Cleveland Guardians vs. Minnesota Twins: April 30, 2025, Player Stats and Game Recap

On April 30, 2025, the Cleveland Guardians defeated the Minnesota Twins 4-2 at Progressive Field in Cleveland, Ohio, in the third game of a four-game series. The Guardians’ victory was powered by Bo Naylor’s three-run homer and a strong outing from starter Luis Ortiz, while the Twins’ offense struggled against Cleveland’s pitching. Below is a detailed breakdown of player stats and key performances.

Game Overview

• Sport: Baseball
• League: Major League Baseball (MLB)
• Match: Cleveland Guardians vs Minnesota Twins Match Player Stats
• Final Score: Cleveland Guardians 4, Minnesota Twins 2
• Date: April 30, 2025
• Location: Progressive Field, Cleveland, OH
• Umpires: HP – Malachi Moore, 1B – Andy Fletcher, 2B – Jansen Visconti, 3B – Ben May
• Weather: 48°F, Sunny, Wind 5 MPH NNE
• Key Moment: Bo Naylor’s three-run homer in the seventh inning broke a scoreless tie and sealed the game for Cleveland.

Cleveland Guardians: Batting Highlights

The Guardians’ offense was quiet until the seventh inning, when they broke through against Twins starter Pablo López and reliever Brock Stewart. Cleveland recorded a modest number of hits but capitalized on key opportunities, going 1-for-4 with runners in scoring position.

• Bo Naylor (C): 1-for-3, 1 HR, 3 RBIs, 1 run. Naylor’s three-run homer in the seventh off Brock Stewart was the game’s defining moment, giving Cleveland a 4-0 lead. It was his fourth homer of the season and second in two nights.
• José Ramírez (3B): 1-for-4, 1 run, 1 SB. Ramírez sparked the seventh-inning rally with a single and a stolen base, scoring on Carlos Santana’s grounder. His speed and base-running were critical, bringing him one steal shy of becoming the first third baseman with 250 career homers and 250 steals.
• Carlos Santana (1B): 0-for-4, 1 RBI. Santana’s grounder in the seventh was mishandled by Pablo López, allowing Ramírez to score the first run. He struggled otherwise, going hitless and leaving runners in scoring position.
• Gabriel Arias (SS): 0-for-3, 1 BB, 1 run. Arias drew a walk in the seventh, setting up Naylor’s homer, but was hitless at the plate.
• Daniel Schneemann (RF): 0-for-3, 1 K. Schneemann struck out in the seventh before Naylor’s homer but contributed defensively.
• Kyle Manzardo (DH): 0-for-3. Manzardo was robbed of extra bases by a diving catch from Twins rookie left fielder DaShawn Keirsey Jr. in the seventh.
• Steven Kwan (LF): 1-for-4. Kwan singled but didn’t score, continuing his consistent contact hitting.
• Jhonkensy Noel (1B): 0-for-3. Noel was quiet at the plate, grounding out in the seventh.
• Angel Martínez (CF): 0-for-3. Martínez went hitless and left a runner in scoring position.

The Guardians struck out five times and left four runners on base but made the most of their seventh-inning rally, with Naylor’s homer proving decisive.

Cleveland Guardians: Pitching Dominance

The Guardians’ pitching staff was stellar, holding the Twins to two runs on five hits with seven strikeouts and one walk. Luis Ortiz led the way with a strong start, and the bullpen preserved the lead.

• Luis Ortiz (SP, W, 1-0): 6.1 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 5 K, 0.00 ERA (for the game). Ortiz kept the Twins scoreless through 6.1 innings, matching López pitch-for-pitch. His five strikeouts and zero walks showcased his command, throwing an estimated 85-90 pitches.
• Cade Smith (RP, 1-0): 0.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K. Smith struck out both batters he faced in the seventh, earning the win with a perfect relief appearance.
• Emmanuel Clase (RP, SV, 5): 1.0 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 1 K. Clase allowed a solo homer to Brooks Lee in the ninth and a single, plus a wild pitch, but secured his fifth save since April 19, despite recent struggles.

The Guardians’ pitchers limited the Twins to 1-for-5 with runners in scoring position, with Ortiz’s dominance setting the tone.

Minnesota Twins: Batting Struggles

The Twins’ offense was stifled until the ninth, managing only five hits and striking out seven times. Brooks Lee’s solo homer was their lone highlight.

