Final
Indians turn to Kazmir with postseason on the line
Sep 28, 2013 - 2:17 PM (Sports Network) - Scott Kazmir made just one Major League start over the previous two seasons, but on Saturday afternoon the left-hander has a chance to send the Cleveland Indians to the playoffs.The Tribe look to post their longest winning streak in five years as they continue a four-game set with the Minnesota Twins.
Cleveland has won eight in a row to match a season high and moved into a tie with Tampa Bay for the American League's first wild card after last night's 12-6 win over the Twins and the Rays' setback to Toronto.
Both clubs are a game ahead of Texas in the standings and either would clinch a playoff spot today with a victory and a Rangers' setback to the Los Angeles Angels.
The Indians are looking to post their longest winning streak since winning 10 in a row from Aug. 17-27, 2008 and turn to Kazmir, who is 9-9 with a 4.14 earned run average in 28 starts this season.
Kazmir has split four starts this month. He began September with six scoreless innings and 12 strikeouts to beat the New York Mets on Sept. 6, then dropped back-to-back outings versus Kansas City.
The 29-year-old returned to beat Houston on Saturday, scattering four hits over seven-plus scoreless innings while striking out 10.
Kazmir is 2-0 with a 1.44 ERA in four starts versus the Twins.
The Tribe jumped on the Twins early in last night's win, plating seven runs over the first two innings. Jason Kipnis had three hits and drove in two runs, while Drew Stubbs hit a two-run homer and scored three times.
Corey Kluber gave up six runs along with 10 hits and a walk over 5 1/3 innings to get the win for the Tribe, who are 19-6 in September.
"I just want to keep playing. I don't want to go home. I don't care where we play, when we play, I just want to keep playing," Indians manager Terry Francona said. "I should just sit here and stay in my uniform because I'm probably not going to sleep a heck of a lot."
Pedro Florimon hit a two-run home run and drove in three for the Twins, who have dropped four straight and eight of nine.
Pedro Hernandez gave up six runs on seven hits in just 1 2/3 innings to take the loss.
"He just had a bad night," Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said. "They were all over him right from the get-go. Kind of non-stop."
Cole De Vries takes the mound today for the Twins for his second start of the season. He is 0-1 with an 11.70 ERA in three appearances this year overall after going 5-5 with a 4.11 ERA in 17 games last year, all but one of those starts.
De Vries yielded seven runs over his two relief outings before taking a loss in a start at Oakland on Sunday. The 28-year-old righty was charged with six runs on four hits and three walks over just two innings.
De Vries faced the Indians once last year and hurled six scoreless innings of three-hit ball to get the win.
Cleveland is 11-6 versus the Twins this season.
- CLEVELAND: 5
MINNESOTA: 1
Final
Sep 28 6:26 PM - Jason Kipnis singled to right scoring Michael Bourn with two outs. On the play, Nick Swisher advances to third. Runners on first and third with two outs and Carlos Santana due up.
Guardians 5, Twins 1 Top 5, 2 OutsSep 28 5:04 PM - Michael Bourn doubled to right scoring Yan Gomes and Mike Aviles with two outs. Runner on third with two outs and Nick Swisher due up.
Guardians 4, Twins 1 Top 5, 2 OutsSep 28 5:00 PM - Eric Fryer singled to right scoring Ryan Doumit with two outs. On the play, Josh Willingham advances to second. Runners on first and second with two outs and Pedro Florimon due up.
Guardians 2, Twins 1 Bot 4, 2 OutsSep 28 4:43 PM - Carlos Santana two-out, two-run Home Run (20) to right scored Jason Kipnis. Michael Brantley due up.
Guardians 2, Twins 0 Top 4, 2 OutsSep 28 4:30 PM - CLEVELAND: 0
MINNESOTA: 0
Top 1, 0 Outs
Sep 28 3:31 PM
Related News
- Greatest Minnesota Twins: The Twinkie Town Definitive List (Round 9) Dec 26
- A note from the front while awaiting news of anything resembling a baseball thing at all Dec 25
- The season of perpetual hope (Pt. 3 of 3): Jim Eisenreich Dec 24
- Analysis of the ZiPS Projections for the 2024 Guardians Dec 24
- Copy of Happy Holidays From the CTC Team: Tell us your Guardians’ Christmas Wish Dec 24
- N&N: Padres ink Yuki Matsui for 5 years Dec 24
- Rival Roundup, Vol. 47: Home for the Holidays Dec 23
- Where Are They Now? - Your Favorite Forgotten Players From 2016 - 2023 Dec 22
- News and Notes: Is MLB's Hot Stove About to Burst Into Flame? Dec 22
- 75 Years and Counting: The story of the 1983 Cleveland Indians Dec 21
- News and Notes: Guardians ZiPS Projections Releasing Soon on FanGraphs Dec 21
- 75 Years and Counting: The Story of the 1982 Cleveland Indians Dec 20