Twins lose a one-run game in Cleveland for the 14th consecutive time

CLEVELAND – Edouard Julien opened the ninth inning, trailing by a run, with a fly ball that hit the middle of the center field, just beyond Guardians center fielder Angel Martínez’s reach.

The ball kicked away from Martínez, but Julien was forced to settle for a double because he watched the ball and he didn’t immediately run out of the batter’s box. The next batter, DaShawn Keirsey Jr., fouled three bunt attempts for a strikeout, and Hunter Gaddis struck out the next two batters as well to earn his first career save.

As Twins players adjust to their new normal after a massive trade deadline sell-off, they are learning some things remain the same. Their ugly ninth inning in a 5-4 loss meant they have dropped all five series they have played since the All-Star break. The past 14 times they have played a one-run game in Cleveland have all resulted in losses.

“It’s just a tough look for me to not run out of the box,” said Julien, who angrily slapped at his helmet when he stood on second base. “That’s something we talk about, and that’s happened in the past for me too. I just get caught up watching the ball. I just have to do a better job.”

The Twins are eight games under .500 with a 51-59 record, matching their lowest point of the season. They started the year 7-15.

Bailey Ober, who will remain an important part of the Twins’ plans even after shipping away 10 players, made his first start since a stint on the injured list that was as much physical as a mental reset. Ober, who was sidelined with a left hip impingement, gave up 30 runs and 14 homers in 30 innings during June.

Saturday, Ober gave up six hits, including two homers, and four runs in five innings. His velocity was up, hitting 92 mph with his fastball, but the results still aren’t there.

Ober gave up two singles to start the second inning, and a run scored when C.J. Kayfus, a highly rated prospect making his MLB debut, grounded out. Kayfus received a standing ovation from the announced sellout crowd of 35,116.

Daniel Schneemann opened the third inning with a homer to right field, but Ober then seemed to settle into a rhythm. He retired eight batters in a row, which included three strikeouts in that span, before Schneemann hit a two-out single in the fifth inning. José Ramírez then crushed a down-the-middle slider to right field for his 22nd home run of the season, tying the score at 4-4.

“Physically, I’m feeling really good,” Ober said. “Like my stuff is really good. Even though the two pitches they hit out were sliders, I feel like that pitch had the best movement and velo all year. They just put two good swings on it, so it’s a little frustrating on that aspect.”

The Guardians scored the go-ahead run off rookie Pierson Ohl in the eighth inning. Ramírez and Carlos Santana dropped bloop singles into the outfield before Bo Naylor lined an RBI double into the right field corner.

Ohl, pitching in his third inning, kept it a one-run game, leaving the bases loaded with a strikeout and flyout.

BOXSCORE: Cleveland 5, Twins 4

MLB standings

It was only the third time the Twins scored four runs in their past eight games. Kody Clemens drew a leadoff walk in the fourth inning against Guardians starter Tanner Bibee, and Matt Wallner followed with a two-run homer to right field.

Alan Roden led off the fifth inning with a double, his first hit with his new organization. Two pitches later, Trevor Larnach singled to center and Roden beat a strong throw from center fielder Schneemann as he slid at the plate. Royce Lewis later added an RBI double down the third-base line.