GAME THREAD: GAME THREAD: AL: CLEVELAND (79-58) at MINNESOTA (69-69)

AL: CLEVELAND at MINNESOTA

<div class="pre">AL AT MINNESOTA - PITCHING CHANGE
CLE: JOE BOROWSKI (3-5, 5.60) STARTING THE 11TH
CURRENT SCORE: CLEVELAND 7, MINNESOTA 5

DUE UP FOR MINNESOTA: N PUNTO (.198, 1 HR, 22 RBI)</div>

 

AL: CLEVELAND at MINNESOTA

<div class="pre">AL AT MINNESOTA - MID INNING UPDATE
PLAY: J Borowski relieved R Betancourt.
SITUATION: 0 RUNS IN, NONE ON, 0 OUTS
CURRENT SCORE: CLEVELAND 7
MINNESOTA 5 BOTTOM, 11TH

DUE UP FOR MINNESOTA: N Punto (.198, 1 HR, 22 RBI)</div>

 

AL: CLEVELAND at MINNESOTA

<div class="pre">AL AT MINNESOTA - MID INNING UPDATE
PLAY: B Buscher hit for A Casilla.
SITUATION: 0 RUNS IN, NONE ON, 1 OUT
CURRENT SCORE: CLEVELAND 7
MINNESOTA 5 BOTTOM, 11TH

DUE UP FOR MINNESOTA: B Buscher (.242, 1 HR, 2 RBI)</div>

 

AL: CLEVELAND at MINNESOTA

<div class="pre">AL FINAL 11
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
- - - - - - - - -
CLEVELAND 1 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 2
MINNESOTA 0 1 3 1 0 0 0 0 0

10 11 R H E
-- -- - - -
CLEVELAND 0 2 7 12 1
MINNESOTA 0 0 5 13 1 (FINAL 11)

BATTERIES: CLE - AARON LAFFEY, TOM MASTNY (5TH), JENSEN LEWIS (6TH), RAFAEL
BETANCOURT (9TH), JOE BOROWSKI (11TH) AND VICTOR MARTINEZ

MIN - KEVIN SLOWEY, MATT GUERRIER (6TH), JUAN RINCON
(7TH), CARMEN CALI (7TH), PAT NESHEK (7TH), JOE NATHAN (9TH),
JULIO DEPAULA (11TH) AND CHRIS HEINTZ, JOE MAUER (11TH)

HOME RUNS: CLE - TRAVIS HAFNER (20) OFF KEVIN SLOWEY IN THE 1ST, 0 ON
TRAVIS HAFNER (21) OFF JOE NATHAN IN THE 9TH, 1 ON

MIN - NONE</div>

 

AL: CLEVELAND at MINNESOTA

<div class="pre">AL FINAL 11
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
- - - - - - - - -
CLEVELAND 1 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 2
MINNESOTA 0 1 3 1 0 0 0 0 0

10 11 R H E
-- -- - - -
CLEVELAND 0 2 7 12 1
MINNESOTA 0 0 5 13 1 (FINAL 11)

BATTERIES: CLE - AARON LAFFEY, TOM MASTNY (5TH), JENSEN LEWIS (6TH), RAFAEL
BETANCOURT (9TH), JOE BOROWSKI (11TH) AND VICTOR MARTINEZ

MIN - KEVIN SLOWEY, MATT GUERRIER (6TH), JUAN RINCON
(7TH), CARMEN CALI (7TH), PAT NESHEK (7TH), JOE NATHAN (9TH),
JULIO DEPAULA (11TH) AND CHRIS HEINTZ, JOE MAUER (11TH)


WP - RAFAEL BETANCOURT (4-0)
LP - JULIO DEPAULA (0-1)
SAVE - JOE BOROWSKI (40)

