by Defeating the Minnesota Twins 13-4 on Monday night, the Cleveland Guardians hit seven home runs, one shy of the franchise’s single-game record. The number does tie Cleveland’s home game record, and it’s the most dingers hit in a game since Progressive Field opened back up in 1994.
After a sloppy and disappointing three-game homestand against the Pittsburgh Pirates, this win is huge for Cleveland. The Guardians will move to 53-48 and can move back into a tie for first place in the American League Central Division should the Chicago White Sox lose against the Texas Rangers in Arlington.
Cleveland opened the game swinging hard, and left the first inning with a 3-0 lead. A two-run shot from Brayan Rocchio and a solo blast from Rhys Hoskins made sure of that.
After Minnesota picked up a pair of runs in the top of the second, the Guardians pounced on the Twins again. Outfielder Petey Halpin hit what ended up being the first of two home runs tonight, and his two-run jam in the bottom of the frame was the first of his career.
Fellow rookie Travis Bazzana followed suit with a one-run home run in the same inning, which put Cleveland up 6-2.
From the bottom of the third to the bottom of the sixth, Cleveland outscored Minnesota 4-0. More homers from Halpin and Hoskins, along with RBI knocks from catcher Patrick Bailey and outfielder Chase DeLauter, officially buried the Twins.
For both Bailey and DeLauter, they finished the night with four-hit performances.
The Twins picked up runs in the seventh and eighth innings, but Bailey and DeLauter kept swinging and bringing in more Guardians across the plate. Bailey’s seventh-inning 408-foot solo shot was Cleveland’s seventh and final home run of the game.
This four-game series between division rivals will pick up tomorrow, with a 6:40 p.m. start scheduled. All-Star southpaw Parker Messick will start for Cleveland, and the Twins will likely turn to a bullpen game.
Amazing and historic game!