Final
Byrd's 2-run double in 8th lifts Indians past Twins 7-6
May 14, 2016 - 3:46 AM CLEVELAND (AP) Marlon Byrd found a good pitch to hit at a crucial moment Friday night.Byrd's two-run double in the eighth inning lifted the Cleveland Indians to a 7-6 win over Minnesota, sending the Twins to their eighth straight loss.
Byrd's big hit off Trevor May came after Minnesota broke a 4-all tie in the top of the inning and lifted the Indians to their seventh win in 10 games.
''In that situation, I'm looking for him to hopefully make a mistake,'' Byrd said. ''You're talking about a 96 mph fastball and a breaking ball he usually buries. I think that's the only one he wants back, the breaking ball he left up.''
The win, which came after a 16-inning loss in Houston on Wednesday, wasn't easy. The Indians trailed early and rallied twice to tie the game only to see the Twins go ahead again.
''Two days ago, we had the walk-off and the long-inning game, that was tough,'' Byrd said. ''To come out on top was good.''
Eduardo Nunez hit a leadoff home run in the eighth to break a 4-all tie, but Cleveland rallied for three runs off May (0-2).
Francisco Lindor singled and stole second. Jose Ramirez drew a one-out walk before Byrd, who drove in three runs, pounded a 1-2 pitch over the head of center fielder Danny Santana.
Juan Uribe added an RBI single in the eighth. Byrd also had a sacrifice fly in the sixth, while Yan Gomes and Jason Kipnis homered for Cleveland.
Byrd, a 16-year veteran, was signed in the offseason to provide outfield depth.
''He's a smart hitter,'' Indians manager Terry Francona said. ''You don't last as long as he has just by being strong or athletic.''
Zach McAllister (2-1) struck out two with the bases loaded in the eighth.
Cody Allen allowed a run in the ninth, but stranded two runners to record his ninth save.
Nunez hit a one-out single to cut the lead to one, and he stole second. Allen struck out Miguel Sano, but Trevor Plouffe walked. Byung Ho Park, who homered twice and drove in three runs, struck out to end the game.
Park hit a solo home run in the second and a two-run shot in the third, while Sano hit a solo homer in the first.
Neither starter was involved in the decision. Minnesota's Ricky Nolasco gave up four runs in six innings. Josh Tomlin allowed four runs in 6 1/3 innings.
Gomes' two-run homer tied the game in the second, breaking an 0-for-20 slump.
The Twins (8-26) are tied with Atlanta for the worst record in the majors. Minnesota has lost 12 of 13 and is 2-16 on the road.
''Everybody in here is working as hard as they can, which is all you can ask for, but we've got to get some results pretty soon,'' Nolasco said.
Indians outfielder Michael Brantley was out of the lineup for the third straight game because of fatigue in his surgically repaired right shoulder. Brantley sustained a torn labrum late last season and underwent surgery in November.
Cleveland outfielder Lonnie Chisenhall was placed on the bereavement list following a death in the family. He can remain on the list for 3-to-7 days.
THERE HE GOES AGAIN
Lindor turned in another outstanding defensive play in the fourth when he charged Santana's grounder, made a barehand grab and finished with a strong throw to first for the out.
''I had a front-row seat,'' Tomlin said. It was pretty awesome.''
TRAINER'S ROOM
Indians: RHP Carlos Carrasco (strained left hamstring) threw on the side Friday and is scheduled for another session Monday.
UP NEXT
Twins: RHP Ervin Santana makes his second start since returning from a lower-back strain. He allowed three runs in 3 1/3 innings in a 7-2 loss to the White Sox on May 7.
Indians: RHP Corey Kluber equaled the second-shortest start of his career in his last outing. He lasted 2 2/3 innings, giving up five runs, in a 7-1 loss at Houston on Monday.
- MINNESOTA: 6
CLEVELAND: 7
Final
Sep 26 12:05 PM - Eduardo Nunez singles to center field. Danny Santana scores.
Twins 6, Guardians 7 Top 9, 1 OutMay 13 10:07 PM - Juan Uribe singles to right field, advances to 2nd. Tyler Naquin scores. Fielding error by Miguel Sano.
Twins 5, Guardians 7 Bot 8, 2 OutsMay 13 9:57 PM - On right fielder Sano's throwing error, Uribe to second.
Twins 5, Guardians 6 Bot 8, 2 OutsMay 13 9:56 PM - Marlon Byrd doubles to deep center field. Jose Ramirez scores. Francisco Lindor scores.
Twins 5, Guardians 6 Bot 8, 1 OutMay 13 9:52 PM - Marlon Byrd out on a sacrifice fly to deep right center field to Miguel Sano. Mike Napoli to third. Francisco Lindor scores.
Twins 4, Guardians 4 Bot 6, 1 OutMay 13 8:57 PM - Plouffe safe at first on fielding error by third baseman Uribe.
Twins 4, Guardians 2 Top 3, 1 OutMay 13 7:59 PM - Byung-Ho Park homers to left field. Trevor Plouffe scores.
Twins 4, Guardians 2 Top 3, 1 OutMay 13 7:59 PM - Yan Gomes homers to left field. Jose Ramirez scores.
Twins 2, Guardians 2 Bot 2, 2 OutsMay 13 7:50 PM - Joe Mauer grounds out to shortstop, Francisco Lindor to Mike Napoli.
May 13 7:12 PM - MINNESOTA: 0
CLEVELAND: 0
Final
May 13 7:10 PM
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