Kyle Manzardo came through in the clutch once again for the Cleveland Guardians, delivering a thrilling walk-off RBI single in the 10th inning to secure a 3-2 victory over the Minnesota Twins on Friday night, August 1, 2025, at Progressive Field in Cleveland. This marked Manzardo's second walk-off hit of the season, underscoring his growing reputation as a reliable late-game performer.
The Guardians loaded the bases against Twins reliever Kody Funderburk (1-1) in the 10th inning, setting the stage for Manzardo's heroics. Steven Kwan ignited the rally with a single, followed by an intentional walk to the team’s star third baseman, José Ramírez. With one out, Manzardo lined a clutch single to left field, driving in the automatic runner Brayan Rocchio and sealing the win for Cleveland. Cade Smith (3-4) then closed out the game by pitching the final two innings, improving the Guardians’ post-All-Star break record to a solid 9-5.
Ramírez’s impact on the game was felt early. In the first inning, he drove in Steven Kwan to give Cleveland a quick lead. He then showcased his speed and skill by stealing second base, becoming just the 17th player in Major League Baseball history to record at least 275 steals and 275 home runs in their career. Notably, Ramírez is the first primary third baseman to reach this milestone and only the second switch hitter to do so, joining the esteemed Carlos Beltrán.
Brayan Rocchio also played a key role, bringing home Carlos Santana in the second inning to extend the Guardians’ lead to 2-0 against Minnesota starter Joe Ryan. Ryan pitched six innings, but the Guardians’ starter Gavin Williams was equally impressive, striking out eight batters over six scoreless innings to keep the Twins off the scoreboard early on.
The Twins, however, rallied back in the seventh inning to tie the game. A defensive miscue by Guardians pitcher Hunter Gaddis proved costly. Instead of holding the ball, Gaddis inexplicably threw it toward first base on an infield hit by Twins’ batter Martin. The errant throw bounced past first baseman Carlos Santana and into right field, allowing Brooks Lee and Christian Vázquez to score unearned runs. These runs were charged to reliever Erik Sabrowski, shifting the momentum and setting the stage for a tense finish.
The Twins, active in the trade market leading up to the deadline, had made nine trades in the 24 hours preceding Thursday, July 31, 2025. Their roster was in flux, with four pitchers and four position players promoted from Triple-A St. Paul just before the game. Despite these changes, Minnesota fielded 25 players, just one shy of the roster limit, after exchanging a total of 26 players during their recent four-day transaction spree.
Looking ahead, the Guardians are set to start right-hander Tanner Bibee on Saturday, August 2, 2025. Bibee, who holds a 7-9 record with a 4.39 ERA, has been on a hot streak, winning his last three starts. The Twins will activate right-hander Bailey Ober from the injured list after he missed a month due to a left hip impingement. Ober’s return could bolster Minnesota’s pitching depth as they continue their push in the competitive American League Central division.
Kyle Manzardo’s clutch performance highlighted a game filled with strategic plays, individual milestones, and roster shakeups. His ability to deliver in high-pressure situations, especially hitting behind a powerhouse like José Ramírez, is becoming a vital asset for the Guardians. The team’s resilience after the Twins’ late-game rally showed their determination to maintain momentum in the second half of the season.
This victory adds another exciting chapter to the Guardians’ 2025 campaign, as they continue to build on their post-All-Star break success. Fans will be eager to see if Manzardo can keep up his walk-off magic and whether Ramírez can add more historic milestones to his impressive career.
Meanwhile, the Twins face the challenge of integrating their new players and overcoming recent defensive lapses if they want to stay competitive in a tightly contested division. With key players returning from injury and a busy trade period behind them, Minnesota’s next few games will be crucial in determining their playoff prospects.
As the season unfolds, the Guardians and Twins remain locked in a battle that promises more drama, standout performances, and memorable moments for baseball fans. For now, Kyle Manzardo’s timely hit stands as a testament to the excitement and unpredictability that make Major League Baseball so captivating.
