Twins sweep doubleheader to stretch Guardians' skid to 7 straight, close AL Central gap to 1½ games

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Matt Wallner hit the go-ahead three-run homer for the Minnesota Twins in the fifth inning of the nightcap to spoil Cleveland starter Alex Cobb's season debut, fueling a 6-3 victory for a doubleheader sweep on Friday that gave the Guardians their seventh straight loss and further tightened the AL Central race.

Bailey Ober pitched six shutout innings and Carlos Santana and Ryan Jeffers hit solo homers to win the opener 4-2 for the surging Twins (65-50), who cut their deficit to 1½ games behind the Guardians (67-49).

That's the closest defending division champion Minnesota has been since May 13 to Cleveland, which has held first place for all but seven days in April.

Cobb (0-1), who was acquired for prospects on July 30 in a trade with San Francisco, surrendered three consecutive two-out hits in the fifth after Josh Naylor's three-run homer gave the Guardians a 3-2 lead in the top of the frame.

Wallner's soaring 106.9 mph drive to right field, his fourth home run in his last 10 games, was the first homer on a 3-0 count for the Twins this season and the last pitch for Cobb. The 36-year-old had offseason hip surgery after making his first All-Star game last year for the Giants.

The Guardians, who hadn't lost more than three games in a row all season until this skid started last weekend, went hitless against relievers Cole Sands (6-1), Caleb Thielbar and Trevor Richards after tagging Twins starter Louie Varland for eight hits and three runs in 4 2/3 innings.

Richards recorded his first save, after Jhoan Duran notched his 16th save in the opener by striking out the side in the ninth inning.

The Guardians, swept in their second doubleheader in three days, got a little sloppy in the nightcap. Willi Castro scored on a delayed steal of home in the first inning, after Wallner sprinted to second on a walk by Royce Lewis to draw a throw by catcher Austin Hedges. That's when Castro bolted home, and the throw to the plate was too late.

Twins backup catcher Christian Vázquez hustled home from second base, after a throwing error by shortstop Brayan Rocchio on an infield single skipped past Naylor at first.

Vázquez later scored on a balk by reliever Tim Herrin, after dancing down the third-base line to try to distract him. Herrin didn't think he did it, charging at home plate umpire Jim Wolf to yell his disgust. Rookie manager Stephen Vogt came out to protect his pitcher and shout his piece, drawing his first career ejection.

OBER IS LIGHTS OUT

Ober (12-5) has elevated himself into a legitimate ace at just the right time for the Twins, who shelved starting pitcher Joe Ryan with a shoulder injury before the game that puts his availability in question for the remainder of the regular season.

“It’s tough when guys go down, especially with how they’ve been doing," Ober said. "We’re hurting for them. We’re hoping they can get as healthy as they can. We’re just going to try to go out there and play our baseball.”

The 6-foot-9 right-hander, in his fourth year in the major leagues, dominated with just two hits and two walks allowed and nine strikeouts in a career-high 106 pitches against a lineup loaded with eight left-handed hitters. Ober logged his ninth consecutive quality start with three runs or fewer allowed and six innings or more completed, keeping the Guardians repeatedly guessing — late on his fastball and ahead on his changeup.

“I think we could’ve done a better job today, I really do, but at the same time he had his ‘A’ stuff,” Vogt said. “He kept us off balance.”

Joey Cantillo (0-2), who was recalled from Triple-A as the 27th player for the doubleheader, gave up three runs on five hits and three walks in 5 2/3 innings in his third major league start for the Guardians.

Rocchio's two-run homer in the seventh off Jorge Alcala brought the Guardians within 3-2, but Griffin Jax and Duran finished strong out of the bullpen for the Twins.

UP NEXT

Guardians RHP Gavin Williams (1-4, 4.91 ERA) starts on Saturday night. RHP Simeon Woods Richardson (3-2, 3.87 ERA) pitches for the Twins.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB

Cleveland Guardians first baseman Josh Naylor, left, tags out Minnesota Twins' Jose Miranda at first base during the first inning of the first game of a baseball doubleheader, Friday, Aug. 9, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Matt Krohn)

Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Joey Cantillo delivers against the Minnesota Twins during the first inning of the first game of a baseball doubleheader, Friday, Aug. 9, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Matt Krohn)

Minnesota Twins' Manuel Margot runs the bases after hitting a double against the Cleveland Guardians during the first inning of the first game of a baseball doubleheader, Friday, Aug. 9, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Matt Krohn)

Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Bailey Ober delivers against the Cleveland Guardians during the first inning of the first game of a baseball doubleheader, Friday, Aug. 9, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Matt Krohn)

Minnesota Twins' Carlos Santana, center, celebrates his solo home run with teammates Willi Castro, left, and Christian Vázquez, right, in the dugout during the second inning of the first game of a baseball doubleheader against the Cleveland Guardians, Friday, Aug. 9, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Matt Krohn)

Cleveland Guardians' Josh Naylor celebrates after his three-run home run with third base coach Rouglas Odor as he runs the bases during the fifth inning of the second game of a baseball doubleheader against the Minnesota Twins, Friday, Aug. 9, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Matt Krohn)

Minnesota Twins' Matt Wallner, left, celebrates after his three-run home run with third base coach Tommy Watkins, right, during the fifth inning of the second game of a baseball doubleheader against the Cleveland Guardians, Friday, Aug. 9, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Matt Krohn)

Minnesota Twins' Matt Wallner, left, hits a three-run home run against the Cleveland Guardians during the fifth inning of the second game of a baseball doubleheader, Friday, Aug. 9, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Matt Krohn)

BANGKOK (AP) — The head of Myanmar’s military government arrived in Thailand on Thursday for a regional summit, making a rare international trip as his country recovers from a devastating earthquake that killed thousands.

