Indians at Twins (Game 2)
The Cleveland Indians have felt quite comfortable at Target Field this season and can push their way into first place in the American League Central when they visit the Minnesota Twins for a split doubleheader Saturday. The Indians took the series opener 8-1 on Friday to extend their winning streak to five at Minnesota, including four this season while outscoring the Twins 28-8.
Slugger Edwin Encarnacion continues to warm up for the Indians after a slow start while belting a three-run homer Friday - his fourth blast in the last seven games to push his season total to 14. Jose Ramirez is also a sizzling 8-for-13 with three RBIs over the last three games for Cleveland, which trails first-place Minnesota by one game in the Central heading into the weekend. The Twins lost for the fourth time in six games Friday, managing just four hits, and have allowed 41 runs in those four setbacks. Joe Mauer saw his 15-game hitting streak against the Indians come to an end in the series opener, but Eddie Rosario provided the only run with a solo homer and owns a .309 career batting average against Cleveland.
TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, SportsTime Ohio (Cleveland), FSN North (Minnesota)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Indians RH Mike Clevinger (2-3, 4.09 ERA) vs. Twins LH Adalberto Mejia (1-2, 5.75)
Clevinger is slated to make his seventh start of the season after struggling the last time he was on the mound for Cleveland on June 6, when he allowed five runs over four innings in a loss at Colorado. The 26-year-old Citadel product has given up five homers in his last three turns after failing to surrender any in his first four starts. Brian Dozier (3-for-7, one homer) and Mauer (2-for-4, one homer) have caused trouble for Clevinger, who permitted three runs in 4 1/3 innings against Minnesota in a loss May 15.
Mejia struggled Monday against Seattle while permitting nine runs (eight earned) on nine hits and two walks over 3 2/3 innings after giving up three or fewer tallies in his first seven starts. The 23-year-old Dominican Republic native yielded seven homers in his last six contests and boasts 33 strikeouts in 36 innings overall this season after making one appearance in 2016. Mejia is 1-1 with a 6.56 ERA in five starts at home and allowing a .275 batting average overall.
WALK-OFFS
1. Minnesota INF Eduardo Escobar sat out Friday’s game after going 10-for-14 over his last three contests.
2. Cleveland OF Brandon Guyer (wrist) began a rehab assignment Friday at Triple-A Columbus.
3. Dozier has hit safely in 10 of his last 11 games with three homers and seven RBIs in that span.