Correia, Twins tame Tribe bats

Associated Press

MINNEAPOLIS

Kevin Correia threw six sharp innings for his first win in a month, Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau each had two hits and a walk, and Minnesota beat Cleveland 3-2 on Saturday night for its fourth-straight win.

Correia (7-6) allowed only three hits — one of them a two-run homer by Jason Kipnis — with one walk and three strikeouts.

The Indians entered the day 11/2 games behind Detroit in the AL Central and led 2-0 after Kipnis’ homer in the sixth.

But Corey Kluber — who had pitched five shutout innings up to that point — left the game with tightness in his left hip, and the Twins pounced on a couple of Cleveland infield miscues to take the lead.

The Indians have lost two straight after heading into the All-Star break with a four-game winning streak.

Cleveland’s lineup sputtered against Correia early, failing to reach base in the first three innings.

Kluber was just as good, though, not allowing a run for the second-consecutive start. Minnesota had base runners in each of the first three innings against Kluber, but the 27-year-old righty didn’t allow any of them past second.

Things turned in Minnesota’s favor when Rich Hill (1-2) came out for the sixth instead of Kluber, thanks in part to a bad throw from Lonnie Chisenhall at third.

With runners on second and third and no one out, Ryan Doumit reached on a fielder’s choice when Chisenhall tried to get Mauer at the plate. Chisenhall’s throw sailed past catcher Carlos Santana’s glove, and Mauer scored to start the rally.

Chris Colabello followed with his first-career RBI, and Clete Thomas reached base when Kipnis bobbled a double-play ball, allowing Doumit to score to put Minnesota up 3-2.

Brian Duensing, Jared Burton and Casey Fien combined for two scoreless innings, and Glen Perkins pitched the ninth for his 23rd save in 25 chances.

Notes

Twins manager Ron Gardenhire left the dugout due to illness.

Indians manager Terry Francona confirmed RHP Zach McAllister was “good to go” to start Tuesday at Seattle after missing six weeks with a sprained middle finger on his throwing hand. McAllister threw a bullpen session on Saturday. Asked if he views McAllister’s return as having the same impact as a mid-season trade to shore up the rotation, Francona said: “You can look at it like we’re getting a guy that we haven’t had. That’s actually a nice way to look at it.”

The Twins go for the sweep today when they send Scott Diamond (5-8) to the mound. Cleveland counters with Justin Masterson (10-7).

Royals 6, Tigers 5

KANSAS CITY, Mo.

Salvador Perez drove in three runs and Mike Moustakas went 3 for 4 with a game-winning home run to lead the Kansas City Royals over Detroit Tigers and Justin Verlander.

Verlander (10-7) had not lost to the Royals since Sept. 9, 2009, but gave up six runs, five earned, on eight hits and four walks in 52/3 innings. It was the seventh time in 21 starts that Verlander failed to make it into the sixth inning.

Moustakas homered to right in the fifth to snap a 5-5 tie.

Perez drove in a run in the first with a sacrifice fly and stroked a two-run double in the third.

Jeremy Guthrie (9-7) picked up the victory, surrendering five runs on 10 hits and two walks in six innings.

Greg Holland worked the ninth to collect his 24th save in 26 chances.