Twins 4, Indians 1
MINNEAPOLIS -- Minnesota Twins left-hander Tommy Milone picked up his first victory in more than a month as the Twins topped the Cleveland Indians 4-1 on Sunday to win the three-game series.
Catcher Kurt Suzuki drove in a pair of runs and Minnesota tacked onto its lead in the eighth inning. Twins closer Glen Perkins pitched a scoreless ninth inning for his league-leading 31st save of the season.
Minnesota (59-58) climbed back above .500 with the win, while the Indians fell to 54-62.
Cleveland got on the board first by manufacturing a run in the second inning. Designated hitter Ryan Rabun, making his return from the disabled list, led off the inning with a double to the left-field corner. He moved to third base on third baseman Giovanny Urshela's sacrifice bunt and eventually scored on a sacrifice fly by center fielder Abraham Almonte.
The Twins responded in the bottom of the inning with a pair of runs to take a 2-1 lead. Suzuki capitalized with a two-out, two-run single off Indians right-hander Carlos Carrasco to score third baseman Miguel Sano from third and shortstop Eduardo Nunez from second.
The Indians threatened in the fifth inning when shortstop Francisco Lindor drew a walk to load the bases with two outs. But Milone struck out catcher Yan Gomes to end the fifth.
Sunday was Milone's first start since July 31. He missed the last two weeks with a mild left forearm strain. The Twins activated Milone from the 15-day disabled list after Saturday's 4-1 win, in time for Sunday's start.
Carrasco went seven innings in a losing effort. He struck out seven batters, walked three and allowed two runs on six hits. It's Carrasco's first loss since July 25, and the first time in his last four starts that he failed to pitch at least eight innings.
Twins third baseman Trevor Plouffe tacked on an insurance run in the eighth inning with a solo home run to left field. Plouffe's 17th homer of the year came against Indians reliever Zach McAllister with one out in the inning.
Minnesota scored once more in the eighth when Nunez's bunt single drove in right fielder Eddie Rosario from third base. Rosario tripled earlier in the inning.
Cleveland is now 1-52 this year when trailing after seven innings.
NOTES: Indians manager Terry Francona said OF Michael Brantley (shoulder) was scheduled to hit in the cage before Sunday's game and might be available to pinch hit. ... Cleveland 2B Jason Kipnis (shoulder) is getting closer to returning from the 15-day disabled list, but Francona said Kipnis still isn't ready to play second base. The Indians' medical staff wants to make sure Kipnis can make throws to the bases before he is activated. ... Twins 1B/DH Kennys Vargas was named the club's minor league player of the week. Vargas hit .391 (9-for-23) with two doubles, a homer and eight RBIs in eight games for Triple-A Rochester. ... Minnesota begins a 10-game, 11-day road trip Monday with a three-game series in New York against the Yankees before heading to Baltimore and Tampa Bay. ... Cleveland continues its road trip Monday with a three-game series in Boston and then plays the Yankees in New York for a four-game set.