|
 Anderson did just that, allowing one run over 6 2/3 innings as the
Indians won 6-3 over the Minnesota Twins at Target Field on
Thursday.
By salvaging the final game of a three-game series, Cleveland moved
within 2 1/2 games of Minnesota in the American League wild-card
standings and within four games of the idle Houston Astros for the
second wild-card spot.
"He continues to learn and get better," Indians manager Terry
Francona said. "I thought he did really well. He doesn't get
flustered and he's certainly not scared. He competes like nobody's
business and we're seeing him get better right in front of our eyes.
It's kind of fun."
Staked to a three-run lead after one and a six-run lead through
three, Anderson attacked Twins hitters early. He allowed 10 hits but
walked none, winning his fourth consecutive start. Over those four
games, Anderson has posted a minuscule 1.38 ERA.
"Just trying to get the guys in the dugout as fast as possible,"
Anderson said of pitching with the lead. "Pound the ball down in the
zone and get some ground balls. It's a good feeling."
Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor had three hits. Designated hitter
Carlos Santana hit a three-run home run, and second baseman Jason
Kipnis hit a solo shot.
After Indians reliever Bryan Shaw gave up two runs in 1 1/3 innings,
closer Cody Allen threw a perfect ninth inning for his 32nd save.
Right fielder Torii Hunter hit a solo homer and left fielder Eddie
Rosario had a two-run blast to pace the Twins, who had won three in
a row. Minnesota, which finished its 10-game homestand at 4-6, is 1
1/2 games behind the Astros.
Cleveland hammered Twins starter Kyle Gibson, knocking the
right-hander from the game before he could get through three
innings.
Kipnis got things going early, hitting the third pitch of the game
over the wall in left field for his ninth homer of the season and
fourth leadoff shot.
A walk by third baseman Jose Ramirez and a single by Lindor got two
more runners on, and both moved into scoring position on a
comebacker to the mound that bounced off Gibson's leg.
With two outs in the inning, right fielder Lonnie Chisenhall
dribbled a single through the hole between first and second, scoring
both Ramirez and Lindor for a 3-0 lead after a half-inning.
"It felt good, even when (Kipnis) got his leadoff home run, it felt
good just to get on the scoreboard first," Francona said. "We stayed
after them a little bit which is good."
Minnesota had a chance to get back into the game in the bottom half
of the inning, getting a leadoff double from center fielder Aaron
Hicks and an infield single from second baseman Brian Dozier. But
first baseman Joe Mauer's fly ball to center wasn't deep enough to
score Hicks, as Abraham Almonte gunned him down at the plate with a
strong throw.
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"I thought it was big. You're trying to get right back in the game
after giving up three," Twins skipper Paul Molitor said. "You try to
stay aggressive early in the game, but the guy made the play."
Gibson (10-11) breezed through a 1-2-3 second inning but didn't
survive the third, allowing a leadoff double to Ramirez and a single
by Lindor before the big blow; a three-run blast by Santana that
gave Cleveland a six-run lead.
Catcher Yan Gomes followed with a single before a two-out walk to
Almonte ended Gibson's night. He was charged with all six runs in 2
2/3 innings. Gibson walked two with struck out five.
The start was the shortest of the season for Gibson, who went 3 2/3
innings in his first start of the season on April 9. It was just the
third time in 31 starts this season that he did not last at least
five innings.
"I didn't have a feel for anything, honestly," Gibson said. "Just
wasn't executing pitches. Other than the second inning, that was the
case tonight."
Hunter's solo shot in the seventh was the only damage allowed by
Anderson.
"But when you're up six, you'd rather see that than him walking
guys," Francona said.
Rosario's two-run shot with two outs in the eighth was his 12th and
got the Twins within striking distance but Minnesota could not get
another runner on base.
NOTES: Indians LF Michael Brantley missed his second game in a row
with a right shoulder injury. He is day-to-day. ... The Twins
started the same lineup for the third consecutive game. It was the
first time this season they did that. ... Twins LHP Tommy Milone
threw 12 pitches in a bullpen session and did not experience a
setback. He will throw again in a day or two, according to general
manager Terry Ryan, and could return by the end of the season.
Milone has missed one start with fatigue in his throwing shoulder.
... The Indians continue their road trip Friday when they open a
three-game series against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman
Stadium. ... The Twins hit the road for their final trip of the
season beginning Friday against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park.
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