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
Taj Bradley’s Injury and the Twins’ Rotation Adjustments On Tuesday night, Taj Bradley delivered a strong performance for the Minnesota Twins, pitching six innings while allowing just two runs against the Washington Nationals. The outing marked another solid start in Bradley’s season, as he continued to showcase his effectiveness on the mound. However, the night’s events took a turn when Bradley reported soreness shortly after the game, prompting the Twins to place him on the 15-day injured list with right pectoralis muscle inflammation. The injury occurred less than 24 hours after his start, raising concerns about his availability for the team’s upcoming schedule. Bradley’s injury came just days after he was scheduled to start the Twins’ series finale against the Cleveland Guardians on Sunday. The Twins’ decision to place him on the injured list was made after he flew back to Minnesota and underwent an MRI, which came back clean. A second opinion from Dr. Keith Meister was scheduled, a process manager Derek Shelton described as standard. While the injury does not appear to affect Bradley’s ability to throw, Shelton noted that it could impact the team’s strategic planning. “It doesn’t really impact him when he’s throwing, but it impacts other moves,” Shelton said. “We just wanted to be aware of it and make sure it got looked at.” Bradley’s performance this season has been impressive, with a 2.87 ERA across his first eight starts. He leads the Twins in innings pitched (47) and has recorded a team-high 52 strikeouts, along with four wins. His ability to limit runs has been consistent, as he has allowed two runs or fewer in seven of his eight starts. The start against the Nationals, where he allowed two runs and struck out eight batters, exemplifies his effectiveness.#minnesota_twins #taj_bracket #dr_keith_meister #travis_adams #kendry_rojas
