Salazar (11-4) was placed on the 15-day disabled list with right elbow inflammation Tuesday.
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Max Kelpler has a chance to become the first Twins player to hit four home runs in a game in the 9th inning, but he got a single instead.
Kepler hit his fourth two-run homer of the series in the third inning, two batters after Brian Dozier’s two-run shot.
Eddie Rosario led off the second with a home run.
CLEVELAND (AP) – Max Kepler is powering his way into Rookie of the Year consideration. Five relievers combining to shut down the Twins, four times stranding base runners in scoring position, until the ninth inning, when Eduardo Escobar scalded a two-run homer of his own.
“It’s a good feeling”, he said. “I was ecstatic. I’ve had two before in the minors and once up here”. I’m not sure how long it will last, but it’s got to be exciting for Twins fans in an otherwise trying season. He grounded out in the fourth, and hit a two-run homer off Cody Anderson in the sixth.
But the way Gibson was pitching – only three singles through four innings, seven batters set down in a row at one point – none of that relief work would make much difference. With one out in the first inning Mauer walked and Kepler hit the first of his three home runs, giving the Twins a 2-0 lead.
In that last at bat, Kepler faced Andrew Miller, who was acquired by Cleveland on Sunday in a trade with the Yankees. Gibson allowed six runs on 10 hits in 4 2/3 innings.
Miller received a standing ovation as he took the mound to start the eighth, then gave up a leadoff homer to Joe Mauer.
Kepler, who hit three home runs in Monday’s game, homered in the third inning Tuesday. “We hit a lot of balls hard”, Twins manager Paul Molitor said. “He’s doing a nice job with his swing”, said Molitor of his rookie’s big night.
Wilson Ramos had three of the Nationals’ season-high 19 hits and drove in two runs, and Anthony Rendon had two hits and three RBIs as the Nationals (62-44) scored six runs in the first two innings while breaking a two-game losing streak.
It’s been a rough year for the Minnesota Twins, as they have the worst record in the American League at 41-64.
With one out in the fourth, Jorge Polanco doubled and went to third on a single by Santana. There is no structural damage to the elbow and Salazar is expected to be back with the Indians again in two to three weeks. He has allowed 10 runs in six innings over his last two outings.
“There’s something in my elbow”, Salazar said Monday night. “I want to find out what’s going on, so I know what’s in there”.
Gibson was removed from the game and an 8-0 Twins lead was down to 8-6. You get a guy like Salazar out there facing a kid that just got called up.
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“If you’re going to miss pitches, they’re going to hit you, no matter who we play – the Twins, Chicago, Detroit”. The right-hander has an 8.84 ERA over his past four starts, totaling only 18 1/3 innings. During his career against the Indians, he is 2-0 with a 2.10 ERA.
