Twins 3, Indians 2
Joe Mauer singled in the go-ahead run in the eighth inning as host Minnesota edged Cleveland to open the second half of the season.
With the game tied at 2-2, Mauer came up with two outs and Pedro Florimon on third and lined a 2-2 slider from Joe Smith (4-1) into center field. Trevor Plouffe added a two-run single and Casey Fien (2-2) earned the win with a scoreless inning of relief before Glen Perkins picked up his 22nd save with a flawless ninth.
Michael Bourn doubled in a pair of runs for the Indians, who remained 1 1/2 games behind the first-place Detroit Tigers in the American League Central.
Cleveland handed Scott Kazmir a 2-0 lead in the third inning when Bourn slapped a 3-2 fastball from Mike Pelfrey into the gap in left-center. Kazmir permitted two unearned runs on two hits in six innings.
Minnesota got back those runs in the sixth. Brian Dozier reached on an error with two outs, putting runners at second and third, before Plouffe dumped a single into shallow right.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Indians RHP Zach McAllister (right middle finger) will throw a bullpen session on Sunday and could return to the rotation on Tuesday against Seattle. … Pelfrey lasted 5 2/3 innings and was charged with two runs on four hits while walking three and striking out five. … The Twins benefited from some strong defense. LF Clete Thomas made a diving catch on a sinking liner in the second inning and Dozier snagged a line drive and doubled off Bourn at second base in the third.