Twins 7, Indians 5
Danny Valencia singled in the go-ahead run in the eighth inning and Tsuyoshi Nishioka added two RBIs as the Minnesota Twins overcame some problems in the field to secure a 7-5 victory over the visiting Cleveland Indians on Wednesday afternoon.
Joe Mauer added two hits and Alexi Casilla went 3-for-4 for the Twins, who split the four-game series to pull back within five games of the Indians in the American League Central.
Minnesota rallied against Tony Sipp (4-2) in the eighth, loading the bases on two hits and a walk. Vinnie Pestano came on in relief and yielded Valencia’s single, pushing across Casilla with the go-ahead score.
Matt Capps (3-5) picked up the win, and Joe Nathan worked the ninth for his sixth save.
Mauer was given the option of whether to catch or play first base in sweltering midday heat and went with first, leaving Drew Butera behind the plate.
Butera had some trouble receiving in the sixth inning, when Nick Blackburn’s sinker glanced off the bottom of his glove and rolled to the backstop. Slow-footed Travis Hafner was able to score on the passed ball, knotting it at 4-4.
Lonnie Chisenhall hit a solo homer in the ninth for Cleveland.