Cal Quantrill allowed one run over a career-high 7 2/3 innings to lift the host Cleveland Indians to a 4-1 victory over the Minnesota Twins on Thursday.
Franmil Reyes belted his career-best 28th homer and Oscar Mercado and Jose Ramirez each launched a solo shot for the Indians (69-69), who salvaged the finale of their four-game series. The win was just Cleveland’s second in seven contests.
Miguel Sano homered to lead off the second inning for the Twins (62-78), who saw their four-game winning streak come to a halt.
Quantrill (5-3) overcame Sano’s 26th homer of the season and second in as many games to allow just three other hits while striking out five batters. Quantrill rebounded from surrendering three homers and five runs in his last outing with a strong performance on Thursday.
Blake Parker relieved Quantrill and induced Luis Arraez to ground into a fielder’s choice to end the eighth inning. Emmanuel Clase retired the side in order in the ninth to secure his 22nd save of the season.
Cleveland ended a 25-inning scoring drought after seizing a 2-1 lead in the third inning.
Myles Straw worked a walk before Reyes followed three batters later by sending a 1-0 fastball from Andrew Albers (1-2) over the wall in center field. It was Reyes’ fourth home run in six games.
Mercado made his presence felt in the fourth, first with a difficult catch at the warning track in right field, then with his bat. He crushed a 1-1 fastball from Albers to left for his fourth homer of the season.
Ramirez led off the seventh inning by sending a 2-2 fastball from Ralph Garza Jr. over the wall in right field. Ramirez’s team-leading 33rd homer gave the Indians a 4-1 lead.
Albers was recalled from Triple-A St. Paul on Thursday afternoon to make the start in place of right-hander Randy Dobnak, who was placed on the injured list with a strained right middle finger.
–Field Level Media