Twins rest regulars, roll for sweep of Tribe

Associated Press

MINNEAPOLIS

A division title secured, the Minnesota Twins are not letting up.

The Twins rested most of their regulars and beat the Cleveland Indians 5-1 Wednesday behind the pitching of Nick Blackburn to complete a three-game sweep.

Minnesota, which clinched its sixth AL Central title in nine years late Tuesday, started the day one game behind the New York Yankees for best home record in the league.

“With home-field advantage still at stake, these guys are going to play,” manager Ron Gardenhire said. “It doesn’t matter who I put out there, you’re going to get a great effort.

“That’s the way is around here. ... I expect that of all of them and I think they expect that of themselves.”

Blackburn (10-10) became the sixth Minnesota pitcher to reach double digits in victories, allowing one run and five hits in seven innings.

Jose Morales drove in three runs and Alexei Casilla had three hits for Minnesota, which has won nine of 11 and improved its record at new Target Field to 52-25. The Twins have sold out 74 straight home games and set a season home attendance record with 3,063,327, topping their 1988 mark.

Carlos Carrasco (1-1) allowed three runs and six hits in six innings for Cleveland, which lost its 90th game.

Gardenhire said Francisco Liriano will get the start when Minnesota opens the AL playoffs next month.

“He’s been winging it pretty good,” Gardenhire said.

Liriano is 14-8 with a 3.44 ERA in 29 starts, including 6-1 in his past 10. The left-hander will have six days’ rest between his final regular season and first playoff starts.

Former Indian Carl Pavano is scheduled to pitch Game 2, followed by Brian Duensing. Blackburn will be the fourth starter if the Twins use a four-man rotation.

“I’m not going to be mad if I don’t make the rotation, I’ll just be disappointed in what led up to me not being there,” said Blackburn, who retired his last 13 batters.