Sports Xchange
MINNEAPOLIS -- Trevor Plouffe had three hits and Phil Hughes pitched five scoreless innings as the Minnesota Twins toppled the Cleveland Indians by a 4-2 final Wednesday.
Minnesota’s win, coupled with a loss by Houston earlier in the day, means the Twins are now just one game back of the second wild card spot in the American League.
The Twins did all of their damage in the fourth inning against reigning American League Cy Young award winner Corey Kluber. Minnesota tagged Kluber for four runs in the inning as Kluber lasted just 3 2/3 innings, his shortest start of the season.
Brian Dozier’s solo homer to right started the scoring for Minnesota. Joe Mauer followed Dozier’s home with a double, which marked the 42nd straight game Mauer has reached base -- tied for the Twins franchise record.
Plouffe’s three hits, including two doubles, gives him 135 hits on the season, a new career high. He had 134 hits in 136 games in 2014.
Kluber cruised through three innings before struggling in the fourth. The Twins’ biggest hit was Eduardo Escobar’s two-out single to right off Kluber that effectively ended the right-hander’s night and put Minnesota up 4-0. Kluber (8-15) allowed four runs on five hits but did strike out six in the loss.
Hughes earned his first win since July 30. It was just his second start since he came off the disabled list earlier this month. He scattered four hits and struck out four. On a pitch count, he needed 66 pitches to get through five innings.
Cleveland didn’t score until two outs in the ninth inning. Carlos Santana followed Francisco Lindor’s double with a two-run homer to left off Twins closer Glen Perkins. Perkins was ejected after the game ended for arguing with home plate umpire Dan Bellino.
Dozier’s homer was his 75th career home run but his first to right field. He took a 2-1 offering and planted it just above the wall in right.
Mauer now has reached base safely in 42 straight games, tying Bob Allison (1961) the longest streak in franchise history. Mauer’s streak is the third longest in the majors this season.
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NOTES: Indians OF Michael Brantley was not in the lineup on Wednesday, one day after injuring his right shoulder while diving for a ball in left field. Cleveland manager Terry Francona said the plan is to have Brantley work with team trainers on Wednesday and see how he feels. ... Cleveland promoted RHP C.C. Lee and INF Jesus Aguilar as September call-ups before Wednesday’s game. The Indians also purchased the contract of C Adam Moore and designated OF Tyler Holt for assignment to make room on the roster for Moore. ... Twins RHP Ricky Nolasco returned to Minnesota on Wednesday after rehabbing his ankle in Florida. Manager Paul Molitor said there’s a chance Nolasco could be activated from the 60-day disabled list on the Twins’ upcoming road trip. ... Minnesota and Cleveland conclude the three-game series Thursday night at Target Field. Right-hander Cody Anderson (4-3, 3.68 ERA) gets the start for the Indians against Twins RHP Kyle Gibson (10-10, 3.73 ERA).
