Milone and Plouffe Lift Twins Over Indians in 4-2 Win
Needing to win to keep pace with the Houston Astros, the Minnesota Twins beat the Cleveland Indians 4-2. It is their 81 win of the season.
Tommy Milone made the start for the Twins after Phil Hughes was scratched due to an illness. Milone pitched 5 2/3 innings, striking out four batters with no walks. He allowed four hits, one of them being Francisco Lindor’s first inning home run. Casey Fien and Glen Perkins had high leverage strikeouts in the late innings out of the bullpen. Kevin Jepsen got the save in the ninth inning to wrap up the victory.
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Coming into the game, the Twins have collected 25 home runs in the first inning this season. It is the most of any inning. They have a OBP of .330 and a SLG of .458, also the best of any inning. Tonight, against Corey Kluber, the Twins kept up their first inning success. Joe Mauer doubled and Miguel Sano doubled to drive Mauer in. Trevor Plouffe followed up by hitting a deep home run to left center field. Just like that, the Twins had a three run lead. In the fourth inning, Brian Dozier added a run by driving Eddie Rosario home on a line drive sacrifice fly to center field.
Torii Hunter doubled for his only hit tonight. He is now only three doubles away from 500 on his career. Rosario, celebrating his 24 birthday, went 3-for-4 with a double and a run scored.
The Astros and the Angels have late west coast games tonight for those scoreboard watching.
Tomorrow is a rematch from last Thursday. Kyle Gibson will face Cody Anderson. Gibson will be going for his 11 win of the year.