Minneapolis, MN (SportsNetwork.com) - Carlos Santana went 4-for-5 with two doubles and a solo home run while driving in two, as Cleveland topped Minnesota, 8-2, in the second portion of a three-game set.
Chris Dickerson and David Murphy also added two RBI apiece for the Indians, who had dropped two in a row including Monday's opener but have won five of seven overall.
Yan Gomes and Mike Aviles also knocked in runs for Cleveland.
Recalled from Triple-A prior to the contest, Danny Salazar (2-4) scattered six hits and one run while striking out six against three walks over five-plus innings.
"That was more of the stuff that we had come to appreciate last year," Indians manager Terry Francona said of Salazar. "If he is going to pitch like that and move forward with it, what a shot in the arm for us."
Yohan Pino (1-3) surrendered four runs on seven hits over 6 1/3 frames for the Twins, who have dropped four of their last five.
Brian Dozier homered and Sam Fuld was responsible for Minnesota's other run.
"We're getting the guys on base we can't come through with a two-out hit," said Dozier. "Myself included. To be a good offensive team you have to have the total package."
Cleveland shut the door on any Twins comeback hopes in the ninth, turning a two-run lead into an insurmountable six-run margin of victory.
Back-to-back doubles off Matt Guerrier, the last from Gomes, brought the Tribe's lead to 5-2. Jason Kipnis was walked later in the frame, stole second, then came in along with Gomes on Dickerson's line single. Michael Brantley's walk then preceded Santana's RBI double for the final 8-2 count.
The Indians got on the board in their second turn at the plate. Santana led off with a double, Lonnie Chisenhall was plunked and Nick Swisher added a single to load the bases. One out later, Murphy's base hit brought in the first two runners and an Aviles sacrifice fly made it 3-0.
In the home fourth, Oswaldo Arcia and Eduardo Escobar singled with one out to put runners on the corners before a Fuld fielder's choice grounder brought in Minnesota's first run.
Santana restored Cleveland's three-run edge with a two-out solo blast in the following frame, then Dozier's one-out shot to left brought the Twins within two once more.
Game Notes
Reigning AL player of the week Kipnis went 0-for-4 with a walk and a run scored ... Swisher finished 3-for-4 and crossed home twice ... Dozier's homer was his 19th of the season, setting a new franchise record for a second baseman.
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