HOME RUNS: CLE - TRAVIS HAFNER (20) OFF KEVIN SLOWEY IN THE 1ST, 0 ON
TRAVIS HAFNER (21) OFF JOE NATHAN IN THE 9TH, 1 ON

MIN - NONE


TIME: 3:48 ATT: 16,218

PROBABLES: CLE - FAUSTO CARMONA (14-8, 3.31)
MIN - SCOTT BAKER (8-6, 4.09)</div>

 

AL: CLEVELAND at MINNESOTA

<div class="pre">CLEVELAND (7) VS MINNESOTA (5) - FINAL IN 11 INNINGS

CLEVELAND ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
G Sizemore cf 5 1 0 0 1 1 3 .274
A Cabrera 2b 6 1 3 0 0 0 1 .316
T Hafner dh 4 2 2 4 1 1 2 .257
V Martinez c 5 0 2 1 0 1 0 .304
R Garko 1b 6 0 1 0 0 1 6 .297
J Peralta ss 4 1 0 0 1 2 1 .268
K Lofton lf 5 1 2 1 0 0 1 .302
F Gutierrez rf 4 1 0 0 1 0 3 .269
C Blake 3b 4 0 2 0 0 0 1 .265

Totals 43 7 12 6 4 6 18

BATTING: 2B - K Lofton (23, M Guerrier); A Cabrera (5, J Nathan); V Martinez
(36, J DePaula). 3B - K Lofton (4, K Slowey). HR - T Hafner 2 (21, 1st inning
off K Slowey 0 on, 2 Out, 9th inning off J Nathan 1 on, 2 Out). S - C Blake. SF
- T Hafner. RBI - T Hafner 4 (84), K Lofton (32), V Martinez (98). 2-out RBI -
T Hafner 3, K Lofton, V Martinez. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - F
Gutierrez 1, R Garko 4. Team LOB - 10.

FIELDING: E - C Blake (13, throw). Outfield assists - G Sizemore (J Morneau
at 3rd base), F Gutierrez (M Cuddyer at 2nd base). DP: 1 (T Mastny-J Peralta-R
Garko).


MINNESOTA ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
A Casilla 2b 4 0 0 0 0 1 3 .244
c-B Buscher ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .235
J Bartlett ss 4 1 1 0 1 0 2 .275
T Hunter cf 5 1 0 0 1 0 2 .288
J Morneau 1b 5 0 3 3 0 0 0 .282
M Cuddyer rf 5 0 2 0 0 0 1 .278
R White lf 3 1 0 0 1 0 3 .143
J Tyner pr-lf 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 .293
J Kubel dh 4 1 2 1 1 1 1 .264
C Heintz c 4 0 1 0 0 0 2 .233
a-M Redmond ph 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 .294
b-J Mauer ph-c 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 .294
L Rodriguez 3b 4 1 3 1 0 0 1 .220
N Punto 3b 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 .197

Totals 42 5 13 5 4 4 17

a-hit for C Heintz in the 10th; b-struck out swinging for M Redmond in the
10th; c-flied out to right for A Casilla in the 11th.

BATTING: 2B - J Kubel 2 (24, A Laffey 2); J Morneau (29, A Laffey); J Tyner
(13, R Betancourt). S - A Casilla. RBI - J Kubel (53), J Morneau 3 (99), L
Rodriguez (10). 2-out RBI - J Kubel, L Rodriguez. Runners left in scoring
position, 2 out - C Heintz 1, R White 1, J Bartlett 1, J Mauer 1. GIDP - T
Hunter. Team LOB - 10.

FIELDING: E - L Rodriguez (4, ground ball). Outfield assists - M Cuddyer (C
Blake at 1st base). DP: 1 (M Cuddyer-J Bartlett).


