Minnesota continued its devastating attack on Cleveland pitching with a third consecutive rout.
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Max Kepler had a big night Monday in Cleveland.
“You have to enjoy these things when they come along”, manager Paul Molitor said. Eddie Rosario added three hits and three RBIs for the Twins. Justin Morneau, Harmon Killabrew, Bob Allison and Tony Oliva were the others – but none of them were rookies.
“It was back-to-back bad games for us, but you know what?”
Minnesota carried its 8-6 lead into the ninth before Eduardo Escobar hit a two-run homer off Austin Adams.
Rookie outfielder Kepler homered twice off Salazar and once against Cody Anderson.
All-Star reliever Andrew Miller, who was acquired Sunday from the Yankees in exchange for four minor leaguers, made his debut with Cleveland.
Kepler is hitting. 381 (16-for-42) with six home runs, 12 RBIs and 14 runs scored in his past 12 games.
Cleveland Indians’ Lonnie Chisenhall makes a diving attempt on a single by Minnesota Twins’ Max Kepler during the third inning of a baseball game Wednesday, Aug. 3, 2016, in Cleveland.
“That was fun to watch”.
“Obviously he’s feeling very comfortable at the plate”, said Molitor.
Lindor went 3 for 5 with an RBI and leads the majors with 18 three-hit games. “It’s a cool feeling”.
The Indians have been tormented by the last-place Minnesota Twins all year and this week, it has only been magnified.
The Indians have eight regular-season games remaining against the Minnesota Twins. In just 2.2 innings of work, right-hander Trevor Bauer allowed eight hits and surrendered eight runs, seven of which were earned. “I just needed to express my frustration”. Minnesota took the first pair by a combined 22-11 score.
That was exactly what happened as they coaxed five walks out of him, leading to eight runs in under three full innings as the Twins won 13-5. In the sixth inning, Mauer led off with a single.
Strasburg (15-1) gave up one run on three hits in six innings and tied his career high for victories set in 2012, his first full season.
Carlos Santana and Mike Napoli each hit a two-run homer.
Salazar, who was selected for the All-Star Game and was one of the best starters in the league in the first half of the season, has struggled in the second half. The Indians will recall RHP Mike Clevinger from Triple-A Columbus to assume Salazar’s spot in the rotation. “But I” confident we’ll bounce back”. “Hopefully it will show nothing and he can relax”. He pitched well in beating Kansas City on July 20 after going 10 days between starts, but has allowed 10 runs in six innings over his last two outings.
Chicago put its first two batters on in the fifth, but Sanchez picked off Tyler Saladino and worked out of the jam. The Tigers took advantage in the bottom of the inning.
Minnesota added another run in the top of the eighth inning when Mauer tripled home Dozier, and then, three more insurance runs when Dozier belted a home run to left-center field that drove in third baseman Jorge Polanco and Santana in the top of the ninth.
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The Indians’ inability to beat the Twins is perplexing.
