pretty thankful. But then obviously Rocco challenged the play and it got overturned, so kind of sucked.”

TRAINER'S ROOM

Twins: OF Max Kepler, who has been sidelined with a knee tendinitis, received a cortisone shot in his left hip after experiencing discomfort. Kepler has responded to treatment could begin a rehab assignment this weekend. ... SS Carlos Correa got the night off as the club monitors his workload after recently returning from a 51-game IL stint for plantar fasciitis.

Guardians: Manager Stephen Vogt said RHP Alex Cobb (finger blister) played catch as he continues to work his way back. The 36-year-old is on the injured list for the second time since being acquired from the Giants at the trade deadline.

UP NEXT

Guardians RHP Tanner Bibee (11-8, 3.60 ERA), who has won just once in his past five starts, tries to get Cleveland closer to the playoffs in a matchup against Twins RHP Bailey Ober (12-7, 3.90 ERA) on Wednesday.

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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

Tom Withers, The Associated Press