Pablo López's 7 shutout innings paces Twins' 6-0 victory over Cardinals

The Minnesota Twins' Pablo López outdueled former Twin Sonny Gray on the mound Saturday night at Target Field as Minnesota evened up the three-game series with a 6-0 victory.

López was electric, throwing seven shutout innings, allowing only four hits, walking one and striking out nine. It's the first start the 28-year-old has gone seven innings since July 26 against the Detroit Tigers, earning his 12th win of the season in the effort.

Minnesota (72-57) pulled back into a tie with the Kansas City Royals for the second American League Wild Card spot as the Royals lost to the Philadelphia Phillies in blowout fashion. Meanwhile, the Cleveland Guardians defeated the Texas Rangers in the AL Central race to maintain a two-game lead over the Twins and Royals in the AL Central.

Twins outfielder Trevor Larnach hit his 13th and 14th home runs of the season, his first career multi-homer game. He finished 3-for-4 at the plate on the night.

It was a dominating, satisfying win after Friday night's disappointing loss.

Gray, who pitched for the Twins the last two seasons, was hit around but lasted six innings, giving up seven hits, five runs, two walks, and striking out seven in the game.

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Larnach hit a three-run homer in the third, scoring Austin Martin and Willi Castro. The Twins weren't done, as Royce Lewis and Matt Wallner singled, with Lewis advancing to third. Max Kepler grounded into a force out that scored Lewis, making it a 4-0 game.

Larnach hit a solo shot in the fifth to make it 5-0 and Wallner hit his ninth home run of the season in the eighth inning to wrap up Minnesota's scoring punch for the night.

Wallner also had a three-hit night to pace the Twins' offense.

"I think we needed a bounce back," Larnach said in a postgame interview, adding that the fans provided the team some motivation to make it happen.

Minnesota's bullpen was able to throw two scoreless innings, as Griffin Jax gave up one hit while striking out two in one inning and Jhoan Duran pitched a scoreless ninth inning, giving up one walk while also striking two.

Both teams will meet again for the rubber match on Sunday, as the Twins will send out rookie Zebby Matthews (1-1, 3.60 ERA) while the Cardinals' Erick Fedde (8-7, 3.39 ERA) will look to win the interleague matchup. First pitch is scheduled for 1:10 p.m. CT.

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