Indians, Twins resume set in Minneapolis

Jeanmar Gomez aims to win his fourth straight start when the Indians resume their series against the Minnesota Twins this afternoon.

The 23-year-old right-hander has given up a total of three earned runs during his winning streak, which includes triumphs against the White Sox, Royals and Athletics. On September 9, he gave up six hits and a pair of runs over six frames at Chicago.

Gomez holds an 0-1 mark with a 6.43 ERA in three games (2 starts) when facing the Twins.

Countering for Minnesota today will be Anthony Swarzak, who is winless (0-3) in his last seven appearances. The right-hander's last victory came August 3 on the road against the Angels. This will be his ninth start and 25th outing of 2011. The Twins have lost the last seven games in which he's pitched.

Swarzak has lost all three of his career starts when facing the Indians, to the tune of a 9.00 ERA.

Cleveland drew first blood in this set on Friday, as Lonnie Chisenhall went 3-for-4 with two RBI, helping Cleveland to a 7-6 win.

Ubaldo Jimenez (4-2) allowed three runs -- one earned -- on five hits over 6 1/3 innings to grab the win. He walked three and struck out four.

Jim Thome and Carlos Santana both hit a solo home run for the Indians, who halted a three-game skid. Despite the win, the Indians were officially eliminated from the AL Central race with the Tigers' division-clinching victory over the Athletics on Friday.

For Thome, it marked a chance to return to Target Field after being signed by the Twins in the winter of 2010. He was traded to the Indians on August 25.

"Getting a chance to come here and play here for two years, it was very special," said Thome.

Kevin Slowey (0-6) surrendered five runs on seven hits over four innings to suffer his career-high sixth straight loss.

Ben Revere and Trevor Plouffe both knocked in a run in the bottom of the ninth, but Chris Perez settled to record his 33rd save of the season.

Revere went 2-for-4 with two RBI for the Twins, losers of six in a row and 11 of 12.

These teams have split 12 matchups this season.