Byrd, Indians Rally Past Twins In 8th For 7-6 Victory
CLEVELAND (AP) — The Twins' road woes continued on Friday night. So did the longest active losing streak in the majors.
Marlon Byrd delivered a go-ahead, two-run double off Trevor May in the eighth inning, powering the Cleveland Indians to a 7-6 win over Minnesota.
The Twins had taken a 5-4 lead in the top of the frame on a solo homer by Eduardo Nunez, but lost their eighth straight game and fell to a major league-worst 2-16 on the road. They have only won once in their last 13 overall contests.
"It was an interesting game and there was a lot of drama at the end, but it was the same result," Minnesota manager Paul Molitor said. "Even in a 13-run game, the little things do matter, which is what we always teach the guys.
"Just one play here or one decision there could be the difference. There were a number of those tonight."
Designated hitter Byung Ho Park homered twice and drove in three runs for the Twins, who share the worst record in baseball with Atlanta at 8-26. The South Korean leads American League rookies with nine homers after hitting a pair off Indians right-hander Josh Tomlin.
"I wasn't looking for certain pitches, they were kind of poorly located," Park said.
Miguel Sano also went deep off Tomlin as Minnesota hit a season-high four home runs. Nunez had two hits and drove in three runs.
Twins starter Ricky Nolasco gave up four runs in six innings, including two homers. The righty struck out three and only allowed four hits, but remained winless against Cleveland in seven career outings.
"We're beyond frustrated. Everybody in this room is, but no one is going to feel sorry for us," Nolasco said. "We're all working as hard as we can, which is all you can ask for, but we've got to get some results pretty soon."
Nunez belted a leadoff homer in the eighth off Indians reliever Bryan Shaw, who subsequently loaded the bases with one out. Zach McAllister (2-1) entered and struck out Oswaldo Arcia and Kurt Suzuki to keep Minnesota's lead at one run.
In the bottom of the inning, May (0-2) surrendered three runs on three hits, including Byrd's one-out double over the head of center fielder Danny Santana. Juan Uribe singled home an insurance run to give Cleveland a 7-5 advantage.
The Twins scored once in the ninth on an RBI single by Nunez off Indians closer Cody Allen. Nunez advanced to third on a wild pitch, but was stranded there when Park struck out to end the game.
PREMATURE PANIC
Twins RHP Kevin Jepsen has converted only two of five save opportunities, last finishing a win on April 16. Molitor is concerned about his 2-4 record and 5.40 ERA, but doesn't plan on changing closers. "When your results are as his have been, they get your attention," Molitor said. "But I would like to get him into a save situation here to see how he handles it."
TRAINER'S ROOM
Twins: LHP Glen Perkins (left shoulder strain) and RHP Kyle Gibson (right shoulder strain) remain on the 15-day disabled list. Perkins has not pitched in a game since April 10.
Indians: RHP Carlos Carrasco (left hamstring strain) threw a side session before the game and will toss another Monday. He was injured during his last start on April 24 in Detroit.
UP NEXT
Twins: RHP Ervin Santana makes his second start since returning from a lower back strain. He allowed three runs in 3 1/3 innings in a 7-2 loss to the White Sox on May 7.
Indians: RHP Corey Kluber equaled the second-shortest start of his career in his last outing. He lasted 2 2/3 innings, giving up five runs, in a 7-1 loss at Houston on May 9.
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