Minnesota Twins clinch playoff spot
The Minnesota Twins became Major League Baseball’s first team to clinch a playoff spot in the 2010 season after a dramatic come-from-behind win on Tuesday. The Twins defeated the Cleveland
Indians 6-4 thanks to a four-run eighth inning. Coupled with the Chicago White Sox loss to the Oakland A’s, the Twins clinched the American League Central title for the second straight season. Twins Manager Ron Gardenhire picked up his 800th win
of his managerial career and has now led the Twins to six AL Central titles in the last nine seasons.
Scott Baker returned to the mound for the Twins, making his first start since 2 September due to elbow tendonitis. Baker pitched five solid innings in his return and allowed four hits
and one earned run. He also had seven strikeouts. Glen Perkins picked up the win for the Twins after pitching the eighth inning and improved his record to 1-1. Matt Capps came in on relief in the ninth inning and retired three straight batters for his 15th
save on the season and his 41st for the Twins.
Trailing 4-2 in the eighth inning, Jim Thome, who had also figured in on the scoring in the second inning after
hitting his 25th homerun of the season and the 589th of his career, started the rally after a single off Justin Masterson to kick-off the inning. Delmon Young
than cracked a double to centrefield scoring pinch-runner Trevor Plouffe. Danny Valencia then hit a single to put runners on the corners. Masterson was then replaced by Tony Sipp on the mound. Pinch-hitter Jose Morales then hit a sacrifice fly to tie the game
at 4-4. Denard Span then hit a single to left that scored Valencia for the eventual winning run. Orlando Hudson than drove a double into right-center field to score Span to make it a 6-4 game.
"We all pick each other up," Hudson said. "If you didn't get (a runner) in or get him over, the next man will. I'm really enjoying it and it's fun to be a part of."
Masterson was credited with the loss for the Indians and dropped his record to 6-13. He recorded just two outs, while being on the hook for three runs.
Fausto Carmona got the start for the Indians and gave up six hits and two runs in 5 2/3 innings. Indians manager Manny Acta thought his starter was solid.
"Good effort by Carmona, he pitched very well," said Cleveland manager Manny Acta. "We couldn't get it done tonight."
The Twins are now 45-18 since the All-Star break, an MLB best since that time.
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