MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Royce Lewis hit a grand slam for his first major league homer, capping a nine-run fifth inning that sent the Minnesota Twins beating the coronavirus-stricken Cleveland Guardians 12-8 on Friday. . Byron Buxton, Jorge Polanco and Gary Sánchez also homered for Minnesota. The flurry came after Minnesota sat out two of their three games against Houston. READ MORE: Álvarez hits two home runs, Astros edge Twins 5-0 for 10th straight win “It all came down to good at-bats what we yearn for We had one after another,” Twins manager Rocco Baldelli said. “It was kind of a breakthrough where we really created that really cool separation that we’re always going for.” The Guardians returned after a Wednesday game at the Chicago White Sox was canceled, that was the first COVID-19-related postponement in the majors this season. Cleveland pitching coach Carl Willis managed the team in place of manager Terry Francona, who entered MLB’s health and safety protocols this week. First base coach Sandy Alomar, third base coach Mike Sarbaugh, bench coach DeMarlo Hale, assistant pitching coach Joe Torres and hitting analyst Justin Toole are also out. “We just want to be accountable to each other and go out and support each other and play the game the right way,” Willis said. “I think they are in a good mood.” Lewis, the Twins’ top prospect who debuted earlier this season, batted twice in the fifth. After doubling on his first trip to the plate in the inning, Lewis cleared the bases with a grand slam off reliever Bryan Shaw. after his memorable home run. “I think it was pretty much everything he could have imagined and more,” Lewis said. “I really appreciate it. This fan base has always been very, very special to me and it’s always been great to me. Nice Minnesota.” Lewis didn’t play at all in 2020 or 2021, missing all of last year because of a tear in the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee. He made his Twins debut on May 6 after Carlos Correa went on the Disabled List. Lewis now has hits in six of his first seven major league games. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to be here and have fun playing the game I love,” Lewis said.READ MORE: Severe weather calls off Twins play, with Astros winning 5-1Minnesota had gone four games without a home run, but got its first of the night in the first at-bat. Buxton connected off Aaron Civale (1-3) for a drive deep into the second deck in left field. Polanco also hit a solo home run in the first inning off Civale, who eventually calmed down to withdraw to 11 batters in a row before Minnesota’s offense blew up. Shaw for a three-run drive in the fifth to make it 7-2. Twins starter Sonny Gray had mixed results in his departure. He struck out a season-high eight but also walked four in 4 1/3 innings, allowing two runs on four hits. He gave up a solo home run to No. 9 hitter Austin Hedges in the fifth. “I’m not too thrilled with the way I shot the ball,” Gray said. “I think as a unit and as a whole staff in general, we have to clean up walks and give teams free passes.” Griffin Jax (3-0) relieved Gray and got the win despite giving up four runs on four hits. and three walks in 2 1/3 innings. COVID IN THE CLUBHOUSE Willis once pitched for the Twins. “I told the players, we just want them to play the right way,” Willis said before the game. “We’re not going to stand in his way, but we’ll make whatever decisions we have to make and we’ll move on and we’ll move on.” Cleveland in Game 2 of the series as it looks to bounce back from its worst outing of the year. Devin Smelter will be called up from Triple-A St. Paul for his 2022 debut to start Saturday’s game for the Twins, Baldelli said after Friday’s game. MORE NEWS: Twins place Carlos Correa on injured list with bruised finger All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)