Early in what was likely Joe Ryan’s penultimate start of the season, the Twins’ right-hander gave the fans seated in Target Field’s home run porch in right more defensive opportunities than his outfield.
Joe Ryan #41 of the Minnesota Twins pitches against the Cleveland Guardians in the first inning of game one of a doubleheader at Target Field on Sept. 20, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
Ryan allowed four solo home runs to right field Saturday, three in the first two innings, as the Twins fell behind early in a 6-0 loss to the Cleveland Guardians.
Jose Ramirez, Bo Naylor and George Valera — his first in the majors — all homered off Ryan (13-9) to give the Guardians a 3-0 lead after two innings. Daniel Schneeman added a fourth in a two-run fifth inning as the teams made up for a May 20 rainout in the first game of a doubleheader in front of an announced crowd of 22,160.
Naylor added a solo home run off Thomas Hatch in the eighth inning, a long drive over the scoreboard in right-center, as the Guardians won their ninth straight game and 14th of 15 since Sept. 5 to pull within 1½ games of first-place Detroit in the American League Central.
Cleveland starter Slade Cecconi (7-6) pitched seven innings and allowed only three Twins batters to reach base, including Austin Martin, whose first-inning line drive into center extended his hitting streak to eight games. He was erased on a double-play groundout by Trevor Larnach.
Luke Keaschall hit a leadoff double in the second inning but was stranded at third. Ryan Fitzgerald drew a two-out walk in the fifth inning, but Cecconi struck out the side.
Left-hander Kolby Allard finished the game for Cleveland with a pair of scoreless innings.
Ramirez’s two-out homer in the first inning was his 30th of the season. With 40 stolen bases so far this season, he became the third Cleveland player with three 30-30 seasons.
Hatch relieved Ryan and pitched four innings, allowing only allowing Naylor’s second homer.
Related Articles
Twins stars Byron Buxton and Joe Ryan air their grievances
Pablo Lopez: Twins’ veterans focused on rebuilding a culture ‘we’ve been lacking the last couple years’
Joe Ryan strong as Twins beat Royals
Frederick: As Tigers’ tailspin continues, remember AL Central is always truly up for grabs
Royce Lewis hits a pair of home runs in support of Joe Ryan in Twins win
Leave a Reply