Twins top Tribe, gain in Central

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Nick Punto had three hits and two RBIs, and the Minnesota Twins gained ground in the AL Central with a 5-4 victory over the Cleveland Indians on Tuesday night.

Brian Buscher had a go-ahead RBI single in a two-run sixth inning and Jon Rauch (3-1) pitched 11‚Ñ3 innings of scoreless relief, helping the Twins pull within 41‚Ñ2 games of the Tigers, who lost to Kansas City, 11-1.

Buscher scored twice and drove in a run and Orlando Cabrera had two hits — including a solo home run — as Minnesota won its third straight game.

Joe Nathan gave up a one-out solo home run to Matt LaPorta in the ninth inning and walked Trevor Crowe with two outs, but got Michael Brantley to fly out for his 40th save in 45 chances.

Nathan reached 40 saves for the third time in his career and for the first time since recording 43 saves in 2005.

Fausto Carmona (3-11) fell to 1-5 since he was recalled from Triple-A Columbus on July 31. He allowed five runs on nine hits and three walks in 51‚Ñ3 innings.

Carmona, coming off a season-low outing in which he allowed five runs while only getting two outs to Texas on September 9, had some tough luck to start the decisive sixth inning.

Delmon Young’s leadoff chopper off the Metrodome turf stayed just high enough to tip off Jhonny Peralta’s glove and slowly rolled to the outfield for a double. Buscher followed with a single to bring Young home, and Buscher scored two batters later on Punto’s second RBI single of the night.

Punto also drove in Buscher in the fourth inning to cut what had been a 3-1 Indians lead to one run, and Cabrera’s solo home run leading off the fifth tied the score.

After Minnesota jumped ahead with consecutive singles from Denard Span, Cabrera and Joe Mauer to start the game, Cleveland took the lead with a three-run fourth inning off Twins starter Scott Baker — who entered the game 4-0 with a 0.93 ERA in four starts against the Indians in 2009. Peralta and LaPorta both singled home a run in the frame and Andy Marte added a sacrifice fly. But Baker would allow no more runs, striking out five in 51‚Ñ3 innings.

Ron Mahay, Rauch, Jose Mijares and Matt Guerrier combined for 22‚Ñ3 scoreless innings in relief.