Another Tribe sweep has Twins’ reign on the ropes

Victor Martinez and Fausto Carmona were key
contributors in a 6-2 victory.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Twins’ reign atop the AL Central is all but over. After being swept twice by Cleveland in the last 10 games, they’re making way for the new kids in town.

Victor Martinez had two hits and two RBIs to back a quality start from Fausto Carmona, and the Indians beat Minnesota 6-2 Wednesday for their seventh straight win over the defending division champs.

“They’ve grown together, and now they’re ready to go,” Minnesota’s Torii Hunter said. “I wish them luck. They go on to the playoffs. Hopefully, they do well and bring it back home to the Central.”

Carmona (15-8) allowed two runs and eight hits in 71⁄3 innings to help the AL Central leaders to their 11th win in 12 games. Six of those victories have come against the Twins, who had won five in a row when they walked into Jacobs Field on Aug. 27 looking to cut into Cleveland’s 61⁄2-game lead in the division.

Plummeting

But the Twins were swept out of the Jake, split a series with Kansas City, and were swept again this week by Cleveland. Minnesota now trails the Indians by 121⁄2 games.

Cleveland began the day with a seven-game advantage over second-place Detroit. The Twins were eight games out of the wild-card spot.

“We’re going to have to have a lot of help,” Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said. “When you’re playing head-to-head against people and you don’t beat them, and they sweep you, that knocks your socks off a little bit. We’ve gotten ourselves in a very, very deep hole.”

Rafael Perez got five outs for his first major league save.

“We’ve got a good vibe right now,” said Cleveland’s Casey Blake, who had three hits. “It just seems like we’re playing pretty well in all areas of the game. And it’s nice to have some good energy going on.”

Baker takes loss

Twins starter Scott Baker (8-7) gave up three runs and 11 hits with six strikeouts in five innings, a resounding step back from his stellar outing on Friday against the Royals.

Baker carried a perfect game into the ninth in that one, and was two outs from a no-hitter when Mike Sweeney broke it up.

Grady Sizemore needed just two pitches to get the first hit off Baker, lining a single to center field to lead off the game. Baker then hit Asdrubal Cabrera in the back with a pitch and gave up an RBI double to Travis Hafner.

Martinez followed with another double to score two more runs, and it was 3-0 Indians before the smattering of Twins fans even got settled into their seats. It took Baker 27 pitches to get his first out of the game.