Three-hour rain postpones Indians game

Associated Press

CLEVELAND

Rain kept Cleveland from a possible three-game sweep of the Minnesota Twins on Sunday, though the Indians still gained a half game in the AL Central race.

Despite having a 1-0 lead was washed away after two innings and waiting two hours, 55 minutes for umpires to call it, Cleveland moved within 21/2 games of first-place Detroit when the Tigers lost in Baltimore 8-5.

Cleveland went 4-1 on its homestand, winning two of three from the Tigers, then two in a row from the Twins.

No makeup date was announced, but manager Manny Acta knows the Indians are going to be very busy down the stretch as they try to overtake Detroit and stay ahead of third-place Chicago.

“The games are piling up,” Acta said. “It looks like we’ll probably have nine games in seven days.”

The Twins return to Cleveland on Sept. 23, when Sunday’s washout probably will be part of a day-night doubleheader — the third upcoming for the Indians.

Cleveland already must play a day-night doubleheader on Aug. 23 against Seattle, a single-game makeup against the Mariners on Sept. 19, and another day-nighter on Sept. 20 against the Chicago White Sox.

Acta hopes to have second baseman Jason Kipnis and outfielder Michael Brantley back by the time the Indians play three games in Chicago starting Tuesday and then go to Detroit on Friday for a three-game weekend set.

“We still have a month and a half left, but this week’s trip is important,” Acta said. “The rest gives them some time and they should be ready to go. Otherwise we have some decisions to make.”

Brantley appeared once as a pinch runner over the past four games because of a sore right wrist. Kipnis has not played since Friday because of a sore right side.

“He did it with all that diving around [making catches] in the 14-inning game Tuesday,” Acta said.

Kipnis had his right side taped Sunday and said that he has felt discomfort when he swings the bat, but believes he should be ready by Tuesday.

Cleveland has today off. The Indians only have two more open dates.