Indians at Twins
The Cleveland Indians attempt to end a six-game road trip on a winning note when they close out a two-game series against the Minnesota Twins on Tuesday. Cleveland is a sharp 11-6 on the road after Monday’s 5-4 victory over the Twins but lost three straight games in Boston prior to arriving in the Twin Cities. Minnesota staged a three-run eighth-inning rally before the Indians pushed across the decisive run in the ninth.
Minnesota has the worst record in the majors at 10-25 and is just 6-13 at Target Field. The Twins are 3-5 on a nine-game homestand and Monday’s four runs were the most they have scored in a loss since April 27. Minnesota hopes to get first baseman Justin Morneau back from a wrist injury during an upcoming eight-game road trip. Cleveland’s winning run was driven in by outfielder Shin-Soo Choo, who batted leadoff in place of struggling Johnny Damon. Indians manager Manny Acta said Choo will bat leadoff again in the finale.
TV: 1:10 p.m. ET, Sports Time Ohio (Cleveland)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Indians RH Derek Lowe (5-1, 2.47 ERA) vs. Twins RH Jason Marquis (2-2, 6.26 ERA)
Lowe has won three straight decisions and allowed just five runs in 25 2/3 innings over his last four starts. He has allowed 53 hits and opponents are batting .303 against him but Lowe has done well working out of jams. Lowe has a 5.97 ERA in 21 career appearances (seven starts) against Minnesota.
Marquis has lost back-to-back starts and allowed six runs (five earned) and seven hits in four innings in losing to the Toronto Blue Jays in his most-recent outing. Opponents are batting .337 against him. Marquis is making his second career start against Cleveland. He gave up seven runs in six innings while losing to the Indians in 2006 when he was with the St. Louis Cardinals.
WALK-OFFS
1. Indians outfielder Michael Brantley was hitless in four at-bats Monday after going 9-for-18 over the previous four games.
2. Minnesota’s Joe Mauer is batting .600 (6-for-10) against Lowe.
3. Cleveland third baseman Jack Hannahan missed Monday’s game with lower-back tightness.