----------------------------------------------------
CLEVELAND - 110 001 002 02 -- 7
MINNESOTA - 013 100 000 00 -- 5
----------------------------------------------------

CLEVELAND ip h r er bb so hr era
A Laffey 4 6 5 5 1 1 0 5.93
T Mastny 1 1/3 4 0 0 1 0 0 4.47
J Lewis 2 2/3 0 0 0 1 1 0 2.84
R Betancourt (W, 4-0) 2 2 0 0 1 1 0 1.48
J Borowski (S, 40) 1 1 0 0 0 1 0 5.50

MINNESOTA ip h r er bb so hr era
K Slowey 5 5 2 1 0 3 1 5.36
M Guerrier (H, 10) 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 2.34
J Rincon (H, 11) 2/3 2 0 0 0 0 0 5.51
C Cali (H, 3) 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 4.34
P Neshek (H, 14) 1 1/3 0 0 0 0 1 0 2.77
J Nathan (B, 3) 2 2 2 2 0 2 1 1.94
J DePaula (L, 0-1) 1 2 2 2 2 0 0 7.11

C Cali pitched to 2 batters in the 7th.

IBB - J Kubel (by R Betancourt), G Sizemore (by J DePaula). HBP - J Bartlett
(by A Laffey); V Martinez (by C Cali). Pitches-strikes: A Laffey 67-40; T
Mastny 26-17; J Lewis 36-23; R Betancourt 23-20; J Borowski 16-10; K Slowey
89-58; M Guerrier 24-13; J Rincon 6-5; C Cali 8-3; P Neshek 14-11; J Nathan
23-15; J DePaula 23-11. Ground balls-fly balls: A Laffey 7-3; T Mastny 4-0; J
Lewis 2-5; R Betancourt 2-2; J Borowski 1-1; K Slowey 3-9; M Guerrier 2-1; J
Rincon 0-1; C Cali 0-0; P Neshek 1-2; J Nathan 1-3; J DePaula 2-1. Batters
faced: A Laffey 19; T Mastny 8; J Lewis 9; R Betancourt 8; J Borowski 4; K
Slowey 21; M Guerrier 5; J Rincon 3; C Cali 2; P Neshek 4; J Nathan 8; J
DePaula 7.

UMPIRES: HP--Ted Barrett. 1B--James Hoye. 2B--Mark Carlson. 3B--Angel
Hernandez.

T--3:48. Att--16,218.
Weather: INDOORS</div>

 

AL: CLEVELAND at MINNESOTA

<div class="pre">** CONFIRMED **
AL
CLEVELAND 7
MINNESOTA 5 FINAL</div>

 

AL: CLEVELAND at MINNESOTA

<div class="pre">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
CLEVELAND (7) AT MINNESOTA (5) - HOW THEY SCORED
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

CLEVELAND 1ST: G Sizemore struck out looking. A Cabrera flied out to left.
T Hafner homered to right. V Martinez singled to center. R Garko grounded
out to third. (1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) CLEVELAND 1, MINNESOTA 0.

CLEVELAND 2ND: J Peralta struck out looking. K Lofton tripled to deep
right center. F Gutierrez safe at first on error by third baseman L Rodriguez,
K Lofton scored. C Blake flied out to right. G Sizemore lined out to first.
(1 Run, 1 Hit, 1 Error) CLEVELAND 2, MINNESOTA 0.

MINNESOTA 2ND: J Morneau singled to center. M Cuddyer flied out to center.
R White grounded into fielder's choice to shortstop, J Morneau out at second.
J Kubel doubled to deep center, R White scored. C Heintz grounded out to
shortstop. (1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) CLEVELAND 2, MINNESOTA 1.

MINNESOTA 3RD: L Rodriguez reached on infield single to third, L Rodriguez
to second on throwing error by third baseman C Blake. A Casilla sacrificed to
third, L Rodriguez to third. J Bartlett hit by pitch. T Hunter walked,
J Bartlett to second. J Morneau doubled to deep center, L Rodriguez, J Bartlett
and T Hunter scored, J Morneau thrown out at third attempting to advance on
play. M Cuddyer popped out to shortstop. (3 Runs, 2 Hits, 1 Error) CLEVELAND 2,
MINNESOTA 4.

