Cleveland Indians: Perseverance Gives Indians 6th Straight Win

7 - 20 - 10     at Minnesota     W, 4 - 3     40 - 54

     It appeared as if a bit of bad luck was going to ruin the Tribe's winning streak.  The Twins had picked up one cheap hit after another to tie the game in the 7th inning, and momentum seemed to be on the home team's side.  However, the Indians bounced back, regained the lead, and held on to secure their sixth consecutive win.
     Minnesota scored a run in the 1st thanks to some pretty poor defense turned in by Cleveland.  Jason Donald failed to get a good break on a line drive to second, and that resulted in a gift single.  And then, Matt LaPorta bobbled a grounder, costing him a chance at turning a double play.  Justin Masterson remained cool, though, and he was able to minimize the damage.
     In the 5th, the Tribe finally tied the game as Jason Donald ripped a two - out, RBI double to the wall in left field.
     The Indians followed that big hit up with another one in the 6th.  The bases were loaded and two men were out when Shelley Duncan hit a shot that landed right on the chalk down the left field line.  The ball kicked into foul territory, and the play wound up being a two - run single.
     The way Masterson was going, that should have been enough, but he and bullpen ran into some terrible misfortune in the 7th.  The Twins hit three seeing - eye groundball singles and one bloop base hit to score twice and tie the game.
     That phased the Indians for about five minutes.  Carlos Santana led off the top of the 8th with a walk and he scored when the next batter, Travis Hafner, roped a double up the alley in right - center.
    Joe Smith and Chris Perez were brilliant in the final two frames and the Tribe held on for the slim victory.