Cleveland Guardians rally in ninth to defeat Minnesota Twins 5-2
2 sources • 1 min read • Latest: Sep 12, 2026, 4:04 AM
Last updated Sep 12, 2026
The Cleveland Guardians earned a 5-2 win over the Minnesota Twins on Friday night in Minneapolis. Angel Martínez led the offense with his 15th home run of the season and a ninth-inning double that helped spark the winning rally. After the Twins tied the game in the seventh on an RBI single by Kalen Culpepper, the Guardians broke the deadlock in the ninth. Brayan Rocchio drove in two runs with a double following a wild pitch that allowed Travis Bazzana to score the go-ahead run. Hunter Gaddis earned the win in relief, while Cade Smith secured his 36th save. The Guardians now hold a two-game lead over Toronto in the race for the American League's third wild-card spot.
- •Angel Martínez hit a two-run homer and a double to pace the Cleveland offense.
- •Brayan Rocchio drove in two additional runs during a decisive ninth-inning rally.
- •Cade Smith closed the game to record his 36th save of the season.
- •The victory moves the Guardians two games ahead of Toronto in the wild-card race.
- •The teams meet again Saturday with Connor Prielipp scheduled to start for Minnesota.
- 4:04 AMYahoo Sports — Guardians score vs. Twins. Cleveland beats Minnesota, improve playoff position
- 3:06 AMYahoo Sports — Angel Martinez homers and doubles as Guardians rally to beat Twins 5-2
"Angel Martínez hit a two-run homer and his double in the ninth inning keyed the game-winning rally as the Cleveland Guardians beat the Minnesota Twins 5-2 on Friday night. The Guardians moved two games ahead of Toronto in the race for the AL’s third wild-card spot. Martínez gave the Guardians a 2-1 lead in the seventh with his 15th homer of the season.
"Angel Martinez went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run and the Cleveland Guardians beat the Minnesota Twins on Friday night, Sept. 11, in Minneapolis.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsSep 12, 2026, 4:04 AMGuardians score vs. Twins. Cleveland beats Minnesota, improve playoff position
Angel Martinez went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run and the Cleveland Guardians beat the Minnesota Twins on Friday night, Sept. 11, in Minneapolis.
- Yahoo SportsSep 12, 2026, 3:06 AMAngel Martinez homers and doubles as Guardians rally to beat Twins 5-2
Angel Martínez hit a two-run homer and his double in the ninth inning keyed the game-winning rally as the Cleveland Guardians beat the Minnesota Twins 5-2 on Friday night. The Guardians moved two games ahead of Toronto in the race for the AL’s third wild-card spot. Martínez gave the Guardians a 2-1 lead in the seventh with his 15th homer of the season.
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