Robbie Grossman singled home the tying and go-ahead runs in the seventh inning as the visiting Minnesota Twins edged the Cleveland Indians 4-3 on Wednesday night at Progressive Field.
The Twins trailed 3-2 going into the seventh, and Indians reliever Cody Allen (4-6) retired the first two batters before two walks and a single loaded the bases. Grossman then ripped a line drive to right field to drive in two runs.
It was the Twins' first lead of the game after they fell behind 2-0 early and pulled even with single runs in the third and fifth innings. However, Indians designated hitter Edwin Encarnacion gave Cleveland the lead right back, 3-2, in the bottom of the fifth with an RBI double off Twins starter Kohl Stewart.
Minnesota right-hander Trevor May (3-0), who relieved Stewart in the fifth and kept the Indians from expanding their lead, got the win, giving up a hit and a walk in 1 2/3 scoreless innings.
Left-hander Taylor Rogers gave up just one hit in two scoreless innings, and right-hander Trevor Hildenberger worked a perfect ninth for his fifth save.
Stewart went the first 4 2/3 innings, allowing three runs on six hits and two walks while striking out two.
Indians starter Adam Plutko went 5 1/3 innings, giving up two runs on five hits. He walked two and struck out five.
Given the early lead, Plutko allowed the first career homer for Twins catcher Willians Astudillo in the third inning, a line shot to left field, and doubles by Joe Mauer and Eddie Rosario in the fifth to tie the game at 2-2.
The Indians grabbed the lead when Francisco Lindor led off the first with a single, then stole second with one out. With two outs, Encarnacion walked. Yonder Alonso hit a hard single to center that scored Lindor, and Encarnacion took third when center fielder Jake Cave bobbled the ball. Melky Cabrera followed with an RBI single to left.
Lindor's run raised his major-league-leading total to 109.
The Indians, runaway leaders in the American League Central over the second-place Twins, had a two-game winning streak snapped, and they have lost five of seven games. Minnesota snapped a four-game losing streak.
--Field Level Media
Minnesota | Cleveland | |
Kohl Stewart | Player | Adam Plutko |
No Decision | W/L | No Decision |
4.2 | IP | 5.1 |
2 | Strikeouts | 5 |
6 | Hits | 5 |
5.79 | ERA | 3.38 |
Minnesota | Cleveland | |
Eddie Rosario | Player | Melky Cabrera |
3 | Hits | 2 |
1 | RBI | 1 |
0 | HR | 0 |
4 | TB | 2 |
.600 | Avg | .500 |