The Minnesota Twins scored two in the top of the ninth to complete a late rally and beat the Cleveland Indians 4-2 Thursday night at Progressive Field in Cleveland.
Minnesota scored two unearned runs in the top of the ninth after Trevor Plouffe reached on an error. Pinch runner Eduardo Nunez scored on a wild pitch to give the Twins the lead. Torii Hunter then hit a sacrifice fly with one out to score Eddie Rosario putting Minnesota up 4-2.
The victory, coupled with the Rangers beating the Angels, moves the Twins within a game of the Houston Astros in the American League wild card race.
GAME:Twins 4, Indians 2. Twins take 3 for 4. Have won 8 of last 11. Clear the runway, they're coming in hot…
— LaVelle E. Neal III (@LaVelleNeal) October 2, 2015
Minnesota scored first in the top of the fourth as Plouffe doubled in Joe Mauer, who also reached on a double.
That stood until the bottom of the seventh when Cleveland’s Roberto Perez smacked a two-run homer to give the hosts a 2-1 lead.
It was the only blemish on another solid start from Tyler Duffey. He pitched 6 1/3 innings, and held Cleveland to two runs on six hits.
But Duffey didn’t factor in the decision, as the Twins evened up the score in the eighth. Danny Santana walked and came around to score on Eduardo Escobar’s 31st double of the season.
https://twitter.com/ParkerHageman/status/649765577867726849
Twins reliever Glen Perkins (3-5) worked a scoreless eighth for the victory. Kevin Jepsen locked down the ninth for his 15th save.
The Twins return to Target Field to face Kansas City in the final regular season series of the year. Ervin Santana (7-4) starts for the Twins against Royals righty Chris Young.