MINNESOTA 4TH: R White grounded out to pitcher. J Kubel doubled to deep
right. C Heintz flied out to right, J Kubel to third. L Rodriguez singled to
center, J Kubel scored. A Casilla grounded out to pitcher. (1 Run, 2 Hits,
0 Errors) CLEVELAND 2, MINNESOTA 5.

CLEVELAND 6TH: M Guerrier relieved K Slowey. V Martinez grounded out to
first. R Garko grounded out to second. J Peralta walked. K Lofton doubled to
deep right, J Peralta scored. F Gutierrez flied out to center. (1 Run, 1 Hit,
0 Errors) CLEVELAND 3, MINNESOTA 5.

CLEVELAND 9TH: J Tyner in left field. N Punto at third base. J Nathan
relieved P Neshek. C Blake flied out to right. G Sizemore lined out to right.
A Cabrera hit a ground rule double to deep center. T Hafner homered to center,
A Cabrera scored. V Martinez struck out swinging. (2 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors)
CLEVELAND 5, MINNESOTA 5.

CLEVELAND 11TH: J Mauer catching. J DePaula relieved J Nathan. F Gutierrez
walked. C Blake sacrificed to first, F Gutierrez to second. G Sizemore
intentionally walked. A Cabrera reached on infield single to second,
F Gutierrez to third, G Sizemore to second. T Hafner hit sacrifice fly to
center, F Gutierrez scored, G Sizemore to third. V Martinez hit a ground rule
double to deep left, G Sizemore scored, A Cabrera to third. R Garko grounded
out to second. (2 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) CLEVELAND 7, MINNESOTA 5.</div>

 

AL: CLEVELAND at MINNESOTA

<div class="pre">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
CLEVELAND (7) AT MINNESOTA (5) - EVENT LOG
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Cleveland Starting Lineups -- G Sizemore CF, A Cabrera 2B, T Hafner DH,
V Martinez C, R Garko 1B, J Peralta SS, K Lofton LF, F Gutierrez RF, C Blake 3B,
A Laffey LHP.

Minnesota Starting Lineups -- A Casilla 2B, J Bartlett SS, T Hunter CF,
J Morneau 1B, M Cuddyer RF, R White LF, J Kubel DH, C Heintz C, L Rodriguez 3B,
K Slowey RHP.

Umpires -- Ted Barrett (HP), James Hoye (1B), Mark Carlson (2B),
Angel Hernandez (3B).

Gametime Weather: INDOORS.


CLEVELAND 1ST: G Sizemore struck out looking. A Cabrera flied out to left.
T Hafner homered to right. V Martinez singled to center. R Garko grounded
out to third. (1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) CLEVELAND 1, MINNESOTA 0.

MINNESOTA 1ST: A Casilla struck out swinging. J Bartlett grounded out to
third. T Hunter grounded out to pitcher. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) CLEVELAND 1,
MINNESOTA 0.

CLEVELAND 2ND: J Peralta struck out looking. K Lofton tripled to deep
right center. F Gutierrez safe at first on error by third baseman L Rodriguez,
K Lofton scored. C Blake flied out to right. G Sizemore lined out to first.
(1 Run, 1 Hit, 1 Error) CLEVELAND 2, MINNESOTA 0.

MINNESOTA 2ND: J Morneau singled to center. M Cuddyer flied out to center.
R White grounded into fielder's choice to shortstop, J Morneau out at second.
J Kubel doubled to deep center, R White scored. C Heintz grounded out to
shortstop. (1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) CLEVELAND 2, MINNESOTA 1.

CLEVELAND 3RD: A Cabrera grounded out to shortstop. T Hafner popped out to
third. V Martinez popped out to third. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) CLEVELAND 2,
MINNESOTA 1.

MINNESOTA 3RD: L Rodriguez reached on infield single to third, L Rodriguez
to second on throwing error by third baseman C Blake. A Casilla sacrificed to
third, L Rodriguez to third. J Bartlett hit by pitch. T Hunter walked,
J Bartlett to second. J Morneau doubled to deep center, L Rodriguez, J Bartlett
and T Hunter scored, J Morneau thrown out at third attempting to advance on
play. M Cuddyer popped out to shortstop. (3 Runs, 2 Hits, 1 Error) CLEVELAND 2,
MINNESOTA 4.

