Twins 4 - 3 Guardians
Final
  for this game

Indians, Twins commence set at Progressive Field

Sep 9, 2014 - 2:49 PM (SportsNetwork.com) - The Cleveland Indians try to gain some ground in the American League playoff race on Tuesday when they open a three-game series with the Minnesota Twins at Progressive Field.

Cleveland comes into the contest just 4 1/2 games back of the second wild card spot in the AL. It is also five games behind the Kansas City Royals in the AL Central.

The Indians failed to gain ground on Monday, as they had a three-game winning streak stopped with a 12-2 shellacking at the hands of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.

Lonnie Chisenhall homered and drove in all three runs for the Indians, who lost for just the fifth time in 15 games. Danny Salazar absorbed the loss and was rocked for six runs over 4 2/3 innings

Now the Tribe turns to righty Trevor Bauer, who is 5-7 with a 4.10 ERA. Bauer did not get a decision on Thursday against Detroit, but did not pitch well, as he allowed four runs and six hits in 5 2/3 innings of an 11-4 loss.

Minnesota, meanwhile, will counter with righty Trevor May, who picked up his first major league win his last time out. May beat Chicago on Wednesday and held the White Sox to three runs and six hits in five innings.

"My stuff was sharper. I felt more confident throwing everything for strikes. Being able to use all your pitches at any time was big. It wasn't as sharp as I have been, but sharper," said May, who is 1-4 with a 9.38 ERA. "It feels a lot better than the last four starts. Getting a win is definitely a step in the right direction. All the work I've been doing in between starts has started to pay off. With the run support I got, things worked out and it feels good."

Minnesota also enters this series on the heels of a loss to the Angels. The Twins were swept over the weekend and were hammered in Sunday's finale, 14-4.

Kennys Vargas belted a solo homer for the Twins, who have dropped eight of their last 10 games. Logan Darnell (0-2), in his fourth major league start, yielded five hits and as many runs over 4 2/3 innings.

Cleveland is 7-6 against the Twins this season.






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