MINNEAPOLIS — Trevor Plouffe singled in Danny Santana in the 10th inning to give the Minnesota Twins a 5-4, comeback victory over Cleveland on Friday night, further damaging the Indians’ already slim playoff hopes.
Santana led off the inning with a single off Kyle Crockett (4-1) and advanced to third on Brian Dozier’s single to right-centre. Joe Mauer was intentionally walked to load the bases, and Crockett struck out rookie slugger Kennys Vargas, who homered in the game.
Josh Tomlin entered the game to face Plouffe, who dropped a two-strike pitch just in front of lunging centre-fielder Michael Bourn.
With Minnesota trailing 4-3 in the ninth, Kurt Suzuki hit a one-out double off closer Cody Allen and was replaced by pinch-runner Eduardo Nunez. Nunez moved to third on Oswaldo Arcia’s single and scored to tie it when Aaron Hicks grounded into a fielder’s choice.
Jared Burton (3-5) stranded Michael Brantley at second base to end the top of the 10th.
Michael Brantley homered and Lonnie Chisenhall had two hits and an RBI for Cleveland, which entered the night four games out of the final AL wild-card spot.
Oswaldo Arcia homered for Minnesota in the third off Trevor Bauer. It was Arcia’s fourth homer this season off Bauer.
Josh Tomlin was the eighth reliever by Cleveland, which set an American League record during the game by going to the bullpen 547 times this season.
Detroit and Kansas City sit atop the AL Central and play a three-game series this weekend. Cleveland needs one of those teams to sweep the other, then some help from Oakland and Seattle in order to sneak into the playoffs.
TRAINER’S ROOM
TWINS: All-Star closer Glen Perkins has been shut down for the season with a strain and nerve irritation in his left forearm. Twins GM Terry Ryan said Perkins should be ready in plenty of time for spring training after an off-season strengthening and maintenance program.
Ryan said SS Eduardo Escobar should return from a jammed shoulder in the next couple of days.
INDIANS: 2B Jason Kipnis missed the game with a sore right hamstring. Francona said Kipnis could be back for Saturday’s game.
OF Ryan Raburn underwent surgery on his left knee Friday to repair a lateral meniscus tear, ending his season. He hit .200 with four homers and 22 RBIs after signing a two-year, $4.85 million contract extension in the off-season.
UP NEXT
Twins’ rookie Trevor May (3-4, 7.71) will try to win his fourth straight after losing the first four starts of his career.
T.J. House (3-3, 3.42) will make his 17th career start. He’ll be pitching on nine days rest and is 2-0 with a 1.56 ERA against the Twins.
