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Kubel helps Twins sneak by Indians

Apr 24, 2011 - 9:56 PM Minneapolis, MN (Sports Network) - Jason Kubel's two-run double in the seventh was the difference, as the Minnesota Twins claimed a 4-3 win over the Cleveland Indians to sweep a rain-shortened two-game series.

Justin Morneau also had a two-run double for the Twins, who have won three straight, including a 10-3 decision over Cleveland on Saturday. Jim Thome and Alexi Casilla each had two hits in the win.

"We're making it work," Kubel said. "The bats are coming around and the pitching has been great. Right now we're turning it around and doing well."

Minnesota starter Carl Pavano (2-2) got the win after allowing three runs on six hits and two walks in seven innings.

Michael Brantley had a home run ruled a double, but it still scored two for the Indians, who are on their first three-game losing skid of the season.

Rafael Perez (2-1) was charged with the loss for the Tribe.

The Twins set up Kubel's double in the seventh with the use of some small ball and a little luck.

Casilla led off the inning with a single to chase Jeanmar Gomez, and the Indians brought in Perez. Denard Span then reached on Orlando Cabrera's error and the two runners advanced on Jason Repko's sacrifice bunt.

Kubel finished the well executed inning with a double to right, plating Casilla and Span for the 4-3 lead.

"They played better than us," Indians manager Manny Acta said. "Obviously they took advantage of the extra out. Their big hitters came through and were clutch in that situation."

The Twins used three pitchers -- Glen Perkins, Jim Hoey and Jose Mijares -- to get through the eighth, and Matt Capps tossed a one-hit ninth to get his fourth save of the season.

Minnesota got on the board in the third inning, when Morneau hammered a two- run double over center fielder Grady Sizemore's head to send Span and Kubel home.

But Cleveland answered with a three-run top of the fourth. Carlos Santana got on base with a one-out walk and moved to second on a Travis Hafner single. The Indians then scored three runs on back-to-back doubles by Cabrera and Brantley.

Brantley's hit was originally ruled a home run, but was overturned by review, which showed the ball hitting the top of the wall where the seats overhang the field in right at Target Field. The double, however, scored Hafner and Cabrera for a 3-2 edge.

Game Notes

Pavano improved to 3-2 against the Indians in his career...Minnesota was 12-6 against the Indians last season and has won 17 of the last 23 meetings in the series...Indians starter Carlos Carrasco pitched three innings, giving up two runs on six hits and two walks.