Crowe's RBI single helps Indians beat Twins 2-1

[August 07, 2009]  CLEVELAND (AP) -- Rookie Trevor Crowe hit a tiebreaking double in the seventh inning, helping the Cleveland Indians beat the Minnesota Twins 2-1 Thursday.

Crowe's slicing line drive into the left-center gap off Nick Blackburn (8-6) scored Travis Hafner from second base as Cleveland won for the ninth time in 13 games. The switch-hitting Crowe has batted .375 (9-for-24) with six runs and four RBIs in six games since his recall from Triple-A Columbus on Friday.

Orlando Cabrera had two hits, extending his hitting streak to a career-high 16 games for Minnesota, which has lost five of six after a four-game winning streak. Cabrera is 10 for 20 since he was acquired from Oakland on Friday.

Tony Sipp (2-0) pitched 1 1-3 innings for the win. Joe Smith retired both batters he faced in the eighth, and Kerry Wood pitched a perfect ninth for his 15th save in 20 chances.

Cleveland failed to add to its lead in the seventh against Matt Guerrier, who replaced Blackburn with runners on second and third. Wyatt Toregas flied to center, and Denard Span threw out Luis Valbuena at the plate for an inning-ending double play.

Blackburn entered 4-0 with a 1.63 ERA in five starts and two relief appearances against Cleveland. He gave up two runs and seven hits over 6 1-3 innings -- in three starts since beating the Chicago White Sox on July 10m he had been 0-1 with a 9.98 ERA, allowing 31 hits in 15 1-3 innings.

Indians starter Fausto Carmona allowed one run and six hits over six innings in his second start since being recalled from the minors July 31. After slumping to a 1-2 record with an 11.57 ERA and 18 walks in 18 2-3 innings, the former 19-game winner was sent to the Indians player development complex in Arizona to work on mechanics.

Michael Cuddyer doubled to open the fourth, stole third, and scored on a wild pitch.

Minnesota put two runners on in the first, second and fifth innings, but Carmona got out of jams. Diving stops by third baseman Jhonny Peralta in the first and shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera in the fifth on sharply hit grounders turned potential run-scoring hits into outs.

Asdrubal Cabrera opened the Indians' fourth with a double, moved to third on a flyout and scored on Peralta's sacrifice fly.

NOTES: Twins LHP Francisco Liriano, tied for the AL lead with 11 losses, returned to Minneapolis to deal with a family matter. Manager Ron Gardenhire said Liriano may miss his next scheduled start, but the Twins are off Monday and could get by with four starters on their next turn through the rotation. ... Twins OF Michael Cuddyer was back in right field. He missed three games with a strained lower back and was the DH on Tuesday. ... Indians LHP Mike Gosling and Winston Abreu, both designated for assignment on Saturday, cleared waivers. Gosling accepted an outright assignment to Triple-A Columbus; Abreu signed with Tampa Bay. ... Kids 14-and-under were given backpacks resembling chest protectors with former Indians All-Star C Victor Martinez's autograph imprinted. Martinez was dealt to Boston on Friday. ... Guerrier has an 0.57 ERA in his last 33 appearances since May 24.

[Associated Press]

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