CLEVELAND — Cesar Hernandez hit a two-run homer in the 10th inning off Alex Colomé, giving the Cleveland Indians a 5-3 victory over Minnesota that dropped the Twins to 0-8 in extra-inning games this season.
Hernandez's first career game-ending home run led off the 10th and sliced over the right-field wall to scored Austin Hedges, who started at second base under pandemic rules. Colomé also gave up Jordan Luplow's leadoff homer in the 10th inning of a 5-3 loss at Cleveland on April 26.
James Karinchak got four outs, finishing a 4 2/3 hitless and scoreless Tribe bullpen behind Shane Bieber, who allowed three runs over 5 1/3. Emmanuel Clase earned five outs before being replaced by Karinchak, who picked up his second win of the year.
The Indians (24-19) jumped out to a 3-0 lead after Franmil Reyes clobbered a two-run shot in the first and Austin Hedges singled home Amed Rosario in the second, but Minnesota (16-29) came barreling back with a Miguel Sanó homer and RBIs by Josh Donaldson and Alex Kirilloff. There was more bad news for Cleveland in the sixth, when Reyes hurt himself swinging at a pitch and had to leave in the middle of his at-bat. He was diagnosed with a left abdominal strain, which will likely land him on the injured list.
The Tribe loaded the bases in the bottom of the ninth, but Jake Bauers struck out and Hedges popped out to send it to extra innings. After Karinchak took care of business in the top of the frame, Hernandez went against conventional wisdom and sent the 1-0 pitch just over the fence, rather that bunt and try to advance Hedges to third.
Prior to the game, Cleveland optioned pitcher Triston McKenzie to Triple-A Columbus after the rookie posted a 1-3 record and a 6.89 ERA in eight games, including another rough outing Friday in a 10-0 loss. Lefty reliever Kyle Nelson (two scoreless MLB innings this year) was recalled to replace him, but the club did not announce who would take the now-open rotation spot.
Saturday's victory the fourth extra-inning win of the season for the Indians, who now sit just 1 1/2 games back of the Chicago White Sox for first place in the American League Central division. They'll go for the series win Sunday afternoon when Zach Plesac (4-3, 3.93 ERA) pitches against J.A. Happ (2-2, 5.35).