Minnesota Twins defeat Cleveland Indians 7-5 – MLB Update
Danny Valencia put in a tremendous performance as he drove in a single as the Minnesota Twins beat Cleveland Indians 7-5 at Target Field on Wednesday, July 20.
"He looks pretty good," Ullger said. "He looks like he's been there awhile. He's just a natural athlete. I think he could probably play any position. He could probably play shortstop if he wanted to play shortstop. He's just that kind of athlete."
Valencia had hit a two-run single in the ninth inning on Tuesday, July 19, against Perez to guide the Minnesota Twins to a magnificent 2-1 victory. On the second night, his performance once again brought the team a majestic win.
Minnesota started the game fast with respective singles of Alexi Casilla and Joe Mauer to give an early lead to the Twins against the Cleveland starter Josh Tomlin. The lead was effectively maintained by Nick Blackburn with his three scoreless innings.
Matt LaPorta hit a two-run RBI to level the score as Blackburn failed to contain the star hitter. Before he could send other hitters home without allowing more runs, Orlando Cabrera drove in another single to help the Indians to a 3-2 edge.
Jim Thome and Delmon Young capitalised upon the inability of Josh Tomlin to hold sway on the Twins’ offence. The two added a run each in the 3-hit fourth inning that took Minnesota’s score to 4-3.
"You know, hitting behind Jim Thome, obviously you know they are going to pitch around him to get to me," Valencia said. "To be able to come into those situations and capitalize, and for our team to win is all I care about."
LaPorta reverted with a hit and a run that levelled the score in the sixth inning, prompting a change in the pitching line-up once the seventh inning commenced. Alex Burnett had a shut-out seventh inning pitched while Jose Mijares had a scoreless eighth
to keep the game tied.
The Twins sparked in the eighth inning and much was to be credited to Danny Valencia who once again changed the map of the game with his hitting. Valencia singled to right to give a 5-4 lead to the Twins followed by a two-run RBI of Tsuyoshi Nishioka that
took the score 7-4.
Having established dominance in the game, the Twins then resorted to an effective closer, as Joe Nathan executed that responsibility with his fastballs. He only allowed a run to Lonnie Chisenhall but the other two hitters were contained, paving the way for
a 7-5 victory for the Twins.
Coming back from behind after the Indians won the four-game series first two encounters, the Twins won the last two to keep the series level and avoid a sweep.
Tags: