Cleveland Indians: Huff's 5th Inning Woes Keep Tribe From Series Victory

8 - 8 - 10     vs. Minnesota     L, 5 - 4     47 - 65

     This may have been the biggest start in the young career of David Huff, and he completely flunked the test.  Given an early 4 - 0 lead, Huff not only could not hold it, but he also could not even make it through five innings.  And now, with Mitch Talbot set to return from the disabled list, Huff will probably be the odd man out in the Indians' rotation, and he will soon find himself back in AAA Columbus.
     After just two frames, it appeared as if the Tribe offense had done enough to merit a win, and along with that, a series triumph over the Twins.  In the 1st, Michael Brantley legged out a triple, Shin - Soo Choo singled him in, and Matt LaPorta cranked a two - run shot to the bleachers in left field.  Then, in the 2nd, Cleveland got another tally thanks to a Minnesota error.
     At this point, Huff was in cruise control.  He took a shutout into the 5th before the wheels came off.
     Huff walked the lead - off man and he paid for it dearly when Jim Thome cushed a two - run shot to right center.  Orlando Hudson's two - run double a few moments later, tied the game, and after another a walk, Manny Acta had seen enough.  Justin Germano was summoned from the Indians' bullpen, and he got the double play ball he was looking for, but Andy Marte bobbled it, limiting him to just the out at second base, while allowing the go - ahead run to score.
     In the end, Huff had allowed five runs, all of them earned, in just 4 1/3 frames, and the loss was his eleventh.
     The Tribe never threatened again as they never recovered from that 5th inning.