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Indians target series win in finale with Twins

Jun 8, 2011 - 2:46 PM (Sports Network) - The Cleveland Indians take aim at a series win this afternoon when they play the rubber match of a three-game set against the Minnesota Twins at Progressive Field.

Cleveland snapped a seven-game home losing streak and won for the first time in six tries overall on Tuesday, as Carlos Carrasco gave up just three hits in 8 1/3 scoreless innings, while Shelley Duncan drove in the only run in a 1-0 win.

Carrasco (5-3) retired the first 13 batters he faced and ended with six strikeouts and just one walk for the Indians, who had dropped five straight games, including a 6-4 loss in the series opener on Monday.

"Carlos was tremendous," Indians manager Manny Acta said of his starter. "He had a very good fastball and kept it down at their knees and got a ton of groundballs."

The win also snapped an eight-game losing streak to their Central Division rivals dating back to last season.

Francisco Liriano (3-6) returned from the 15-day disabled list with left shoulder inflammation and allowed an unearned run in five innings for the Twins, who had a five-game winning streak stopped. He struck out seven batters and surrendered just three hits.

"I think we ran into a buzz saw pitcher tonight," Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said. "He was very good and didn't give us much of a chance to get things going."

Like the Indians Justin Masterson has had trouble finding the win column and today he attempts his first victory in eight starts. Masterson fell for the second straight time on Friday against Texas, as he allowed four runs and 10 hits in 6 1/3 frames.

Since opening the year 5-0, Masterson has lost his last four decisions and has seen his earned run average rise to 3.28.

Masterson's struggles may continue this afternoon, as he has never beaten the Twins, going 0-4 with a 4.82 ERA in eight games (five starts).

Minnesota, meanwhile, will counter with Carl Pavano, who won for the first time in seven starts his last time out. Pavano went the distance to defeat the Kansas City Royals on Friday, holding them to a pair of runs and nine hits to earn the 100th win of his career, upping his mark on the year to 3-5 to go along with a 4.83 ERA.

Pavano beat the Indians back on April 24 and is 3-2 in six starts against them with a 2.95 ERA.

The Twins have won three of their four matchups with the Indians this season.