OF Max Kepler was 4-for-6 with three home runs and six RBIs in a 12-5 Twins victory over the Indians at Progressive Field on August 1.
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Even with Tomlin’s struggles, the Indians (75-56) now own a four-game lead over the Detroit Tigers (72-61) for first place in the American League Central Division standings heading into tonight’s series finale with the Twins. He was charged with four runs on seven hits in 1 2/3 innings, and his spot in the rotation could be in jeopardy. The homer was Perez’s second of the season.
Rajai Davis hit a three-run homer and Jason Kipnis added a solo shot for Cleveland, which trailed 4-1 in the second after the Twins knocked around Tomlin.
Unbeaten since July 3, Kluber (15-8) allowed three runs and six hits in eight solid innings to tame the Twins, winless since August 17.
Beltre homered for the Rangers, who won their fourth straight game and have a 10-1/2-game lead over third-place Seattle in the AL West.
In 17 career starts against the Twins, Kluber is 7-5.
The past two seasons with the Twins, first as infield coach and later as Ron Gardenhire’s successor, Molitor’s maximum losing streak was five. Manager Paul Molitor said Santana needs more than a month to recover and the team intends to shut him down rather than rush him back. In three starts versus the Twins this year, Tomlin is 2-0 with a 3.72 ERA. He’s pitched 183 2/3 inning for the season, an average of nearly seven innings a start.
“I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that”, said Francona.
The Twins had given up eight or more runs in six games in a row, a streak that was halted Monday when they held the Indians to one run. Kipnis walked, Francisco Lindor singled and Napoli walked. The Indians began the night 5-8 against the Twins in the season series. The home run was Santana’s 28th, which is a career high.
“Whatever move he makes I understand”, Tomlin said. “Every time I pitch I’m trying to go as deep into the game as I can”.
The Indians flew home Sunday night after a 2-5 trip through Oakland and Arlington, Texas. They were in need of some home cooking and Progressive Field provided it. Santana singled home a run and Chisenhall, pinch-hitting for Brandon Guyer, hit a sacrifice fly.
But before long, the Twins were down again and on their way to another loss.
The first two contests were one-run games with Cleveland winning 1-0 in 10 innings on Monday and 5-4 on Tuesday.
Dozier, like Kepler, likes Indians pitching. It was his sixth of the year against the Tribe.
Rookie Perci Garner, promoted from Class AAA Columbus on Wednesday, started the ninth. He recorded two outs, but left with the bases loaded. That is the most home runs in a month by a Twins player since Harmon Killebrew hit 12 in July 1969. “I think it was sometime previous year”.
Cleveland maintained its 4 1/2-game lead in the Central Division standings. The Tigers rallied late to beat the White Sox on Wednesday afternoon for the second straight game. His final two seasons in uniform, with the 1997-98 Twins, also featured 10-gamers, including September 9 through September 19 in his swan song.
Dozier led off the game by hitting Tomlin’s first pitch an estimated 430 feet into the bleachers in left-center field for his 31st home run. Dean threw 64 pitches, 40 for or 63 percent for strikes.
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Twins: RHP Trevor May (strained back) will throw a bullpen session at Target Field on Wednesday. The three-game series drew 35,075. After three with the Twins the Indians host the Marlins for three games and the Royals for four games. The Indians simply have not had the offense clicking since finishing up an emotionally-charged series against the Toronto Blue Jays two weekends ago.
