(Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNESOTA, MN -- Twins' starter Michael Pineda was as strong as ever in his first start of the season, as he shut down the Indians' lineup. Carlos Carrasco got the nod for the tribe, and the Twins jumped on him early. Byron Buxton gave the Twins a 3-0 lead in the fourth inning on a 2-run double. In the following inning, Nelson Cruz smashed a 2-run homerun off of the second deck, which ended Carrasco's night. Jonathan Schoop added an RBI double, followed by a sac-fly to give Minnesota an 8-0 lead.
Carlos Santana was the lone shining light in the tribe lineup on Sunday afternoon, as he went 4-4, including a bases clearing 3-run double. The Indians struck out 13 times on Sunday, and 39 times in the 3-game series. While the Twins pitching was stellar, the tribe batting was poor. Not only did the Indians strikeout 39 times, they were also only able to muster 12 total hits in the opening series versus Minnesota.
The Cleveland Indians will head back to Cleveland for the first home series of the season, and will be taking on the Chicago White Sox. Mike Clevinger will get the ball for the home opener on Monday and will face off against White Sox starter Ivan Nova. First pitch is set for 4:10 PM ET at beautiful Progressive Field.