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Indians clash with Twins seeking to even series

Sep 20, 2014 - 2:27 PM (SportsNetwork.com) - If the Cleveland Indians are going to see the playoffs for a second straight season, it's going to take some late-season dramatics.

The Indians dropped the opener of a three-game series with the Minnesota Twins at Target Field, but they'll return on Saturday night for the middle game of the crucial set.

Cleveland is tied with the New York Yankees in pursuit of the last of two American League wild card slots, and the pair trails Seattle, Kansas City and Oakland as well with nine games remaining.

The Indians led by a run in the ninth inning on Friday, but saw the bullpen turn the advantage into a 5-4 loss.

"Nobody's going to quit," manager Terry Francona said.

Rookie T.J. House starts Saturday amid a stretch that's seen him pitch seven innings in three straight starts while maintaining a 0.86 earned run average.

He defeated the Twins on Sept. 11 after allowing four hits and striking out eight batters in a 2-0 victory.

His turn was pushed back a day after Francona went with all right-handers in a four-game series against Houston earlier this week.

House is 2-0 with a 1.56 ERA against Minnesota.

He's opposed by rookie Trevor May, who's compiled a 4.50 ERA in winning three straight starts.

May beat the Indians with five innings of two-run ball on Sept. 9, then gave up three runs in six innings -- with 10 strikeouts -- while beating the Chicago White Sox, 6-4, on Sunday.

May has 34 strikeouts in 35 big-league innings.

"I've always kind of been a strikeout guy," he said. "Getting those first couple of strikes and then giving them some of my best stuff has translated into swings and misses."

The Twins have won three straight games, including the opener against Cleveland and two in a row against Detroit, which leads the AL Central Division.

"We're just trying to continue to play good baseball," Minnesota's Trevor Plouffe said. "We know we're out of it, but this is the time for a lot of guys to show they can play in a situation like this, against these good teams late in the season."

On Friday, Plouffe's RBI single in the 10th inning gave the Twins the win over Cleveland.

With Kyle Crockett (4-1) on the mound, Danny Santana led off with a single, Brian Dozier then singled and Joe Mauer was issued an intentional walk. Kennys Vargas then struck out and Josh Tomlin took the mound. Plouffe greeted him with a liner that dropped in center for the win.

Oswaldo Arcia went 3-for-4 with a home run and two RBI, while Vargas also hit a solo home run for the Twins.

Phil Hughes went seven innings and allowed four runs on 10 hits with five strikeouts, while Jared Burton (3-5) got the final two outs of the 10th for the win.

Michael Brantley hit a solo home run for the Indians.

Trevor Bauer gave up three runs on four hits over six innings in the start.

Cleveland is 9-8 versus the Twins this season.