CLEVELAND — (AP) Mike Clevinger pitched effectively in his first game since breaking team rules and COVID-19 protocols and Tyler Naquin doubled in the go-ahead run in the eighth inning as the Cleveland Indians beat the Minnesota Twins 6-3.
By taking two of three games in the series, the Tribe (19-12) moved within one-half game of the first-place Twins (20-12) in the AL Central. Clevinger gave up a homer to Max Kepler on his third pitch, but held the Twins to just two runs in his first start since Aug. 5. He had been demoted along with teammate Zach Plesac after they left the team's Chicago hotel and socialized.
José Ramírez hit a three-run homer to put Cleveland on top 3-2 in the third, but Minnesota tied things up in the seventh before Naquin delivered in the bottom of the eighth. Greg Allen and Cesar Hernandez added RBIs of their own and Brad Hand picked up his ninth save.
The Indians are off Thursday before beginning a three-game series Friday night in St. Louis against the Cardinals. The Twins will commence a four-game set against the Tigers tomorrow night in Detroit.
