Indians aim to extend streak over Twins

Though they fell short of reaching the playoffs for the game set.

The Indians haven't finished a season above the even mark since going 96-66 and reaching the American League Championship Series in 2007. A four-game win streak that was extended with yesterday's sweep of a doubleheader upped Cleveland's season record to 80-78 with four to play.

Shelly Duncan drove in a total of six runs in the doubleheader for the Indians, three in each win. After Cleveland won the first game, 8-2, it rallied from six runs down to capture the nightcap, 7-6.

"Long but productive day," said Cleveland manager Manny Acta. "Our offense really stepped up today and Duncan was fantastic. We were in a big hole today and we crawled out of it."

The Tribe's sweep gave it an 11-6 mark versus the Twins this season.

Drew Butera drove in three runs and scored twice in the second game for the Twins, who have won only three times in 22 games this month.

The first game got out of reach for the Twins when Francisco Liriano yielded five runs while recording only one out in the sixth inning.

"He felt great out there and that is what was key," said Twins manager Ron Gardenhire about Liriano. "We didn't want him out there throwing 50 pitches, but his arm felt great and he felt good so we'll see if we want to get him out there for another inning."

Minnesota will try to snap its slide to Cleveland today behind rookie Liam Hendriks in his fourth career start. The right-hander dropped his first two outings before getting a no-decision versus the Mariners on Tuesday.

Hendriks yielded four runs on 10 hits over 5 1/3 innings, including a game- tying homer in the sixth inning as the Twins went on to lose 5-4. The 22-year- old has a 6.23 earned run average through his three starts.

Fausto Carmona goes for the Indians and he won for the first time in seven starts on Tuesday as he held the White Sox to three runs on seven hits and two walks in six frames of a 4-3 triumph. It was his first win since Aug. 17 and snapped a three-decision slide.

"[Carmona] did a nice job of battling the whole time. You have to give him credit," Acta said.

The 27-year-old righty moved to 7-15 with a 5.23 ERA in 31 games this year, but that includes just a 3-8 mark and 5.40 ERA in 16 at home.

Carmona is 5-9 with a 5.01 ERA in his career versus the Twins and he beat them in the last meeting on July 18 with six innings of two-run ball.