Pavano rocked as Twins lose 7-1

CLEVELAND – Carl Pavano couldn't maintain Minnesota's momentum. And now, he may have to stop himself.

Pavano gave up a grand slam to Jason Kipnis and a two-run homer to Lonnie Chisenhall while being roughed up for 3 2-3 innings as the Twins had their winning streak stopped at three games Friday night with a 7-1 loss to the Cleveland Indians.

Pavanao (2-5) allowed six earned runs and nine hits in his shortest outing of the season. After dropping to 0-3 with an 8.25 ERA over his last five outings, the right-hander said he may need to go on the disabled list because of a sore shoulder.

"I'm hurting this team right now," Pavano said.

He'll talk with manager Ron Gardenhire and pitching coach Rick Anderson before a decision is made. However, Pavano seems resigned to needing time away to get better.

"I think it's come a time where some decisions need to be made," Pavano said. "This has gone on long enough. I wish I could say it's a rough patch. I feel like I'm really treading water right now. "It (going on the DL) is the last thing I want to do, but there comes a time when you're hurting the team and hurting yourself.

"You make to make a decision that hopefully puts you in a situation where you have more success. There's no doubt about it."

Derek Lowe (7-3) shook off taking a hard grounder off his right calf in the second inning and celebrated his 39th birthday by holding the Twins to six hits in 6 2-3 innings. Lowe carried a two-hit shutout into the seventh before the Twins scratched out a run on three hits.

The right-hander, who pitched a shutout at Minnesota on May 15, gave the Indians a much-needed quality start after a rough week for their starting rotation.

"I can't say enough about Derek," Indians manager Manny Acta said. "We really needed someone to step up and he was the right guy to do it. He's been our most consistent guy so far. He was huge for us."

Pavano couldn't match Lowe or keep the Twins headed in the right direction following a three-game sweep over Oakland. The Twins dropped to an AL-worst 18-33.

"We came in with some momentum and I just killed us right away." Pavano said. "By the third inning, we're down seven. That's no way to start a series. My stuff is definitely lacking right now. I'm not making good pitches. It's been like that for a while."

Gardenhire is aware of Pavano's problems, and knows the pitcher is laboring.

"It's been a struggle for him so far," Gardenhire said. "We'll see where we go from here. The late little movement he normally has with all his pitches (isn't there). Ultimately, it's got to be for seven or eight innings and I don't think he can go there right now."

It was difficult night all-around for the Twins and Gardenhire, who learned before the game of the death of long-time Minnesota radio personality Dark Star, whose real name was George Chapple. Gardenhire was close friends with Chapple, who was found dead at his home Friday.

"I've known him for quite a while," Gardenhire said. "He's a big Twins fan, always seemed to be on our side. We've lost a very good friend and a very good person in the Twin Cities who has entertained a lot of people. It was a very tough night going into the ballgame. We're all going to miss him dearly."

Catcher Ryan Doumit had three of Minnesota's six hits off Lowe, who has been especially tough at Progressive Field, going 4-1 with a 1.37 ERA in six starts.

With the Indians already leading 3-0 in the fourth, Pavano gave up two singles and a walk to load the bases. Twins pitching coach Rick Anderson then came out to visit Pavano, who gave up Kipnis' first career slam on his next pitch.

Pavano has been trying to work through his troubles, but hasn't found an answer.

"We've tried everything to remedy the situation, with staying off the mound, taking extra days and I wish the results were a lot better," Pavano said. "They've given me every opportunity to bounce back. I'm just not able to do it."

NOTES: Twins C Joe Mauer went 0 for 4 and his hitless in his last 10 at-bats. ... The Twins did not turn a double play, but came in leading the majors with 73. They're on pace to break the record held by the 1956 New York Yankees, who had 213. ... Minnesota has been held to one run or less 11 times this season.