After a demoralizing loss that derailed their championship hopes, the Minnesota Twins rebounded to defeat the Cleveland Guardians 4-1 last night.

Gavin Williams started for the Guardians, while Zebby Matthews took the hill for the Twins. Both came into the game with high ERAs, but the game was not a slugfest.

Twins left fielder Matt Wallner opened the scoring in the third with a bases-loaded single.

Cleveland tied the game in the fourth on Lane Thomas’ 13th home run, a 424-bomb to center field. Thomas is settling into the No. 5 spot in the batting order.

Minnesota regained the lead on another RBI single by Wallner, which caused Williams’ pitching record to drop to 3-10.

NO HERO TONIGHT

The Guardians were unable to replicate Monday night’s dramatic comeback.

In fact, Twins second baseman Willi Castro poured cold water on those hopes with a two-run homer to right field off Nick Sandlin in the eighth.

Myles Straw returned to Cleveland after laboring all year in the minor leagues. He entered as a pinch runner and got picked off first base.

Cleveland loaded the bases in the ninth inning before closer Griffin Jax got Bo Naylor to end the game with a groundout.

DIVISION RACE

The good news for Cleveland fans is that the Kansas City Royals lost. They are five games behind the Guardians in the AL Central.

Tanner Bibee (12-7) will start tonight’s game for Cleveland at 6:40. Bailey Ober (11-8) will take the mound for Minnesota.