Indians win fifth in a row, rout Minnesota

Combined dispatches

MINNEAPOLIS

Trevor Crowe drove in two runs and had a career-high four hits, and the Cleveland Indians collected a season-high 20 hits in their fifth straight win, 10-4 over the Minnesota Twins on Monday night.

Crowe and Jason Donald, two of the youngsters thrust into action in this rebuilding, injury-marred season for Cleveland, each drove in two runs to help the Indians start the second half 5-0 for the first time in history.

Scott Baker (7-9) surrendered 10 hits in 42/3 innings, increasing Minnesota’s concern about the rotation. After winning three out of four games from the first-place Chicago White Sox to cut the division lead to 11/2 games over the weekend, the Twins fell flat.

Morneau still hurting

The news isn’t encouraging for Twins first baseman Justin Morneau, who is trying to shake off the effects of a concussion suffered July 7 when he took a knee to the head while sliding into second base during a game in Toronto.

“We’re still at about the same place with him,” Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said.

Morneau, who did not come to Target Field on Monday to be examined as expected, feels fine in the morning but gets headaches as the day continues. Given his history of concussions — he’s had a few while playing youth hockey, in addition to being hit in the head by a pitch in 2005 — the Twins aren’t taking any chances with him.

Morneau will be examined by Dr. Steven Morgan of the Minneapolis Clinic of Neurology on Tuesday. He has missed nine games, as well as a chance to play in the All-Star game last week, since taking the blow.

Dr. Morgan, whose specialties include sports-related concussions, has worked with Vikings and Wild players in the past.