Twins vs Pirates Recap: Larnach, Clemens pace early fire as Pirates rally

The Twins rolled into Pittsburgh for a Friday night showdown. Minnesota was hungry after losing three straight games. The Pirates, sitting at 30-28, wanted to keep their winning streak alive. Kody Clemens stepped up in the first inning and crushed a 100-mile-per-hour fastball deep to right field—365 feet of pure power. The ball soared over the wall and the Twins led 1-0. But Pittsburgh answered fast. The Pirates' bats came alive in the bottom of the first. Nick Gonzales singled and stole second on an error. Bryan Reynolds and Oneil Cruz drove in runs. Konnor Griffin added another hit. Just like that, the Pirates took a 3-1 lead. The momentum had completely flipped. Both teams were throwing haymakers early.

Minnesota refused to go away quietly. In the second inning, Tristan Gray singled to center field and drove in two runs with one swing. The Twins were back in it at 3-3. The momentum swung again when Trevor Larnach stepped to the plate in the third inning. He connected on a pitch and launched it to right field—424 feet of pure distance. The ball exploded off his bat and cleared the wall. Josh Bell scored behind him. Suddenly the Twins led 5-3. Pittsburgh's bats were still dangerous though. Oneil Cruz muscled a 450-foot home run to right field. The Pirates cut it to 5-4. This game was a slugfest. Both lineups were swinging hard and hitting the ball miles. The lead kept changing hands.

The Pirates came down to their final chance in the ninth inning. Minnesota's closer Taylor Rogers took the mound needing three outs. Bryan Reynolds stepped into the batter's box with purpose. The count went 1-1. Rogers threw a 93-mile-per-hour sinker. Reynolds was ready. He ripped a pitch to left field and watched it sail 422 feet over the wall. Another Pirates runner scored and the game was tied 5-5, then 6-5. The crowd erupted. Pirates 6, Twins 5. Pittsburgh locked in the victory and improved to 31-28. Minnesota fell to 27-32. Two teams giving everything they had. One team left celebrating at home.