Kipnis, Santana Homer To Help Indians Beat Twins 6-3
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Jason Kipnis hit a leadoff homer, Carlos Santana connected for a three-run shot and the Cleveland Indians helped their slim playoff chances by beating the Minnesota Twins 6-3 Thursday night.
Francisco Lindor had three hits for Cleveland, which is four games behind Houston in the race for the second AL wild card with 11 to play. But the Twins, Angels and Orioles are between the Indians and Astros in the standings.
The Twins and Angels are 1 1/2 games behind Houston. Baltimore is 3 1/2 back.
Torii Hunter and Eddie Rosario homered for Minnesota, which finished a 4-6 homestand.
In earning his fourth straight win, Cody Anderson (5-3) allowed 10 hits but only one earned run. Since coming off the disabled list from a left oblique strain on Aug. 26, the rookie right-hander has held all six opponents to two or fewer runs.
Cody Allen pitched a perfect ninth for his 32nd save in 36 chances.
Kyle Gibson (10-11) threw 64 pitches in 2 2-3 innings for Minnesota, his shortest start since July 4, 2014. He allowed seven hits and six earned runs, but struck out five.
Kipnis hit an opposite-field homer on Gibson's third pitch — his fourth leadoff home run of the season — and Lonnie Chisenhall added a two-run single for a quick 3-0 Cleveland lead.
Minnesota had two on and nobody out in the bottom of the first, but couldn't score. Center fielder Abraham Almonte threw out Aaron Hicks at the plate for the second out.
Santana hit a three-run shot in the third to make it 6-0 after Jose Ramirez doubled and Lindor singled to start the inning.
Anderson retired 13 of 14 Twins before Kurt Suzuki and Eduardo Escobar had back-to-back singles with two outs in the fifth. Hicks flied out to end the inning.
Hunter homered in the seventh and Rosario hit a two-run drive in the eighth.
MAUER'S MILESTONE
Twins first baseman Joe Mauer was 0 for 3 but walked in the eighth to establish a franchise record by reaching base safely in 43 straight games, surpassing the mark set by Bob Allison in 1961. It's the third-longest streak in the majors this season behind Matt Holliday of St. Louis (45) and Toronto's Edwin Encarnacion (44).
TRAINER'S ROOM
Indians: LF Michael Brantley missed his second straight game after jamming his right shoulder trying to make a play Tuesday. He did hit in the batting cage, though. "He's getting closer," said manager Terry Francona, adding it might be "pushing it" for Brantley to play Friday.
Twins: Manager Paul Molitor said it might take "some unusual circumstances" to get RHP Ricky Nolasco into a game. Nolasco last pitched May 31 and had surgery on his right ankle July 13. He could be activated from the 60-day disabled list as soon as Friday. . Molitor doesn't think LHP Tommy Milone, who missed a start earlier this week with shoulder fatigue, is "imminently ready to return."
UP NEXT
Indians: Cleveland opens a three-game series Friday in Kansas City with Carlos Carrasco (13-11, 3.62 ERA) scheduled to pitch against Edinson Volquez (13-8, 3.62). In 14 road starts, Carrasco has allowed an AL-low .191 batting average.
Twins: Mike Pelfrey (6-10, 4.16) starts Friday when Minnesota begins a seven-game road trip in Detroit. Pelfrey, who is 1-2 with a 4.19 ERA in three starts against the Tigers this season, faces Matt Boyd (1-3, 6.21).
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