It almost took three days, but the Twins finally beat the Cleveland Guardians Wednesday afternoon at Target Field.
Kody Clemens doubled home the game-winning run with two out in the ninth inning for the Twins as they beat the Guardians 6-5 in the resumption of a suspended game.
Clemens lashed a pitch from Cade Smith (1-2) into left-center, just beyond the reach of a diving Angel Martínez to score pinch runner Ryan Fitzgerald from second base.
"The only thing that I could put like put a finger on it would be I'm getting consistent playing time," Clemens said after the game. "If you look at my numbers in the over the past three seasons, they're all sporadic starts, after five days of sitting or a pinch hit off a leverage reliever. I mean, the only thing I can put my finger on it right now is just getting consistent at-bats and getting in a good rhythm."
The teams played three innings on Monday before a second rain delay led to the umpires suspending play for the night. Heavy rain fell on the Twin Cities all day Tuesday, forcing an additional postponement. They'll play again later Wednesday.
Clemens also tripled and drove in two runs and Harrison Bader also drove in a pair for the Twins, who have won 14 of their last 15. Jhoan Duran (2-0) picked up the victory despite blowing his first save of the season. Joe Ryan threw five innings for the Twins during the shortened game.
"Yeah, it feels good," says Ryan. "I mean, I wish we could have just closed it out cleanly, but I mean, it's kind of fun. Get out there and do your thing."
Trailing 5-2 entering the ninth inning, the Guardians rallied when Jose Ramírez doubled and Kyle Manzardo walked. Duran entered and gave up an RBI single to Nolan Jones and a two-out, two-strike double to Bo Naylor that tied the game 5-5.
Carlos Santana's homer shortly after the game resumed on Wednesday tied the score 2-2 in the fourth inning.
The Twins regained the lead on Clemens' RBI triple in the fourth. Clemens then scored on Bader's sacrifice fly, putting the Twins on top 4-2.
Minnesota added an insurance run on Bader's RBI single in the eighth.
Key moment
Guardians center fielder Nolan Jones made a diving attempt at Clemens' sinking line drive in the fourth. Jones came up short, the ball rolled all the way to the wall and Clemens stopped at third base with an RBI triple.
Key stat
Clemens has eight extra-base hits and 10 RBIs in just 41 plate appearances since the Twins acquired him from Philadelphia on April 26.
Up next
It's a quick turnaround with game two of their short doubleheader already underway Wednesday afternoon. The Guardians send RHP Gavin Williams (3-2, 4.29) to the mound to face Minnesota RHP Chris Paddack (1-3, 4.76).
The Associated Press contributed to this story.