Twins 3, Guardians 1 (12): Larnach Ends It After Williams' Masterpiece

Eleven strikeouts, an immaculate inning—and a loss in the 12th

July 23, 2026 – Cleveland – For seven innings, Gavin Williams looked like the best pitcher on the planet. Progressive Field still sent him home with an L.

Williams struck out 11, allowed two singles, and threw an immaculate inning in the fourth—nine pitches, three punchouts, the fifth such game in Cleveland history. Then Minnesota’s bullpen and late bats turned a masterpiece into a series-split story. Trevor Larnach and Luke Keaschall each delivered two-out RBI singles in the 12th, and the Minnesota Twins beat the Cleveland Guardians 3-1, per the Associated Press.

A day after Minnesota hung 10 runs on Cleveland, Thursday became a three-hitter duel that refused to end on schedule.

Bailey's blast, Bradley's answer

Patrick Bailey gave Cleveland the only early lead—a 420-foot solo shot to right in the fifth, his fifth homer, off Taj Bradley. That was the Guardians’ entire offense for 12 innings: three hits total.

Bradley matched Williams for length. Seven innings, two hits, one run. Five Twins relievers finished the three-hitter. Taylor Rogers (5-3) escaped the 11th. Rookie Jack Anderson worked the 12th for his first career save.

Williams had 33 strikeouts across his last three starts. He was lined up for win No. 11. Hunter Gaddis replaced him, walked two, and Cleveland’s usually reliable late innings cracked. Pinch-hitter Alan Roden’s RBI single off closer Cade Smith tied it 1-1 in the eighth. Extra innings were inevitable after that.

Two outs in the 12th, two singles that mattered

Erik Sabrowski (3-2) inherited the 12th and got outs until he didn’t. Larnach’s two-out single to left. Keaschall’s two-out single to left. 3-1. Minnesota, shut out for the first seven, suddenly owned the finale and a series split.

That is the AthX lesson in one paragraph: the best pitching line on the board can still lose when the bullpen and the 12th inning get the final word.

AthX Engine: Williams owned Thursday anyway

AthX Engine put Williams at 32 pitching FP—the clear No. 1 arm on a light Thursday slate, win or lose. Bradley landed at 19. Jack Anderson 8. Minnesota 8 team FP; Cleveland -2 despite hosting the night’s best start.

Fantasy points grade production. Dynamic pricing still has to price what traders do with a 32-FP loss.

What comes next

Minnesota opens a homestand against Oakland. Cleveland heads to Tampa Bay. On AthX, Williams’ three-start strikeout binge is the buy signal that survived a cruel box score; Larnach’s second straight loud night against Cleveland is the hitter follow.

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*Sources: MLB.com schedule, CBS Sports/AP recap, CBS Sports scoreboard, AthX Engine scoring. Information only; not financial advice.*