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Indians blank Twins, snap streaks
AP
Photo
Minnesota Twins shortstop Alexi Casilla throws to first base after getting Cleveland Indians' Asdrubal Cabrera out at second base in the first inning in a baseball game, Tuesday, June 7, 2011, in Cleveland. Carlos Santana was out at first base for the double play. The Indians won 1-0. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)
Associated Press
CLEVELAND
Carlos Carrasco got the Cleveland Indians back on track exactly the way they took command in the AL Central — with strong pitching.
Carrasco (5-3) took a shutout into the ninth inning and the Indians pushed across an unearned run to defeat the Minnesota Twins 1-0 Tuesday night, ending a season-high five-game losing streak.
“Over the years, I have discovered a shutout is the best way to stop a losing streak,” manager Manny Acta said with a sly smile.
Carrasco gave up three hits, struck out six and walked one over 8 1/3 innings as Cleveland avoided its first eight-game losing streak ever at Progressive Field. The Indians opened the year 14-2 at home. They have not lost eight in a row at home since June 8-21, 1975, at old Cleveland Stadium.
“Awesome, man,” second baseman Orlando Cabrera said. “Carlos was really good, so was the defense and we got a win.”
Chris Perez replaced Carrasco after Ben Revere slapped a one-out single through the hole at shortstop in the ninth. Revere took second on a weak groundout by Alexi Casilla before Perez got Michael Cuddyer on a called third strike for his 15th save in 16 chances.
“Shame on me if I let the kid lose the ballgame after the way he pitched,” Acta said about replacing Carrasco. “I wanted to give him a chance for the complete game, but he had to go 1-2-3 [in the ninth]. You have a closer for a reason.”
Cuddyer strongly disagreed with the final call.
“I didn’t think that pitch was a strike at all,” said Cuddyer, who whirled around and got into the face of plate umpire Adrian Johnson. “I thought it was off the plate.”