While the Twins celebrated their stunning, come-from-behind victory on Tuesday night at Target Field, the Indians' All-Star closer, Chris Perez, stormed into the dugout.
The burly right-hander threw his glove and slammed a bucket full of bubble gum against the wall as he vented his obvious frustration.
And Perez had ample reason to be angry.
The Tribe's stopper has been brilliant this season, but his inablility to finish this particular 9th inning robbed the Indians of a chance to build on Monday's doubleheader sweep.
Alexi Casilla was retired to begin the bottom of the 9th, but Minnesota refused to wave the proverbial white flag. Aided by a couple of questionable calls, Joe Mauer worked a 1-out walk. Michael Cuddyer then flaired a double down the left field line, advancing the tying run to 3rd base and the winning run to 2nd. Jim Thome was intentionally walked before Danny Valencia hit a 2-run, walk-off single to left. Luis Valbuena, an inexperienced outfielder replacing the injured Travis Buck and the ill Michael Brantley, tenatively played Valencia's soft line drive. However, even an aggressive approach probably would not have saved Perez and the Indians.
Valencia's heroics ruined Justin Masterson's dominant outing. Masterson tossed 7 2/3 scoreless frames, and he whiffed 5 batters. A pitch count of 104 and a temperature of 94 degrees convinced Manny Acta to make a pitching change in the last of the 8th. Masterson may have been able to pitch his 1st complete game shutout of the year, but a fresh Chris Perez is usually a safer bet than a weary Justin Masterson.
Cleveland scored its lone tally in the 5th. Lou Marson singled, Travis Buck was hit in the head by a pitch, leading to the insertion of Valbuena, and Ezequiel Carrera singled to load the bases. Asdrubal Cabrera's sacrifice fly plated Marson. Unfortunately, the Indians' offense was quiet after that.
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| Masterson deserved a W |
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