The Cleveland Guardians traveled to Minnesota on Sunday, September 13, 2026, and handled the Twins with authority, winning 9-2 in a dominant nine-inning performance. Tanner Bibee set the tone on the mound while Steven Kwan, Travis Bazzana, and Jo Adell each went deep, combining for seven of Cleveland's nine runs batted in. In a division matchup with September stakes, the Guardians left Target Field having outclassed their AL Central rivals in every phase of the game.

Tanner Bibee Controls the Game for Cleveland

Bibee was the engine behind this win. The right-hander worked 6.2 innings, allowing just two earned runs on four hits while walking two and striking out seven. He navigated trouble without letting it snowball, and the Twins' lineup offered little consistent resistance. The lone damage against Bibee came courtesy of Trevor Larnach, who hit a solo home run — Minnesota's only extra-base threat of note against the Cleveland starter. Bibee picked up the win, with Hunter Gaddis, Erik Sabrowski, and Matt Festa finishing off the final 2.1 innings without surrendering a run.

Cleveland's Offense Overwhelms Joe Ryan Early

Minnesota starter Joe Ryan had no answer for the Guardians' lineup. Ryan lasted just four innings, giving up seven hits and four earned runs while managing only one strikeout. The damage was spread across the order, with multiple Guardians contributing at the plate.

Steven Kwan led the way, going 3-for-4 with a home run and two RBI. Kwan's ability to get on base and drive the ball gave Cleveland an early foothold. Travis Bazzana was equally dangerous, finishing 2-for-4 with a home run and three RBI — the most of any Cleveland hitter on the night. Jo Adell added a home run of his own, going 2-for-5 with two RBI, giving the Guardians three players with multiple hits and a long ball in the same game.

The contribution didn't stop there. Nathaniel Lowe went 2-for-4 with an RBI, and Angel Martínez added two hits and an RBI of his own in a 2-for-5 effort. Five different Guardians finished with at least two hits, which speaks to how thoroughly Cleveland worked Ryan and the Twins' bullpen throughout the afternoon.

Minnesota's Bullpen Couldn't Contain the Bleeding

After Ryan was pulled following four innings, the Twins turned to Travis Adams, who worked three innings but allowed four more hits and two additional earned runs. Taylor Rogers and Tommy Nance each pitched a frame, with Rogers allowing two earned runs and Nance giving up one. By the time the final out was recorded, Cleveland had scattered nine runs across Minnesota's pitching staff with no single reliever able to slow the Guardians down for an extended stretch.

For Minnesota, Luke Keaschall went 2-for-4 and Larnach provided the lone home run, but the Twins managed just two runs total — a reflection of how effectively Bibee and Cleveland's bullpen locked them down.

Turning Point: Cleveland's Offense Buries Ryan

The turning point came while Joe Ryan was still on the mound. The Guardians' ability to pile up seven hits and four runs in four innings against a Minnesota starter effectively removed any doubt about the outcome. Once Cleveland's three-homer barrage was underway and Ryan exited, the game's margin only grew. Minnesota never found an answer.

What's Next for the Guardians

  • Cleveland continues its road schedule following this win over Minnesota.
  • Tanner Bibee's performance in this outing — 6.2 innings, seven strikeouts, two earned runs — reinforces his value at the top of the rotation heading into the final weeks of the 2026 regular season.
  • The Guardians' offense showed balance on Sunday, with five batters recording multiple hits and three contributing home runs, a sign of a lineup that can do damage from multiple spots.