Minnesota Twins vs Cleveland Guardians Match Player Stats On Jul 12, 2019

Jorge Polanco belted a two-run double with two outs in the seventh inning as the visiting Minnesota Twins recorded a 5-3 victory over the Cleveland Indians on Friday.

Nelson Cruz launched a solo homer in the first inning and Mitch Garver went deep to lead off the eighth for the American League Central-leading Twins, who posted their third win in four contests to move 6 1/2 games ahead of Cleveland.

Carlos Santana blasted a solo homer to lead off the fourth inning and Roberto Perez slapped a two-run single for the Indians, who saw their season-high six-game winning streak come to a halt.

Cleveland was nursing a 3-1 lead in the seventh and appeared to get out of the inning unscathed as Max Kepler initially was ruled out at first base on a two-out grounder to shortstop before Minnesota successfully challenged the play. Miguel Sano scored when that play was overturned and Ehire Adrianza and Kepler came home two pitches later from Oliver Perez (2-2) after Indians rookie center fielder Oscar Mercado misjudged the depth of Polanco's fly ball.

Garver provided insurance by depositing an 0-1 fastball from Tyler Clippard over the wall in center field. Garver's 14th homer of the season gave Minnesota a 5-3 lead.

Zack Littell (2-0) allowed one hit in one scoreless inning to pick up the win. Ryne Harper bridged the gap to Taylor Rogers, who permitted one hit over two scoreless innings for his 13th save.

Santana forged a tie at 1 in the fourth inning after sending a 2-2 changeup from Kyle Gibson over the wall in right-center field. The homer was the team-leading 20th of the season for Santana, who has reached base safely in a majors-best 30 straight games.

Perez gave Cleveland a 3-1 lead after muscling a 2-1 fastball from Gibson into right field, plating Jason Kipnis and Jose Ramirez.

Gibson pitched just 3 2/3 innings, allowing three runs (one earned) on four hits and a walk while striking out five.

Cruz opened the scoring in the first inning after depositing a 2-2 fastball from Mike Clevinger over the wall in center field. Cruz's 17th homer of the season served as the first run allowed at home by Clevinger this season.

Clevinger threw five innings and gave up one run on four hits. He struck out six and walked two.

--Field Level Media