CLEVELAND 4TH: R Garko singled to right. J Peralta lined out to third.
K Lofton flied out to left. F Gutierrez grounded into fielder's choice to third,
R Garko out at second. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) CLEVELAND 2, MINNESOTA 4.

MINNESOTA 4TH: R White grounded out to pitcher. J Kubel doubled to deep
right. C Heintz flied out to right, J Kubel to third. L Rodriguez singled to
center, J Kubel scored. A Casilla grounded out to pitcher. (1 Run, 2 Hits,
0 Errors) CLEVELAND 2, MINNESOTA 5.

CLEVELAND 5TH: C Blake singled to right. G Sizemore flied out to right.
A Cabrera fouled out to third. T Hafner struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 1 Hit,
0 Errors) CLEVELAND 2, MINNESOTA 5.

MINNESOTA 5TH: T Mastny relieved A Laffey. J Bartlett walked. T Hunter
grounded into double play, pitcher to shortstop to first, J Bartlett out at
second. J Morneau singled to center. M Cuddyer singled to left, J Morneau to
second. R White grounded into fielder's choice to third, J Morneau out at
third. (0 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) CLEVELAND 2, MINNESOTA 5.

CLEVELAND 6TH: M Guerrier relieved K Slowey. V Martinez grounded out to
first. R Garko grounded out to second. J Peralta walked. K Lofton doubled to
deep right, J Peralta scored. F Gutierrez flied out to center. (1 Run, 1 Hit,
0 Errors) CLEVELAND 3, MINNESOTA 5.

MINNESOTA 6TH: J Kubel grounded out to first. C Heintz singled to center.
L Rodriguez singled to right, C Heintz to second. J Lewis relieved T Mastny.
A Casilla flied out to right. J Bartlett flied out to right. (0 Runs, 2 Hits,
0 Errors) CLEVELAND 3, MINNESOTA 5.

CLEVELAND 7TH: J Rincon relieved M Guerrier. C Blake singled to center.
G Sizemore flied into double play, right to shortstop, C Blake doubled off first.
A Cabrera singled to left. C Cali relieved J Rincon. T Hafner walked,
A Cabrera to second. V Martinez hit by pitch, A Cabrera to third, T Hafner to
second. P Neshek relieved C Cali. R Garko flied out to right. (0 Runs, 2 Hits,
0 Errors) CLEVELAND 3, MINNESOTA 5.

MINNESOTA 7TH: T Hunter flied out to left. J Morneau grounded out to
third. M Cuddyer popped out to shortstop. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors)
CLEVELAND 3, MINNESOTA 5.

CLEVELAND 8TH: J Peralta struck out swinging. K Lofton grounded out to
first. F Gutierrez flied out to center. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) CLEVELAND 3,
MINNESOTA 5.

MINNESOTA 8TH: R White walked. J Tyner ran for R White. J Kubel struck out
looking. C Heintz flied out to right. L Rodriguez grounded out to pitcher.
(0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) CLEVELAND 3, MINNESOTA 5.

CLEVELAND 9TH: J Tyner in left field. N Punto at third base. J Nathan
relieved P Neshek. C Blake flied out to right. G Sizemore lined out to right.
A Cabrera hit a ground rule double to deep center. T Hafner homered to center,
A Cabrera scored. V Martinez struck out swinging. (2 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors)
CLEVELAND 5, MINNESOTA 5.

MINNESOTA 9TH: R Betancourt relieved J Lewis. A Casilla grounded out to
second. J Bartlett flied out to left. T Hunter flied out to right. (0 Runs,
0 Hits, 0 Errors) CLEVELAND 5, MINNESOTA 5.

CLEVELAND 10TH: R Garko struck out swinging. J Peralta lined out to
shortstop. K Lofton grounded out to shortstop. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors)
CLEVELAND 5, MINNESOTA 5.

