Indians 6, Twins 3
MINNEAPOLIS -- Cleveland pitcher Cody Anderson pitched 6 2/3 innings of one-run ball and got plenty of early run support as the Indians defeated the Minnesota Twins 6-3 Thursday at Target Field.
By salvaging the final game of a three-game series, Cleveland moved within 2 1/2 games of Minnesota in the American League wild-card standings and within four games of the idle Houston Astros for the second wild-card spot.
Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor had three hits. Designated hitter Carlos Santana hit a three-run home run, and second baseman Jason Kipnis hit a solo shot.
Anderson (6-3) scattered 10 hits but walked none and struck out four. After Indians reliever Bryan Shaw gave up two runs in 1 1/3 innings, closer Cody Allen threw a perfect ninth inning for his 32nd save.
Right fielder Torii Hunter hit a solo homer and left fielder Eddie Rosario had a two-run blast to pace the Twins, who had won three in a row. Minnesota, which finished its 10-game homestand at 4-6, is 1 1/2 games behind the Astros.
Cleveland hammered Twins starter Kyle Gibson, knocking the right-hander from the game before he could get through three innings.
Kipnis got things going early, hitting the third pitch of the game over the wall in left field for his ninth homer of the season and fourth leadoff shot.
A walk by third baseman Jose Ramirez and a single by shortstop Jose Lindor got two more runners on, and both moved into scoring position on a comebacker to the mound that bounced off Gibson's leg.
With two outs in the inning, right fielder Lonnie Chisenhall dribbled a single through the hole between first and second, scoring both Ramirez and Lindor for a 3-0 lead after a half-inning.
Gibson (10-11) breezed through a 1-2-3 second inning but didn't survive the third, allowing a leadoff double to Ramirez and a single by Lindor before the big blowm a three-run blast by Santana that gave Cleveland a six-run lead.
Catcher Yan Gomes followed with a single before a two-out walk to center fielder Abraham Almonte ended Gibson's night. He was charged with all six runs in 2 2/3 innings. Gibson walked two with struck out five.
The start was the shortest of the season for Gibson, who went 3 2/3 innings in his first start of the season on April 9. It was just the third time in 31 starts this season that he did not last at least five innings.
NOTES: Indians LF Michael Brantley missed his second game in a row with a right shoulder injury. He is day-to-day. ... The Twins started the same lineup for the third consecutive game. It was the first time this season they did that. ... Twins LHP Tommy Milone threw 12 pitches in a bullpen session and did not experience a setback. He will throw again in a day or two, according to general manager Terry Ryan, and could return by the end of the season. Milone has missed one start with fatigue in his throwing shoulder. ... The Indians continue their road trip Friday when they open a three-game series against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium. ... The Twins hit the road for their final trip of the season beginning Friday against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park.