Down 4-1 in the home half of the eighth inning, the Minnesota Twins dropped a three-spot on the Cleveland Indians Monday night, tying the game going into the ninth, 4-4.
After Francisco Liriano escaped a bases loaded jam in the top half, Denard Span started Minnesota's own walk party by drawing four balls to lead off the bottom. Vinnie Pestano got Brian Dozier to fly out and Joe Mauer on strikes, but Josh Willingham doubled in Span and chased Pestano from the game with the score 4-2 in favor of the Indians.
Nick Hagadone relieved Pestano, but he promptly fell behind 2-0 and then gave up a two-run bomb to Ryan Doumit, tying the game at 4-4. Trevor Plouffe followed up Doumit's fifth home run of the season by working a walk, putting the go-ahead run aboard, but Joe Smith was summoned from the bullpen and got the final out of the inning.
Matt Capps will relieve Liriano in the ninth with the game tied.
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