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Diamond cuts up Indians in first shutout

Jul 28, 2012 - 3:29 AM Minneapolis, MN (Sports Network) - Scott Diamond dazzled Cleveland hitters over nine frames to lead the Minnesota Twins to an 11-0 win over the Indians in the opener of a three-game set at Target Field.

Diamond (9-4) allowed a season-low three hits and struck out six without issuing a walk en route to his first career shutout.

"Any time you have a good tempo, work fast, throw strikes it's going to keep the defense in the game," Twins outfielder Josh Willingham said of Diamond. "And that's what happened tonight."

Willingham and Justin Morneau each hit three-run homers and Joe Mauer had three hits and scored three runs for the Twins, who had lost four of five entering Friday.

"I've had good years, average years,and some not so good years," Willingham said. "You never know, you come to the park each day play hard and let it happen. Keep coming to the park and playing, that's all you can do."

Travis Hafner had two hits and Jose Lopez singled for the Indians, losers in six of their last nine.

Josh Tomlin (5-8) was pegged with the loss after giving up eight runs on 10 hits in just four innings of work.

"I just didn't gave a good change up tonight," Tomlin said. "I think I made some pretty good ptiches inside but left a few exposed over the plate and they hit them out of the park."

Morneau's three-run homer put the Twins up in the first. Denard Span and Mauer singled before Morneau clobbered his 12th homer of the season.

The Twins broke the game open with a five-run fourth. Alexi Casilla singled and Denard Span beat out a bunt to put two runners on. Ben Revere's base hit scored Casilla and Mauer followed with a base hit to plate Span. Willingham then ripped a three-run blast to put Minnesota up 8-0.

Minnesota added three more in the sixth to make it 11-0. Casilla and Span walked before Mauer singled to score Casilla. Willingham followed with a single to plate Span, and Ryan Doumit's double pushed Mauer across to cap the scoring.

Game Notes

Diamond has never pitched more than eight innings in his career...Span had two hits, walked twice and scored three runs...Revere extended his hitting-streak to 10 games...Twins infielder Trevor Plouffe was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a bruised right thumb. Danny Valencia was recalled by Minnesota to take Plouffe's place....The Indians have been shut out five times this season and three times since the All-Star break.