Any doubt about the Twins being the team to beat in the AL Central was erased in three days as the Twins took two of three games in Cleveland, and despite falling 4-3 in Sunday’s game they increased their lead in the AL Central to 6.5 games over the Indians.
Minnesota trailed 3-0 entering the seventh inning before tying the game with a series of clutch hits before leaving the bases full to end the inning.
- Marwin Gonzalez RBI single, 3-1 Indians lead
- Jake Cave hit-by-pitch with bases loaded, 3-2 Indians lead
- Max Kepler bases-loaded single, 3-3 tie game
The tie game didn’t last long as Twins right-hander Trevor May entered the game in the eighth and quickly served up the go-ahead solo homer to All-Star Carlos Santana.
May’s numbers overall – 3.12 ERA, 1.25 WHIP – are solid, but his performance late in a tie game is the latest reason why there’s pressure on the Twins to add bullpen help before the July 31 trade deadline.
Minnesota entered the series with a 5.5 game lead over the second-place Indians. A clean sweep would’ve boosted their lead in the division to 8.5 games, but leaving with a 6.5-game cushion is still a big move in the right direction.
With the loss, the Twins fall to 58-34 on the season and return to Target Field for a two-game series against the Mets, which is the start of nine consecutive games at home.
