(Photo by Ron Schwane/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH -- The Cleveland Indians made Twins' starter Kyle Gibson work, as they forced him out of the ballgame in the 4th inning of a 1-1 game. Trevor May came out of the bullpen and shut the tribe down, getting all four batters that he faced out. The Minnesota bullpen provided 4 1/3rd innings of shutout relief, which in turn kept the Twins in the game. Nick Goody committed an error on a comeback chopper in the 7th inning, and the Twins made him pay, lighting up the Indians for 3 runs. The Twins tacked on another run in the 8th inning, cruising to a 5-3 victory in game one of a three-game series.
The Minnesota Twins lead the majors in both runs scored and home runs, and they continued to pour it on tonight. Nelson Cruz and Mitch Garver both went yard, and the Twins now lead the majors with 168 home runs.
Mike Clevinger gave up a solo shot to Nelson Cruz in the first inning and locked in immediately after. Clevinger appeared to be in trouble in the fifth inning with two runners on, before striking out back-to-back batters to get out of the inning unscathed. The Twins' bats heated up after Clevinger was taken out, lighting up the tribe bullpen for four runs.
After tonight's game the Minnesota Twins move to 6.5 games ahead of the Cleveland Indians in the American League Central Division. Trevor Bauer will take the ball for the home town tribe tomorrow evening, facing off against Twins' right hander Jake Odorizzi. First pitch is set for 7:10 pm ET at Progressive Field in Cleveland, Ohio.