The Minnesota Twins defeated Cleveland 6-4 Wednesday night, taking their second straight game against the Indians and setting up a shot at a three-game sweep Thursday. The Twins took a commanding lead in the fifth inning, when a two-run home run by Josh Willingham broke a 2-2 tie. Chris Herrmann's groundout brought home another run, giving the Twins a 5-2 lead. Willingham drove home another run with a single in the sixth, extending the lead to 6-2. The Indians tacked on two runs in the bottom of the eighth, but it was not enough. Minnesota closer Glen Perkins slammed the door shut in the ninth for his 13th save of the season.
Twins starter Liam Hendriks received his first win of the season, going six innings and allowing just two earned runs on two hits with two strikeouts, improving his record to 1-7. Indians starter Zach McAllister took the loss, dropping to 5-8 after allowing four earned runs in just 4⅓ innings.
The two squads return to action Thursday for the final game of this week's three-game series.
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