MINNESOTA 10TH: J Morneau grounded out to shortstop. M Cuddyer singled to
right, M Cuddyer out at second. J Tyner doubled to deep right. J Kubel
intentionally walked. M Redmond hit for C Heintz. J Mauer hit for M Redmond
and inherits a 3-2 count. J Mauer struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors)
CLEVELAND 5, MINNESOTA 5.

CLEVELAND 11TH: J Mauer catching. J DePaula relieved J Nathan. F Gutierrez
walked. C Blake sacrificed to first, F Gutierrez to second. G Sizemore
intentionally walked. A Cabrera reached on infield single to second,
F Gutierrez to third, G Sizemore to second. T Hafner hit sacrifice fly to
center, F Gutierrez scored, G Sizemore to third. V Martinez hit a ground rule
double to deep left, G Sizemore scored, A Cabrera to third. R Garko grounded
out to second. (2 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) CLEVELAND 7, MINNESOTA 5.

MINNESOTA 11TH: J Borowski relieved R Betancourt. N Punto struck out
swinging. B Buscher hit for A Casilla. B Buscher flied out to right.
J Bartlett singled to center. T Hunter grounded out to shortstop. (0 Runs,
1 Hit, 0 Errors) CLEVELAND 7, MINNESOTA 5.</div>

 

Hafner helps Indians rally past Twins

<h3>CLEVELAND 7, MINNESOTA 5 (11 INNINGS)</h3>By Anthony Maggio
By PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer


MINNEAPOLIS (Ticker) -- Down to their last out, the ClevelandIndians dug deep to eventually pull out a win.


After knotting the contest on a game-tying two-run homer in theninth inning, Travis Hafner drove in the key run in the top ofthe 11th for the Indians, who rallied to beat the MinnesotaTwins, 7-5, on Tuesday.


Victor Martinez added an insurance run with an RBI double forCleveland, which has won 10 of 11 and 15 of 19.


The victory also pushed the Indians lead to seven games over theDetroit Tigers in the American League Central Division.Detroit lost to the Chicago White Sox, 3-1, earlier on Tuesday.

With the score tied at 5-5 in the 11th, the Indians loaded thebases before Hafner drilled a pitch from rookie reliever JulioDePaula (0-1) to center field. Torii Hunter made an over theshoulder catch, but the fly ball was deep enough to plateFranklin Gutierrez from third to give the Indians the lead.Martinez then hammered a double into the left-center field gapto increase the lead to 7-5.


Rafael Betancourt (4-0), the fourth of five Indians pitchers,hurled two innings of relief, allowing just two hits and a walkwhile striking out one.


Closer Joe Borowski worked around a two-out single to JasonBartlett in the bottom of the 11th for his 40th save in 46opportunities.


Cleveland would not have had the opportunity for this winwithout the heroics of Hafner earlier.


Trailing, 5-3, with two outs in the ninth, Asdrubal Cabrera hita double off Twins closer Joe Nathan to the center field wall tobring up Hafner, who had homered in the first inning to giveCleveland an initial 1-0 advantage.


After taking the first two pitches for balls, Hafner belted afastball to straight-away center field, easily clearing the 408mark on the fence. It was Hafner's 13th multi-homer game.

It was only the third homer Nathan has allowed and just histhird blown save all season.


The Twins trailed, 2-0, in the top of the second before scoringfive runs over the next three frames.


After Jason Kubel hit a run-scoring double in the bottom of thesecond to cut Minnesota's deficit to 2-1, Justin Morneau madehis presence felt.


The reigning American League Most Valuable Player belted a deepfly to center field with one out and the bases loaded in thethird inning. Indians center fielder Grady Sizemore got hisglove on the ball, but couldn't secure it as he crashed into thewall. Morneau was tagged out after he was caught betweensecond and third base, but all three runners scored to put theTwins up 4-2.


