Taj Bradley strikes out 10 as Minnesota Twins top Cleveland Guardians Minnesota Twins pitcher Taj Bradley delivered a dominant performance, striking out 10 batters across seven innings to lead his team to a 3-1 series-opening victory over the Cleveland Guardians on Tuesday, July 7, 2026. The win marked the Twins’ first home series win against the Guardians since May 2022 and extended their winning streak to six games out of their last eight. Bradley’s outing was highlighted by his ability to dominate the Cleveland lineup, yielding only three hits and one run while showcasing a near-unhittable cutter. Bradley’s performance was a stark contrast to his earlier struggles following a stint on the injured list. Twins manager Derek Shelton had previously criticized Bradley’s lack of “swagger,” a term Shelton borrowed from Carl Crawford’s hitting coach in Tampa Bay. Shelton described Bradley’s pitching style as reminiscent of a 12-year-old, emphasizing his energetic delivery and joy on the mound. “The thing I love about watching Taj pitch is it’s like watching a 12-year-old pitch,” Shelton said. “I mean that in a beautiful way. The way he jumps off a mound. His energy. That’s awesome.” The game’s turning point came in the sixth inning when Bradley froze Kahlil Watson with a 99.6-mph fastball for a called third strike, prompting Bradley to punch his hand into his glove and run off the mound in celebration. The Twins’ offense supported Bradley’s dominance with a two-run rally in the second inning, led by a solo home run from Rhys Hoskins. Hoskins hit a fastball over the 411-foot marker in center field, giving the Twins an early lead. Despite Cleveland’s efforts to rally, the Twins’ defense held strong.#cleveland_guardians #minnesota_twins #taj_bracket #derek_shelton #rhys_hoskins