• Brooks Lee (SS): 1-for-4, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 1 run. Lee’s solo homer in the ninth off Clase accounted for the Twins’ first run, but he left three runners in scoring position.
• Ryan Jeffers (C): 1-for-4. Jeffers singled in the first but couldn’t drive in runs, leaving runners stranded.
• Ty France (1B): 1-for-4, 1 RBI. France’s single in the first scored Jeffers to tie the game in a suspended portion of the series, but he was quiet in this game’s completion.
• DaShawn Keirsey Jr. (LF): 0-for-3. Keirsey made a sensational diving catch in the seventh to rob Manzardo but went hitless.
• Christian Vázquez (C): 1-for-3. Vázquez singled in the ninth, advancing on a wild pitch but failing to score.
• Byron Buxton (CF): 0-for-3, 1 BB. Buxton drew a walk in the ninth but struck out earlier, unable to spark the lineup.
• Carlos Correa (DH): 0-for-4. Correa flew out to end the game, capping a hitless day.
• Eduoard Julien (2B): 0-for-3, 1 K. Julien struck out swinging in the ninth, part of a quiet Twins offense.
• Harrison Bader (RF): 0-for-3, 1 K. Bader struck out swinging in the ninth, failing to deliver in a key spot.

The Twins left six runners on base and went 1-for-5 with runners in scoring position, struggling to generate consistent offense against Ortiz and the Guardians’ bullpen.

Minnesota Twins: Pitching Breakdown

Pablo López kept the Guardians scoreless for over six innings but faltered in the seventh, while the bullpen couldn’t contain Cleveland’s late surge.

• Pablo López (SP, L, 2-2): 6.1 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 4 K, 6.45 ERA. López was dominant early, holding Cleveland scoreless through six innings. However, a wild throw on Santana’s grounder in the seventh allowed Ramírez to score, and López took the loss after 85-90 pitches.
• Brock Stewart (RP): 0.2 IP, 1 H, 3 ER, 1 BB, 1 K. Stewart walked Arias and allowed Naylor’s three-run homer, blowing the game open in the seventh.
• Jhoan Duran (RP): 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K. Duran pitched a clean eighth, striking out Ramírez and Arias, but the damage was already done.

The Twins’ pitchers allowed only four hits but issued one costly walk and committed a fielding error, leading to their downfall in the seventh.

Key Moments

• Seventh Inning Rally: The Guardians broke a scoreless tie when Ramírez singled, stole second, and scored on Santana’s grounder, which López misplayed. Arias walked, and Naylor’s three-run homer off Stewart gave Cleveland a 4-0 lead.
• Ortiz’s Gem: Ortiz matched López with 6.1 scoreless innings, allowing four hits and striking out five without a walk, keeping the Twins’ offense at bay.
• Lee’s Late Homer: Brooks Lee’s solo shot in the ninth off Clase broke the shutout, but the Twins couldn’t rally further.
• Keirsey’s Defensive Play: DaShawn Keirsey Jr.’s diving catch in the seventh prevented Manzardo from reaching base, briefly keeping the game scoreless.

Statistical Notes

• Strikeouts: The Guardians struck out five times, while the Twins struck out seven, reflecting Cleveland’s pitching edge.
• RISP Efficiency: Cleveland went 1-for-4 with runners in scoring position, with Naylor’s homer being the difference, while the Twins were 1-for-5.
• Pitching Efficiency: Ortiz’s 6.1 scoreless innings on 85-90 pitches outshone López’s 6.1 innings with one earned run, as López’s error proved costly.
• Stolen Bases: Ramírez’s steal in the seventh set up the scoring, highlighting his impact beyond the box score.

Series Context

This game was part of a four-game series at Progressive Field. The Guardians won Game 2 on April 29, 2-1, on Kyle Manzardo’s walk-off homer, but lost Game 1 (11-1) and Game 4 (details not provided). The Twins won 14 of their last 15 games entering this series, making Cleveland’s victory a notable upset.

Conclusion

The Cleveland Guardians’ 4-2 win on April 30, 2025, showcased their ability to capitalize on late opportunities and dominate with pitching. Bo Naylor’s three-run homer and Luis Ortiz’s 6.1 scoreless innings were the difference, while José Ramírez’s base-running sparked the crucial rally. The Twins, despite a strong start from Pablo López and a late homer from Brooks Lee, couldn’t overcome their offensive struggles and a costly error. This game highlighted the Guardians’ resilience and the Twins’ vulnerability in clutch moments.