The Indians got a strong outing from Ubaldo Jimenez , but poor execution at the plate, on the bases and by the bullpen gave the Minnesota Twins a 5-1 victory at Progressive Field on Friday night.
The Twins used six doubles to back starter Samuel Deduno (8-7, 3.69), who settled in to dominate Tribe hitters after a rocky first inning. Deduno worked six innings, allowing just three hits and one run on his way to his eighth victory of the season. The Indians, meanwhile, hit poorly, squandered chances and ran themselves out of opportunities all evening long.
Jimenez got into trouble but worked himself out of it in the top of the first inning. Brian Dozier led off the ballgame with a walk and was immediately pushed to third on a double by Chris Herrmann. Jimenez then walked Justin Morneau to load the bases, but then went to work with his strikeout pitch. The former Colorado Rockie got out of his own jam by striking out the next three Twins in order; Josh Willingham, Ryan Doumit and Trevor Plouffe were the victims. The Tribe then came up and were able to capitalize with a rally of their own in the bottom half.
Michael Bourn got the offense started by lining a sharp single into right field to lead off the ballgame for the Tribe. After Nick Swisher and Jason Kipnis failed to reach, Bourn then moved to second on a wild pitch from Deduno. With a runner gift wrapped in scoring position, Carlos Santana came through with a single through the right side to bring Bourn home and gave the Indians an early 1-0 cushion.
Cleveland’s lead did not last long, however. The Twins were able to “double” the Indians output in the top of the second, scoring twice on three two-baggers in the inning. After Clete Thomas doubled to start the frame, doubles by Pedro Florimon and Herrmann eventually gave the Twins a 2-1 lead. Despite the doubles, Jimenez was able to strike out the side in the inning.
Both pitchers really zoned in from there, with Jimenez fanning a season best 10 batters. Deduno was just as good, holding the Indians to just the one run for the rest of his evening. It wasn’t for lack of chances that the Indians were unable to score, however. The Tribe blew an opportunity in the fourth inning with an Asdrubal Cabrera double play and then did not capitalize on a huge opportunity in the bottom of the sixth when the home team had runners at first and second with nobody out. The Tribe used a failed bunt attempt and a key strikeout by Kipnis and then a caught stealing of third by Bourn to thwart their own rally. Having blown a chance to tie or even take the lead, the Tribe bullpen made it sting even more and put the game out of reach in the top of the seventh.
Bryan Shaw came in in relief of Jimenez and gave up a bunt single and a walk to the only two batters he faced. Rich Hill was then brought in to face Herrmann but Santana was able to pick a napping Florimon off of second base for the first out. Hill then forced a groundout by Herrmann and intentionally walked Morneau to put runners at the corners. Cody Allen then came in to face Willingham, but he allowed the Indian-killer to double into the right-centerfield gap to make the Minnesota advantage grow to 4-1. The Twins then added their fifth run in the top of the eighth off of relief pitcher Matt Albers.
Bright spots in defeat for the Indians included Jimenez as well as Santana. For the game, Jimenez worked six innings, allowing just two runs on five hits to go along with his 10 K’s. Santana had two of the Indians six base hits, a walk and the team’s only RBI.
The Tribe will try to even the series Saturday night in a 7:05 contest at Progressive Field. Zach McAllister (6-7, 3.59) will get the ball for the Indians, while Minnesota will throw Liam Hendriks (0-1, 3.94). The first 10,000 fans through the gates will receive a Swisher jersey giveaway and all fans will be treated to a fireworks show after the ballgame. The game can also be seen on Fox Sports/SportsTime Ohio and can be heard on the Cleveland Indians radio network.
Photo: David Maxwell/Getty Images
