CLEVELAND -- Not all good things come in threes, and the Cleveland Indians found that out the hard way against the Minnesota Twins at Progressive Field Monday night.
Fresh off of a three-game sweep of the Oakland Athletics over the weekend, the Indians surrendered three home runs to Minnesota right fielder Max Kepler, and fell to the Twins, 12-5. Monday’s loss marked the sixth setback in 10 games against their American League Central Division foes.
The loss dropped the Indians to 60-43 on the season, while the Twins improved to 41-64. Despite the loss, the Indians maintained the second-best record in the American League and hold a four-game lead over the Detroit Tigers in the Central standings.
Kepler and the Twins got things rolling in the top of the first inning.
Second baseman Brian Dozier led off the game with a sharp single to center field against Indians starter Danny Salazar, but was caught stealing. However, first baseman Joe Mauer drew a walk, and then, Kepler belted a 406-foot home run to right-center field.
Although the Indians took a lead in the bottom of the first inning when right fielder Lonnie Chisenhall followed third baseman Jose Ramirez’s RBI single to right field with a two-out, two-run double to left, the Twins had an answer in the top of the second inning.
Center fielder Eddie Rosario blasted a lead-off home run to right field that drew the Twins even with the Indians at 3-3.
Then, in the top of the third inning, Mauer singled to shallow left field, and Kepler followed with a 415-foot home run to dead center field, his second two-run round-tripper of the evening, and the Twins were not done with the Indians.
Designated hitter Kennys Vargas continued the rally with a walk, which forced the Indians to pull Salazar and go to the bullpen with no outs in the inning. Shortstop Eduardo Escobar singled to right field and moved Vargas over to third base, and Rosario drew a walk that loaded the bases.
Third baseman Jorge Polanco drove in three runs with bases-clearing triple to deep center field.
The Twins built on their lead when Kepler smashed his third two-run home run of the game in the top of the sixth inning. It was the first time a Twins player hit three home runs against the Indians since Bob Allison accomplished the feat during the 1963 season.
Minnesota added another two runs when Mauer belted a solo home run and Escobar drove in catcher Kurt Suzuki with an RBI single to center field.
Kepler went four for six with six RBI and three runs scored, while Mauer went four for five with four runs scored.
In just two-plus innings of work, Salazar allowed six hits and six runs, all of which were earned, and three home runs.
