While games don't necessarily fall solely on one player, right-handed rookie reliever Franco Aleman played a major role in the loss to the Twins. He entered in the third frame, going just 0.2 while giving up five hits,

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Emmanuel Rodriguez homered in his first career at-bat to spark a four-run inning and the Minnesota Twins held off the Cleveland Guardians 4-3 Saturday. Andrew Morris, Kody Funderburk and Jeff Hoffman combined for 2 2-3 innings of scoreless relief before A.

That the article editor’s thumbnail selector offered two dozen images of a beaming Emmanuel Rodriguez, smiling as he jogged around the basepaths with his fist in the air, should tell you everything you need to know about the top prospect’s first major-league at-bat.

Connor Prielipp - 5.1 IP, 5 H, 3 ER, 0 BB, 1 K (77 pitches, 57 strikes (74%)) Home Runs: Emmanuel Rodriguez (1) Top 3 WPA: A.J. Minter (0.16), Jeff Hoffman (0.12), Rodriguez & Andrew Morris (0.09) Win Probability Chart (via FanGraphs) The Twins saw their playoff chances dwindle

It’s a big opportunity for the Guardians, and potentially a last stand for the Twins, as the American League Central rivals meet up for three games this weekend at Target Field. Minnesota (69-77) is in danger of falling out of the AL Wild Card race,