CLEVELAND, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) - Minnesota rookie Joe Ryan took a perfect game into the 7th inning of the Twins’ 3-0 victory over the Cleveland Indians on Wednesday night at Progressive Field.
The loss was the fifth of Cleveland’s last six games, dropping the club to 68-69.
Ryan, a 2018 seventh-round draft pick by the Tampa Bay Rays, also picked up his first career victory in his second major league start. The right-hander was sent to Minnesota in the club’s trading of Nelson Cruz to Tampa Bay back in late July - while Ryan was pitching for Team USA in the Tokyo Summer Olympics.
Ryan outshined Cleveland starter Triston McKenzie (4-6), who still managed a 6-inning outing with just three hits and one earned run allowed. The Indians’ right-hander also recorded seven strikeouts in the start, along with allowing only one walk.
After four scoreless innings between the two teams, the Twins broke through in the top of the 5th on Nick Gordon’s RBI single to left field off McKenzie. In the top of the 7th, Miguel Sanó roped a 449-foot solo home run - Sanó’s 25th of the year - off Indians relief pitcher Nick Wittgren to make it 2-0 Minnesota.
The Indians finally broke up the perfect game when Amed Rosario knocked a one-out single in the bottom of the 7th. After an errant pickoff throw and a groundout, Cleveland looked to cut into the Minnesota lead. However, Ryan settled down and forced Franmil Reyes to fly out to right field.
Ryan finished his seven-inning performance with a single hit and no runs allowed, along with four strikeouts.
In the top of the 8th, Minnesota loaded the corners on reliever Bryan Shaw before scoring their third run via a fielder’s choice on a Byron Buxton ground ball.
Twins relievers Caleb Thielbar and Tyler Duffey allowed no baserunners in the final two innings, nabbing the series win for the visitors.
The Indians can try to steal a series-ending win against Minnesota on Thursday night, with Cal Quantrill (4-3, 3.15 ERA) expected to start against Twins righty Randy Dobnak (1-7, 7.64 ERA).