Twins slip past Cleveland

CLEVELAND - It was hardly an offensive explosion, but it was enough for the Minnesota Twins to win a game. The Twins only scored in one of the nine innings, but still beat the Cleveland Indians 4-3 on Tuesday night at Progressive Field.
The win snapped the Twins’ four-game losing streak, while ruining Cleveland’s attempt to gain some ground in the race for the two wild-card spots in the American League.
“We’re trying to do our job, not play a spoiler role. We owe it to the rest of the league to play Grade-A baseball against these teams that are in a pennant race,” said Minnesota manager Ron Gardenhire.
The Twins were held scoreless in eight innings, but scored four runs on four hits in the fourth inning. That was enough to beat the slumping Indians, who have lost their last two games and have scored three or fewer runs in each of their last five games.
Oswaldo Arcia belted a two-run home run, capping Minnesota’s four-run fourth inning off right-hander Trevor Bauer (5-8), who pitched eight innings and combined with four relievers on a five-hitter, but still took the loss. Arcia has three home runs in eight career at bats against Bauer.
“They scored enough runs to win. I didn’t do my job,” Bauer said.
Twins rookie right-hander Trevor May (2-4) pitched five innings, giving up two runs on five hits, to get the win.
“It’s all about keeping your team in the game and giving the guys a chance to win. I really struggled at times, but I kept fighting,” said May.
Jared Burton pitched the ninth and picked up his second save.
The Indians had a chance to score in the seventh inning when singles by Michael Bourn and Jose Ramirez put runners at first and second with two outs. But left-hander Brian Duensing retired Cleveland’s best hitter Michael Brantley on a fly ball to end the inning.
Trailing 4-2, the Indians cut the Minnesota lead to 4-3 with a run in the eighth inning. Carlos Santana hit a double off the left-field wall off Duensing. Duensing retired the next two hitters, then gave way to right-hander Casey Fien.
Yan Gomes greeted Fien with a single to center to make it 4-3. With Gomes at first, pinch hitter Jason Giambi flied out to left field to end the inning.