Indians fall to Twins in deflating 8–2 loss

A shot of Target Field from Friday, June 25, 2021. (Photo Credit: Miles Wilburn via Twitter: @Mwilburn123)

With a Saturday rainout, a four-game series became three and the Cleveland Indians looked to grab a victory against the Minnesota Twins in the Sunday rubber-match before traveling home for a seven-game home stand

The Twins chased Sam Hentges in front of his family and friends in a hometown start with an 8–2 win over the Tribe.

J.A. Happ stayed on schedule for his Sunday start, with Cesar Hernandez and Amed Rosario barreling the ball. Amed Rosario lofted a one-out double off the right field wall after Hernandez’s hit hung in the air for the first out.

Happ managed to retire the next two batters to end the inning.

Hentges allowed the first two batters to reach base. With Nelson Cruz at the plate, Hentges managed to get the grizzled slugger to roll over on a ball for a twin killer. Unfortunately for the young lefty, he allowed a two-out RBI single to Trevor Larnach before striking out Ryan Jeffers.

Hentges had more two out trouble an inning later, serving up a two out homer to Andrelton Simmons, the third long ball of the year for the veteran shortstop.

The Indians had a response in the top of the third, with Rene Rivera launching a solo-blast to the bullpens to bring the game within two runs.

Unfortunately, the Twins got the run scored by Rivera right back with Josh Donaldson demolishing a high fastball to the left field seats, giving the Twins a 4–1 edge.

Cruz continued the Twins two-out magic in the fourth inning by hitting a three-run shot off Justin Garza to the second deck, with two of the runs charged to Hentges.

Hentges struggled mightily, languishing his way through 3 ⅓ innings, giving up six hits and six runs, walking four batters and only striking out one. He tossed 72 pitches with only 38 strikes.

The Indians wouldn’t score again until the sixth, with Eddie Rosario knocking a single to left and plating Jose Ramirez to cut the deficit to 7–2, but Happ got out of the frame without any more damage.

Happ went six strong innings, giving up six hits and two runs, one off a home run. He struck out seven batters, throwing 102 pitches with 67 strikes without issuing a free pass.

Four straight walks with two outs in the bottom of the seventh by Phil Maton (three) and one by Kyle Nelson allowed another Twins runner to score.

It was a deflating afternoon for the Indians, who just might be wondering if these injuries will stop as they trek back home.

— — — Tidbits — — —

Josh Naylor goes down

Josh Naylor suffered a gruesome injury in the fourth inning coming in to grab a pop fly for an out before colliding with Ernie Clement. Naylor was taken off the field on a stretcher and later put into an air cast.

Manager Terry Francona says Naylor at least has a fracture and will continue to be evaluated at the hospital.

13 in a row

With the sixth inning RBI single, Eddie Rosario extended his hitting streak to 13 games.

Garza’s debut

While Justin Garza did serve up the three-run homer to Nelson Cruz, he managed to retire seven batters in a row in his first major league appearance.

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