Final
Playoff-hopeful Indians resume series against Twins
Sep 27, 2013 - 2:50 PM (Sports Network) - The Cleveland Indians could be peaking at the right time.The Tribe goes after an eighth straight win and tries to move one step closer to a wild card berth on Friday, when the Indians continue their four-game series with the Minnesota Twins at Target Field.
Cleveland survived on Thursday, as Yan Gomes went 3-for-4 with a two-run homer and two runs scored to help the Indians to a 6-5 win. Michael Brantley went 3- for-5 with two RBI for the Indians, who almost blew a five-run ninth inning lead, but remained one game ahead of the Texas Rangers for the second AL wild card spot.
"You know what? I think we'll always figure out a way to win. That's kind of the way I always view it," Indians manager Terry Francona said.
Cleveland starter Zach McAllister tossed 4 1/3 scoreless innings. Bryan Shaw (7-3) pitched 1 2/3 spotless frames of relief to pick up the win.
Josmil Pinto hit a two-run homer during a four-run ninth for the Twins, who have dropped three in a row. Brian Dozier, Alex Presley and Ryan Doumit each had an RBI.
"Like the way they finished and got after it," Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said. "Just needed one more hit."
Minnesota starter Andrew Albers (2-5) gave up four runs -- three earned -- on seven hits over 5 2/3 innings. The left-hander has lost his last five decisions.
Getting the call for the Tribe on Friday will be red-hot right-hander Corey Kluber, who is 3-0 with a 4.05 ERA in four starts. Coincidentally or not, since Kluber's return after missing a month with a sprained finger on his pitching hand has coincided with the Indians' recent 14-5 run.
Kluber beat the Houston Astros on Sunday, holding them to a pair of runs in 5 1/3 innings to run his record to 10-5 while lowering his ERA to 3.61.
"I still think he's not in midseason form as far as his command," Francona said. "But he still competes. You saw what he gave us. I just think he's still kind of clawing his way back."
The Twins will counter with lefty Pedro Hernandez, who is 3-2 with a 6.05 ERA. Hernandez was hammered his last time out, as Oakland shelled him for six runs in just two innings.
"Hernandez basically centered the baseball and they made him pay," Gardenhire said.
Minnesota is playing for very little other than pride at this point, but Gardenhire is closing in on a significant milestone. The Twins skipper is two wins short of 1,000 for his career.
Gardenhire is in the final year of his contract and some have speculated that the 2010 AL Manager of the year may not return to the Twins next season.
Cleveland is 10-6 versus the Twins this season.
- CLEVELAND: 12
MINNESOTA: 6
Final
Sep 27 11:46 PM - Drew Stubbs two-out, two-run Home Run (10) to left center scored Mike Aviles. Michael Brantley due up.
Guardians 12, Twins 6 Top 9, 2 OutsSep 27 11:32 PM - Jason Kipnis double to center scored Drew Stubbs with two out. Runner on second and Carlos Santana due up.
Guardians 10, Twins 6 Top 8, 2 OutsSep 27 11:05 PM - Alex Presley single to left scored Chris Parmelee and Darin Mastroianni with two out. Runner on first and Brian Dozier due up.
Guardians 9, Twins 6 Bot 6, 2 OutsSep 27 10:36 PM - Pedro Florimon ground out first to pitcher scored Trevor Plouffe with two out. On the play, Darin Mastroianni advances to second and Chris Parmelee advances to third. Runners on second and third and Alex Presley due up.
Guardians 9, Twins 4 Bot 6, 2 OutsSep 27 10:35 PM - Pedro Florimon none-out, two-run Home Run (9) to right scored Darin Mastroianni. Alex Presley due up.
Guardians 9, Twins 3 Bot 5, 0 OutsSep 27 10:06 PM - Mike Aviles single to right scored Carlos Santana and Asdrubal Cabrera with two out. Runner on first and Drew Stubbs due up.
Guardians 9, Twins 1 Top 5, 2 OutsSep 27 10:00 PM - Trevor Plouffe single to left scored Ryan Doumit with two out. On the play, Josmil Pinto advances to second. Runners on first and second and Chris Parmelee due up.
Guardians 7, Twins 1 Bot 4, 2 OutsSep 27 9:36 PM - Ryan Raburn single to center scored Jason Kipnis and Carlos Santana with two out. Runner on first and Asdrubal Cabrera due up.
Guardians 7, Twins 0 Top 2, 2 OutsSep 27 8:56 PM - Nick Swisher grounded into a double play, third to second to first scored Drew Stubbs with two out. Michael Brantley out at second. None on and Jason Kipnis due up.
Guardians 5, Twins 0 Top 2, 2 OutsSep 27 8:44 PM - Yan Gomes single to right scored Asdrubal Cabrera with two out. Runner on first and Mike Aviles due up.
Guardians 4, Twins 0 Top 1, 2 OutsSep 27 8:29 PM - Asdrubal Cabrera double to center scored Carlos Santana with two out. Runner on second and Yan Gomes due up.
Guardians 3, Twins 0 Top 1, 2 OutsSep 27 8:27 PM - Carlos Santana double to center scored Jason Kipnis with one out. Runner on second and Ryan Raburn due up.
Guardians 2, Twins 0 Top 1, 1 OutSep 27 8:22 PM - Jason Kipnis triple to center scored Nick Swisher with one out. Runner on third and Carlos Santana due up.
Guardians 1, Twins 0 Top 1, 1 OutSep 27 8:19 PM - CLEVELAND: 0
MINNESOTA: 0
Top 1, 0 Outs
Sep 27 8:15 PM
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