MINNEAPOLIS -- Twelve years into his Major League career, KOLE CALHOUN had to settle for a pair of minor league deals before the Guardians decided to buy his contract from the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Calhoun came from Triple-A Oklahoma City in the Dodgers’ organization and found himself immediately in the lineup for Cleveland. It’s a move that has helped the Guardians stay in the American League Central race.
Calhoun hit a three-run homer in the 10th inning and Cleveland beat the Twins 5-2 Wednesday to win the final two games of the three-game series to shrink Minnesota's American League Central lead over the Guardians to five games.
“He just absolutely mammo’d that ball,” said Cleveland starter Tanner Bibee, who grew up watching Calhoun when the veteran was with the Los Angeles Angels. “He’s been a good little ball of energy for us. I think he’s definitely what we needed when we got him.”
The Guardians scored in each of the final three innings to win their second straight series and four of their past six games.
Andrés Giménez scored on a wild pitch from Twins closer Jhoan Duran in the ninth to send the game into extra innings. Steven Kwan had an RBI single in the eighth for the Guardians, who are now 6-4 against Minnesota this season.
“I think we kind of had to,” Cleveland manager Terry Francona said of winning the final two games against Minnesota. “They’re still in a really good spot and we know that. But, keep playing.”