CLEVELAND — Joe Ryan’s first start after the All-Star break was one of the worst of his career and established a franchise record, too.
The Minnesota Twins right-hander lasted only four innings in Monday night’s series opener, surrendering a career-worst six home runs to the light-hitting Cleveland Guardians. Ryan exited with the Twins trailing 8-2.
The outing marked the first time Ryan pitched for the Twins since he struck out two in a scoreless inning for the American League during Tuesday’s All-Star Game in Philadelphia, the second All-Star appearance of his career.
Before the start, Ryan was 6-5 with a 2.85 ERA and only 10 home runs allowed in 110 1/3 innings this season.
Brayan Rocchio started Cleveland’s long ball party with a two-run homer, which came with two outs in the first inning. Rhys Hoskins followed with a solo shot, the second time all season Cleveland hit back-to-back homers.
And the Guardians, who entered Monday tied for 27th among 30 teams in baseball with 94 homers, were only getting started.
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Petey Halpin hit a two-run blast in the second inning for the first home run of his MLB career. Two batters later, Travis Bazzana hit Cleveland’s fourth round-tripper.
Hoskins hit his second of the night, and the team’s fifth, to start the third inning, and Halpin, who entered the game with a .471 OPS in 71 plate appearances, belted the Guardians’ sixth homer to lead off the fourth.
Ryan had twice allowed five home runs in a start before Monday night. In an outing at San Diego on July 29, 2022, Ryan served up five long balls and a career-worst 10 earned runs. He also yielded five round-trippers in a start at Atlanta on June 27, 2023.
Overall, Ryan allowed a career-high 10 hits in four innings while striking out three batters.
It marked the third straight poor outing from a Twins starting pitcher. Taj Bradley surrendered five earned runs in a 6-2 loss to the Chicago Cubs on Saturday, and Zebby Matthews allowed 10 runs (eight earned) in a 10-1 blowout loss to Chicago on Sunday.
