Byron Buxton's RBI double in 11th inning gives Twins a 2-1 victory over Guardians

CLEVELAND (AP) — Byron Buxton doubled off the wall in left-center with one out in the 11th inning, scoring automatic runner Matt Wallner, and the Minnesota Twins beat the Cleveland Guardians 2-1 on Saturday night.

Buxton also drove in Minnesota’s first run and had its only other hit, belting his 22nd career leadoff homer on the third pitch of the game from Tanner Bibee. The Twins and Guardians each finished with two hits.

Cleveland loaded the bases with one out in the ninth and 10th, but Eric Orze (1-1) worked his way out of both jams in his 1 2/3 innings. Luis García pitched the 11th for his first save.

Rule 5 Draft selection Peyton Pallette (1-2) allowed one unearned run in two innings as AL Central Division leader Cleveland had its three-game winning streak snapped.

Buxton has 13 homers — all in his last 23 games — and is two behind MLB leaders Aaron Judge of the Yankees and Munetaka Murakami of the White Sox. Minnesota is 20-40 against the Guardians since the start of the 2022 season.

The Guardians tied it at 1-all in the fourth when José Ramírez singled off Joe Ryan, stole second base and scored on Kyle Manzardo’s hit up the middle. Ryan worked six innings, giving up two hits.

Bibee, who has five losses and four no-decisions this season, struck out a season-high nine over six innings.

In the sixth, Bibee collided with catcher Austin Hedges when both were attempting to grab a popup by Brooks Lee. Hedges dropped the ball, Bibee was charged with the error and Lee ran to second base, but was stranded there.

The first pitch was delayed by 2 hours and 6 minutes because of heavy thunderstorms.

Guardians RHP Gavin Williams (5-2, 3.28 ERA) pitches the three-game series finale against Twins RHP Andrew Morris (1-1, 4.96).

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Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Tanner Bibee winds up to deliver against the Minnesota Twins during the first inning of a baseball game, Saturday, May 9, 2026, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Phil Long)

Minnesota Twins' Josh Bell (56) walks back to the dugout after striking out against Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Tanner Bibee as umpire Paul Clemons, left, makes the call during the fourth inning of a baseball game, Saturday, May 9, 2026, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Phil Long) CORRECTION

Cleveland Guardians' Jose Ramirez watches his single off Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Joe Ryan as Victor Caratini looks on during the fourth inning of a baseball game, Saturday, May 9, 2026, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Phil Long)

Minnesota Twins' Byron Buxton rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run off Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Tanner Bibee during the first inning of a baseball game, Saturday, May 9, 2026, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Phil Long)

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Alec Burleson drove in two runs and the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Kansas City Royals 4-2 on Saturday in the second game of the annual I-70 series, much to the delight of some boisterous and shirtless fans in the right-field seats.

The game was delayed by rain at the start by 46 minutes.

Kyle Leahy (5-3) pitched six innings in his first career start against the Royals. He allowed one run on five hits. George Soriano got his second save despite giving up a leadoff homer to Jac Caglianone in the ninth.

Noah Cameron (2-3) worked six innings, giving up three runs on five hits.

The Stephen F. Austin club baseball team attended Friday’s game and caused a sensation by the players took off their shirts and waved them like a helicopter. The team returned in the fourth inning Saturday after winning a game earlier in the National Club Baseball Division II World Series in nearby Alton, Illinois.

St. Louis has won four of its five games. Since Interleague play began in 1997, the Cardinals are 81-55 against Kansas City.

The Royals have lost six in a row. Kansas City has lost 17 of its first 23 road games, the second-worst mark in the majors.

Burleson's two-out RBI single in the eighth extended the lead to 4-1.

Thomas Saggese ended his 0-for-30 slump that was the longest active hitless streak in MLB with a leadoff single in the fifth inning. He scored on a fielder's choice by sliding safely at home. A sacrifice fly by Masyn Winn then gave St. Louis a 3-1 lead.

The Royals tied it at 1-1 in the fifth. Maikel Garcia hit a one-out double and scored on Vinnie Pasquantino’s two-out single to center.

St. Louis went up 1-0 in the first on a sacrifice fly by Burleson.

The rivalry weekend series wraps up Sunday with Royals RHP Stephen Kolak (1-0, 6.75 ERA) set to start against RHP Andre Pallante (4-3, 4.46).

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St. Louis Cardinals' Masyn Winn celebrates after hitting a sacrifice fly to score Nathan Church during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals Saturday, May 16, 2026, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

St. Louis Cardinals' Masyn Winn watches his sacrifice fly to score Nathan Church during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals Saturday, May 16, 2026, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Fans cheer and wave their shirts above their heads during the fifth inning of a baseball game between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Kansas City Royals Saturday, May 16, 2026, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

St. Louis Cardinals' Masyn Winn scores during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals Saturday, May 16, 2026, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

St. Louis Cardinals' Masyn Winn (0) and Victor Scott II (11) celebrate a victory over the Kansas City Royals in a baseball game Saturday, May 16, 2026, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)