CLEVELAND - Josh Tomlin, making his first major league start in almost two years, pitched into the seventh inning and Cleveland made four runs scored in the first two innings stand up as the Indians beat the Minnesota Twins 4-2 Tuesday night at Progressive Field.
Tomlin was making his first major league start since July 27, 2012. He missed most of the 2013 season while rehabbing from Tommy John surgery. In five starts at Triple-A Columbus this year he was 2-1 with a 2.06 ERA. He was recalled to replace right-hander Carlos Carrasco, who lost his spot in the rotation after going 0-3 with a 6.95 ERA in four starts.
Tomlin pitched 20 consecutive scoreless innings at Columbus prior to his recall, and he extended that 26 consecutive scoreless innings by holding the Twins scoreless on two hits through the first six innings.
With the Indians leading 4-0, Tomlin gave up a solo home run to first baseman Chris Colabello in the seventh inning to cut the Cleveland lead to 4-1. Left-hander Marc Rzepczynski relieved Tomlin and finished the seventh inning.
In 6 2/3 innings, Tomlin gave up one run on four hits with four strikeouts and one walk. Right-hander Bryan Shaw pitched the ninth to pick up his first save. Closer John Axford was unavailable after having pitched three days in a row. Minnesota scored its second run on an RBI double by Eduardo Escobar.
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Right-hander Samuel Deduno (0-2) took the loss for the Twins. Deduno pitched five innings, giving up four runs, three earned, on six hits with two walks and two strikeouts.
The Indians took a 2-0 lead in the first inning off right-hander Samuel Deduno. With one out, first baseman Nick Swisher doubled and scored on a single by left fielder Michael Brantley. Later in the inning, Brantley scored on a fielding error by Colabello.
Cleveland doubled the margin in the second inning. Designated hitter Lonnie Chisenhall singled and went to second on a balk. Catcher Yan Gomes belted a double to center field, scoring Chisenhall, and Gomes later scored on Swisher’s two-out single.
Notes: C George Kottaras, who on Sunday became the first player in Indians history to hit home runs in his first two plate appearances with the team, was designated for assignment Tuesday. The move made room on the roster for RHP Josh Tomlin, who was recalled from Triple-A Columbus to start the game against the Twins. ... Cleveland CF Michael Bourn missed his third consecutive game due to left hamstring tightness. He said he expects to be able to play in the next two or three days. ... Twins 1B Joe Mauer continues to be sidelined because of lower back spasms. He remains day-to-day.
