Woods Richardson, who threw a first-pitch strike to 11 of his 19 batters, has completed fewer than five innings in five of his last nine starts. With a slight downtick in velocity Monday, Woods Richardson had solid results with his fastball, but his offspeed pitches didn’t generate many swings and misses.
Twins Manager Rocco Baldelli, who notched his 450th career win, turned to the bullpen once Woods Richardson faced the top of the Rays lineup for the third time. Woods Richardson nearly finished the fourth inning with a strike ‘em out, throw ‘em out double play, but after a replay review reversed an out call at second base, Alcala emerged from the bullpen.
Alcala, who has allowed nine hits and seven runs in his last 2 2/3 innings, stranded a runner at second base with a strikeout in the fourth inning, then stranded two more runners with a called third strike in the fifth inning.
After Henriquez pitched a clean sixth inning, Griffin Jax struck out two batters in the seventh. After Lee provided his insurance run, Sands and Duran finished it out.
Edouard Julien and Christian Vázquez, the bottom two batters in the Twins lineup, set up Larnach’s two-out homer when they reached base against Littell with a single and a walk. After Willi Castro struck out, Larnach connected on an elevated slider. It was his hardest-hit homer since 2021, according to Statcast.
In the first inning, Royce Lewis slashed an RBI double down the third-base line to score Larnach, who drew a walk. Littell permitted seven hits and four walks in four innings.