Sands, Almonte Lead Indians' 17-4 Rout Of Twins
CLEVELAND (AP) — Jerry Sands had a pinch-hit grand slam and Abraham Almonte, called up from the minors before the game, was 4 for 5 with a two-run homer, leading the Cleveland Indians to a 17-4 victory over the Minnesota Twins on Saturday night.
Trevor Bauer (9-8) won for the first time since July 8, allowing four runs in 6 1-3 innings. He gave up solo homers to Joe Mauer and Eddie Rosario and a two-run homer to Kurt Suzuki.
The Indians recorded season-highs in runs and hits (19), forcing Twins manager Paul Molitor to use outfielder Shane Robinson to pitch in the eighth. Robinson walked Mike Aviles with the bases loaded, but retired the next three hitters.
Sands, batting for Lonnie Chisenhall in the fifth, homered to right off Blaine Boyer. Three consecutive walks by Ryan O'Rourke loaded the bases before Sands broke an 0-for-11 slump with his second career grand slam.
Almonte, acquired from San Diego for pitcher Marc Rzepczynski on July 31, was called up from Triple-A Columbus and started in center field. He doubled in each of his first two at-bats then singled in the sixth and homered in the eighth.
Jose Ramirez, replacing the injured Jason Kipnis at second base, was 3 for 5 with a career-high three RBIs for the Indians.
Ervin Santana (2-3) allowed eight runs in 2 1-3 innings.
A fire in a building behind the ballpark's garage broke out about 45 minutes before the game started, sending clouds of black smoke billowing into the sky. The fire was under control about 30 minutes later and the game began on time.
Mauer homered in the first, but Brantley and Chisenhall had RBI singles in the bottom of the inning to begin Cleveland's onslaught.
Santana fell to 1-7 in 10 career starts at Progressive Field with the only win a no-hitter while pitching for the Angels on July 27, 2011.
Suzuki hit a two-run homer in the fourth while Rosario had a solo homer in the sixth.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Twins: OF Byron Buxton (left thumb sprain) was 3 for 5 in the first game of his minor league rehab assignment with Triple-A Rochester on Friday.
Indians: RHP Cody Anderson was placed on the 15-day DL with a strained left oblique. The rookie was 2-1 with a 0.89 ERA in his first four career starts, but went 0-2 with a 10.19 ERA in his last four.
UP NEXT
Twins: RHP Phil Hughes has surrendered an AL-high 27 homers in 22 starts. He leads the league in hits allowed with 163 and issues the fewest walks per nine innings at 0.9.
Indians: RHP Corey Kluber seeks his third straight win over Minnesota. The reigning AL Cy Young Award winner is 4-2 in 11 career appearances against the Twins.
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