Indians Fall To Twins 5-1

The Cleveland Indians dropped the first game of their weekend series to the Minnesota Twins by a final score of 5-1. The good news for the Indians is that they did not drop a game in the wild card chase as the Baltimore Orioles defeated the Oakland Athletics by a final score of 9-7.

Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

Ubaldo Jimenez (9-8,3.95 ERA) danced around danger in the first two innings allowing 2 runs on 4 doubles but record the first 6 outs via strikeout. He settled down after the first inning and delivered a quality start going 6 innings allowing 2R/ER on 5 hits striking out 10 and walking just 3.

After the Twins jumped out to an early first inning 1-o lead the Indians came back to tie the game on a 2-out RBI single to drive in Michael Brantley from 3rd base.

The Indians entered the bottom of the sixth inning trailing 2-1 but Michael Bourn drew a walk to lead off the inning and after stealing second Nick Swisher walked and occupied first. After Jason Kipnis failed to lay down a bunt he struck out. The inning got worse for the offense as while Carlos Santana was at the plate Michael Bourn got thrown out trying to steal 3rd for the second out. Santana eventually walked but Michael Brantley grounded out to end the inning.

The Twins offense didn’t let the Indians miscue go by the board jumping on the Tribe’s bullpen. Bryan Shaw took over for Ubaldo Jimenez and gave up a single to Pedro Florimon and a walk to Brian Dozier. Rich Hill was summoned from the bullpen and he caught a break when Chris Herrmann failed to make contact on a bunt attempt and Pedro Florimon was caught napping at 2nd base.

With first base open and the count in Justin Morneau‘s favor 3-0 the Indians intentionally walked him and with Josh Willingham due up hard throwing Cody Allen was summoned from the bullpen. Allen was unable to do his job as Willingham delivered a 2-out 2-RBI double to give the Twins a 4-1 lead.

The Twins added a solo run off Matt Albers in the top of the 8th to extend their lead to 5-1.

Samuel Deduno got the win for the Twins and his record improves to 8-7 with a 3.69 ERA. He went 6 innings allowing 1R/ER on 3 hits striking out 6 and walking 4.

The Indians and Twins will play the middle game of their 3-game series today at 7:05. The Indians will send

Zach McAllister

(6-7, 3.59 ERA) to the mound and the Twins will counter with Liam Hendricks (0-1, 3.94 ERA).

Schedule