Luis Rodriguez singled home a run in the fourth inning to makeit 5-2 before Cleveland cut the score to two on Kenny Lofton'sRBI double off Twins reliever Matt Guerrier in the sixth inning.

Morneau went 3-for-5 with three RBI for Minnesota, which haslost six straight to Cleveland.

 

Hafner helps Indians rally past Twins

<h3>CLEVELAND 7, MINNESOTA 5 (11 INNINGS)</h3>By Anthony Maggio
By PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer


MINNEAPOLIS (Ticker) -- Down to their last out, the ClevelandIndians dug deep to eventually pull out a win.


After knotting the contest on a game-tying two-run homer in theninth inning, Travis Hafner drove in the key run in the top ofthe 11th for the Indians, who rallied to beat the MinnesotaTwins, 7-5, on Tuesday.


Victor Martinez added an insurance run with an RBI double forCleveland, which has won 10 of 11 and 15 of 19.


"A great win against one of the best closers in the game,"Hafner said. "We've got a good group of guys here that alwaysfight to the last out."


"Hafner's been hitting; Martinez has been hot," Twins managerRon Gardenhire said. "Those are two great hitters in themiddle."


The victory also pushed the Indians lead to seven games over theDetroit Tigers in the American League Central Division. Detroitlost to the Chicago White Sox, 3-1, earlier on Tuesday.

With the score tied at 5-5 in the 11th, the Indians loaded thebases before Hafner drilled a pitch from rookie reliever JulioDePaula (0-1) to center field. Torii Hunter made anover-the-shoulder catch, but the fly ball was deep enough toplate Franklin Gutierrez from third to give the Indians thelead. Martinez then hammered a double into the left-center fieldgap to increase the lead to 7-5.


Rafael Betancourt (4-0), the fourth of five Indians pitchers,hurled two innings of relief, allowing just two hits and a walkwhile striking out one.


"The bullpen picked us up today," Cleveland manager Eric Wedgesaid. "(Tom) Mastny and (Jensen) Lewis (kept) us where we were(and) allowed Hafner to be in the position to hit that (homerun) ball."


Closer Joe Borowski worked around a two-out single to JasonBartlett in the bottom of the 11th for his 40th save in 46opportunities.


"Joe's been a huge part of our success," Wedge said. "He's beenstrong on and off the field."


Cleveland would not have had the opportunity for this winwithout the heroics of Hafner earlier.


Trailing, 5-3, with two outs in the ninth, Asdrubal Cabrera hita double off Twins closer Joe Nathan to the center field wall tobring up Hafner, who had homered in the first inning to giveCleveland an initial 1-0 advantage.


After taking the first two pitches for balls, Hafner belted afastball to straight-away center field, easily clearing the 408mark on the fence. It was Hafner's 13th multi-homer game.

"I was just trying to put a good swing on it," Hafner said."Just trying to hit something hard."


"You see the way it's coming off his bat," Wedge said. "He'sdriving it to the gaps, and the (good) timing of his hits. It'sgreat to see."


It was only the third homer Nathan has allowed and just histhird blown save all season.


It was Hafner's sixth home run against the Twins this season.

The Twins trailed, 2-0, in the top of the second before scoringfive runs over the next three frames.


After Jason Kubel hit a run-scoring double in the bottom of thesecond to cut Minnesota's deficit to 2-1, Justin Morneau madehis presence felt.


The reigning American League Most Valuable Player belted a deepfly to center field with one out and the bases loaded in thethird inning. Indians center fielder Grady Sizemore got hisglove on the ball, but couldn't secure it as he crashed into thewall. Morneau was tagged out after he was caught betweensecond and third base, but all three runners scored to put theTwins up 4-2.


Luis Rodriguez singled home a run in the fourth inning to makeit 5-2 before Cleveland cut the score to two on Kenny Lofton'sRBI double off Twins reliever Matt Guerrier in the sixth inning.

Morneau went 3-for-5 with three RBI for Minnesota, which haslost six straight to Cleveland.