Giménez’s homer in 9th gives Guardians win

CLEVELAND – Andrés Giménez hit a two-run homer in the ninth inning and the Cleveland Guardians beat the Minnesota Twins 5-3 on Thursday for their second straight walk-off win.

Giménez went deep to center on a 3-2 pitch from Tyler Thornburg (0-2) as Minnesota’s bullpen imploded again.

José Ramírez drew a leadoff walk, the 10th allowed by Minnesota. Josh Naylor’s groundout moved Ramírez to second and Owen Miller flied out.

Giménez followed with his gamewinner, sending Cleveland’s players pouring out of the dugout in celebration for the second consecutive day.

The Guardians lead the majors with 17 last at-bats wins, including six against the rival Twins.

The Twins failed to hold a 6-3 lead in the 10th inning on Wednesday night, when the Guardians scored four times and won the game on Naylor’s two-run homer.

Emilio Pagán and Jharel Cotton couldn’t protect the lead, and Minnesota’s bullpen problems returned less than 24 hours later.

The Twins outhomered the Guardians 10-2 in the series.

Cleveland won three of five in the series and trails Minnesota by a game in the AL Central. The teams don’t meet again until September.

The Twins took a 3-1 lead into the eighth and four Minnesota pitchers were working on a one-hitter. Thornburg retired the first batter but hit Giménez with a pitch and walked Franmil Reyes and Sandy León to load the bases.

Shortstop Carlos Correa made a diving stop of Myles Straw’s sharply hit grounder. Giménez scored and Reyes came home when Correa threw wildly to third to tie the game.

Pinch runner Ernie Clement was tagged out trying to score on Steven Kwan’s ground ball and Amed Rosario fouled out to end the inning.

Emmanuel Clase (2-2) pitched the ninth.

Starter Chris Archer gave up a twoout single to Ramírez, a line drive over the right-hander’s head that saw the pitcher sitting on the mound after he ducked to get out of the way.