Minnesota @ Cleveland preview
Progressive Field
Last Meeting ( Sep 24, 2011 ) Minnesota 6, Cleveland 7
THE STORY: The Cleveland Indians play their final home game of the season Sunday against the Minnesota Twins, who are two defeats away from their first 100-loss season since 1982. The Twins have dropped 18 of their last 20 contests. Cleveland swept a day-day night doubleheader Saturday by rolling to an 8-2 victory in the opener and rallying from a six-run deficit to win the second game, 7-6. The Indians have won 11 of the 17 games in the season series. Cleveland hasn’t finished over .500 since winning the American League Central in 2007.
TV: 1:05 p.m. ET, FS (Minnesota), STO/WKYC (Cleveland).
PITCHING MATCHUP: Twins RH Liam Hendricks (0-2, 6.23 ERA) vs. Indians RH Fausto Carmona (7-15, 5.23 ERA).
Hendriks will be making his fourth career start and first against the Indians. He didn't walk a batter in his last two starts, but opponents are batting .314 against him. Hendricks allowed four runs and 10 hits in 5 1/3 innings against the Seattle Mariners on Tuesday. He's one of several young players who have been rushed to the majors because of Minnesota's injuries.
Carmona will be making his last start of the season, which should be a relief to manager Manny Acta and pitching coach Tim Belcher. Carmona, who was the Indians' starter on Opening Day, is among the league leaders in losses. He defeated the White Sox on Tuesday, his first victory since Aug. 17. Carmona is 5-9 with a 5.01 ERA lifetime against the Twins.
ABOUT THE TWINS (60-98): First baseman Chris Parmelee, who has been one of few bright spots in Minnesota's lost season, learned about life in the big leagues Saturday. He struck out five times in the doubleheader, including all four at-bats in the first game. Parmelee has hit safely in 11 of his last 16 games. He's batting .339 with three homers and 12 RBIs. Parmelee has had two three-hit games since being called up from Double-A New Britain on Sept. 6.
ABOUT THE INDIANS (80-78): Cleveland's pitching staff has been throwing strikes all season. The Indians have issued just 452 walks, the third-lowest total in the league. The ability to throw quality pitches in the strike zone and keep runners off the bases on free passes has helped the pitchers, especially since most of them aren't overpowering.
FINAL PITCH: Indians rookies Zach Putnam and Nick Hagadone both earned their first major league victories in Saturday's doubleheader.