The Minnesota Twins removed all doubt in this one early today, earlier than it took for the Browns to build a 14-3 lead and then figure out a way to lose, as the Twins used a five-run first inning and rode the strong pitching of Kevin Slowey to take the rubber-game of the three game set in downtown Cleveland, 6-2, maintaining their six-game lead over the White Sox in the Central.
↵Mitch Talbot was the victim of the first three runs in the first before leaving with shoulder inflammation. Justin Masterson pitched very effectively for seven innings in his new role out of the bullpen (to allegedly limit his innings), but was touched for two unearned runs in the opening frame made possible by an error by Luis Valbuena, who semi-redeemed himself later with a two-RBI double. But it was too little and too late as the Tribe dropped their 85th game of the season. The Indians must go at least 12-7 in their remaining games to avoid the distinction of failing to reach 70 wins in consecutive seasons for the first time since the 1920s.
↵A complete wrap-up of the game is available here. The Indians are off tomorrow, then host the Angels for three games beginning Tuesday night.