CLEVELAND — The Twins were only about 24 hours removed from the shocking revelation that pitching coach Wes Johnson will leave the first-place American League Central team after this pivotal five-game series against the Guardians.
So of course they absolutely schooled second-place Cleveland, winning 11-1 at Progressive Field on Monday to improve to 42-33 and take a three-game lead in the division.
The offense was punishing, starting with Gary Sanchez' three-run home run in the second inning. Gio Urshela and Sanchez both drove in a run in the fourth inning before more homers rained down. Nick Gordon smacked a two-run shot in the sixth before Carlos Correa also deposited a two-run homer in the seventh. Alex Kirilloff's sacrifice fly and Urshela's RBI single were insurance runs off position player turned emergency pitcher Ernie Clement in the ninth.
