Indians Power Past Twins 7-2

One night after a discouraging loss, the Indians came roaring back on Saturday night to power their way past the visiting Twins, 7-2. Carlos Santana and Jason Kipnis homered, Nick Swisher delivered a two run double, and Zach McAllister was stupendous in 7.1 innings of work. On a night of celebration, the Indians were definitely the life of the party.

for the fifth time in his last six starts, Zach McAllister was near dominant. Over the course of 7.1 innings of work he allowed only two runs to cross the plate on four hits and two walks. He also struck out 5 Twins batters on the evening. With the win, McAllister moved his record to an even 7-7 on the season and also lowered his ERA to 3.51.

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As for the Twins starter, Liam Hendriks, the night was not nearly as fun. He lasted only 4.1 innings and was roughed up by  Tribe offense that was just dying to break out. Mission accomplished and then some. Hendriks allowed seven runs on seven hits and didn’t strikeout any one. Perhaps the biggest issue on the night for Hendriks was the two out home run, a weapon the Indians utilized to perfection on Saturday.

WIth two outs in the bottom of the first, Carlos Santana stepped to the plate with Jason Kipnis on first. With the count at 1-1, Santana drilled a 90-mph fastball out over the plate to deep right center. The two run shot put the Indians up 2-0 and set the tone for the night to follow.

Two innings later, Jason Kipnis would duplicate Santana’s feat. With Drew Stubbs on third and two out, Kipnis lined a low curve ball into the Twins bullpen in right field. The two run dinger made it a 4-1 game following a sacrifice fly from Twins second baseman Brian Dozier.

The Indians would strike for a third time two innings later. With Stubbs on second and Michael Bourn on first, Nick Swisher dropped a double in between Clete Thomas and Ryan Doumit in right center. Stubbs scored easily and Bourn raced around the base paths following close behind and beating the throw to the plate. It was as exciting a play as you will ever see and put the Indians up 6-1. Swisher would scored two batters later when Michael Brantley singled to left. When it was all said and done the Indians led 7-1.

The Twins would add a second run in the top of the eighth when Brian Dozier homered to left field. It was the only real resemblance of offense the Twins would have. McAllister was just that good on the night as the Twins were unable to put together anything even resembling a rally. Bryan Shaw and Marc Rzepczynski would close things out over the final inning and a third.

With the win, the Indians improved their record to 70-59. They trail the Tigers by six games in the central and five games back of a wild card spot in the American League playoff picture. The Indians and Twins will finish their three game series tomorrow afternoon when Scott Kazmir takes the mound against Mike Pelfrey. First pitch is scheduled for 1:05.

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