The Cleveland Indians hope to complete an all-important, game home sweep of the American League Central rival Minnesota Twins this afternoon at Progressive Field.
Kevin Slowey will make his first start of the season today for Minnesota, as he take's the rotation spot of the injured Scott Baker. Slowey has 82 career starts for the Twins and has posted a 4.42 ERA in those outings. The righty opened this season in the bullpen and owns a 4.91 ERA. He has yet to figure in a decision in 2011.
Slowey is 6-2 in his career versus Cleveland with a 3.52 ERA.
Slated to oppose Slowey for Cleveland is David Huff, who has been recalled from Triple-A Columbus. Huff was sent down after the team acquired Ubaldo Jimenez in a trade with Colorado, but an injury to Carlos Carrasco opened the door for the lefty's return to the majors. He is 1-1 with the Indians this season with a stellar 0.51 ERA, yielding a mere one earned run in 17 2/3 innings of action, and he posted a 9-3 record with a 3.87 ERA in the minors.
On Saturday, Asdrubal Cabrera's three-run homer in the third inning was all the offense the Indians needed in a 3-1 victory over the Twins.
Cleveland had 10 hits and two walks, and most of them didn't lead to runs. But after Shin-Soo Choo began the third inning with a walk, Jason Donald singled and Cabrera blasted a shot to left to help his team beat Minnesota for a second straight game.
The Indians edged the Twins, 3-2, in the series opener Friday.
Cabrera's home run also continued his career year. It was his 20th of the season and gave him 71 RBI -- both career highs. The infielder had never hit more than six homers in a season prior to 2011.
"It's impressive, and it's due to maturity and the type of leadership he's developing now," Indians manager Manny Acta said of Cabrera. "It comes with it; guys that learn how to play through pain and show their teammates how they're going to be out there every single day no matter what. He's done that for us."
His latest shot provided the decisive runs thanks to a strong start by Josh Tomlin (12-5), who allowed only one run in 6 1/3 innings. The right-hander threw just 84 pitches -- 57 for strikes -- in another efficient outing.
Tomlin hasn't exceeded 100 pitches in his last 14 starts, but has still averaged more than six innings over the stretch.
Saturday's victory was the 60th of the season for Cleveland. Last year, the club didn't win its 60th game until September 16.
Minnesota's Brian Duensing (8-11) took his third consecutive loss after allowing Cabrera's homer.
Cleveland remains three games back of Detroit for AL Central supremacy, while Minnesota is 12 games off the pace after losing for the fourth time in its past six versus the Indians.
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