Senior General Min Aung Hlaing has been shunned by much of the West for overthrowing the democratically elected government of Aung Saan Suu Kyi and subsequent brutal repression. He has not been allowed to participate in meetings of another regional organization, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, since the army seized of power in February 2021 and began violently suppressing opposition.

He is one of several regional leaders visiting Bangkok for a three-day summit of nations in the Bay of Bengal region.

It was Min Aung Hlaing's first to a country other than his government’s main supporters and backers — China, Russia and Russian ally Belarus — since he attended a regional meeting in Indonesia in 2021.

He was greeted upon arrival at the airport by Thai Labor Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn.

He was expected to attend an official dinner for leaders of the seven-member Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation, or BIMSTEC, which includes Thailand, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal and Sri Lanka.

The meeting comes as Myanmar is still searching for survivors in the rubble left by a massive earthquake last week. The magnitude 7.7 quake toppled thousands of buildings, collapsed bridges and buckled roads. The death toll rose to 3,085 on Thursday, with more than 4,700 people injured and over 300 missing, the military said in a statement.

It worsened an already dire humanitarian crisis due to Myanmar’s civil war. More than 3 million people had been displaced from their homes and nearly 20 million were in need even before it hit, according to the United Nations.

The Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs said BIMSTEC members discussed disaster management during ministerial meetings on Thursday. Thailand postponed the meeting from last year after then-prime minister Srettha Thavisin was suddenly removed from his post by a court.

The earthquake killed at least 22 people in Bangkok, mostly due to the collapse of a high-rise building under construction.

The general’s visit drew condemnation and criticisms from his opponents. The shadow National Unity Government, or NUG, established by elected lawmakers who were barred from taking their seats, said it strongly condemed the inclusion of Min Aung Hlaing at the summit. It said he doesn't have the legitimacy to represent Myanmar.

The NUG said it urges BIMSTEC to "immediately revoke the military junta’s participation in the summit and related meetings.”

Activist group Justice for Myanmar said in a statement that the invitation for Min Aung Hlaing to attend the meeting “legitimises and emboldens a military junta that the people of Myanmar have been resisting for over four years, and tarnishes BIMSTEC’s reputation as a regional body.”

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs denied Thursday that the invitation had tarnished Thailand’s reputation.

“I think the inverse would occur if we don’t adhere to what the charter says and enshrined in the charter it says that Thailand has the responsibility to invite the leaders of all BIMSTEC leaders,” said ministry spokesperson Nikorndej Balankura.

Among other leaders attending the summit are Muhammad Yunus, chief advisor to the Bangladesh government, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Sri Lanka Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya arrives at a hotel during the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) ministerial meeting in Bangkok, Thailand, Thursday, April 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)

Nepal Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Oli, center, arrives at a hotel during the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) ministerial meeting in Bangkok, Thailand, Thursday, April 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)

Bangladesh's Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, center, arrives at Suvarnabhumi International Airport, in Samut Prakarn Province, Thursday, April 3, 2025. (Thailand's Foreign Affairs Ministry via AP)

Thailand's Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, center, and India Prime Minister Narendra Modi, right, review an honor guard during a welcome ceremony at the government house in Bangkok, Thailand, Thursday, April 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Jirasak Jivawatanawanit)

India Prime Minister Narendra Modi, left, escorted by Thailand's Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, listens to national anthems during a welcoming ceremony at the Government House in Bangkok, Thailand, Thursday, April 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Jirasak Jivawatanawanit)

Thailand's Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, left, and India Prime Minister Narendra Modi, right, arrive before review an honor guard during a welcome ceremony at the government house in Bangkok, Thailand, Thursday, April 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Jirasak Jivawatanawanit)

India Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives at Military airport in Bangkok, Thailand, Thursday, April 3, 2025. (Thailand's Foreign Affairs Ministry via AP)

India Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives at Military airport in Bangkok, Thailand, Thursday, April 3, 2025. (Thailand's Foreign Affairs Ministry via AP)

In this photo released by Thailand's Foreign Affairs Ministry, Myanmar's military leader Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, foreground left, arrives in Bangkok, Thailand, Thursday, April 3, 2025. (Thailand's Foreign Affairs Ministry via AP)

In this photo released by Thailand's Foreign Affairs Ministry, Myanmar's military leader Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, front left, arrives in Bangkok, Thailand, Thursday, April 3, 2025. (Thailand's Foreign Affairs Ministry via AP)

In this photo released by Thailand's Foreign Affairs Ministry, Myanmar's military leader Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, center, arrives in Bangkok, Thailand, Thursday, April 3, 2025. (Thailand's Foreign Affairs Ministry via AP)

In this photo released by Thailand's Foreign Affairs Ministry, Myanmar's military leader Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, foreground left, arrives in Bangkok, Thailand, Thursday, April 3, 2025. (Thailand's Foreign Affairs Ministry via AP)