Three Tuesday: Twins score three in the third to beat the Indians

The number three was the theme of the night for the Minnesota Twins. The Twins started play three games back of the Houston Astros for the second Wild Card spot in the American League, (The Angels were beating the Astros when this article was published).

The Twins used a three-run third inning to beat the Cleveland Indians, 3-1 behind a solid pitching performance from Ervin Santana.

Eduardo Escobar started the third inning rally with a two-out walk. The Twins 1-2-3 hitters promptly followed with three straight extra base hits.

Following Escobar’s walk, Aaron Hicks hit a three-run triple to get the Twins on the board. Brian Dozier followed with his 37th double of the season to give the Twins a 2-0 lead.

Joe Mauer extended his streak of reaching base to 41 games with an RBI double to score Dozier. The Twins first baseman is now hitting .356 with runners in scoring position.

Santana picked up his fifth straight quality start. He pitched seven innings and gave up one earned run on five hits and seven strikeouts.

The Twins will look to make it three straight tomorrow when they send Phil Hughes to the mound to take on 2014 AL Cy Young award winner, Corey Kluber.

More from Puckett's Pond

Home/Minnesota Twins News