Hunter lifts Twins in 9th

Indians’ walk-off hopes dashed when Sands whiffs

Associated Press

CLEVELAND

The Indians’ focus is firmly on the future after trading Michael Bourn and Nick Swisher.

Their present isn’t nearly as appealing.

Torii Hunter hit a solo home run off Bryan Shaw with one out in the ninth inning Friday, giving the Minnesota Twins a 10-9 victory over Cleveland.

Trevor May (8-7) pitched a scoreless eighth for the Twins, and Glen Perkins worked out of trouble in the ninth for his 30th save.

Carlos Santana drew a one-out walk and pinch-hitter Ryan Raburn singled with two outs, but Jerry Sands struck out on three pitches to end the game.

The loss — roughly seven hours after the veteran outfielders were dealt to Atlanta — dropped the Indians to a season-low 10 games below .500.

“We got to a point where you feel like you need to look at other guys,” said Cleveland manager Terry Francona, whose team is last in the American League Central Division with a 49-59 record.

“When you come to that conclusion, to be totally honest about it, you can’t snap your fingers. They had big contracts. [General manager Chris Antonetti] did what he could, which was pretty awesome.”

The Braves swapped third baseman Chris Johnson for Swisher and Bourn, who will make a combined $29 million in 2016. Johnson is guaranteed $23.5 million over the next four years, prompting the Indians to include cash in the transaction.

Cleveland began looking ahead last month by trading outfielders David Murphy and Brandon Moss.

“We can stay neutral or we can go backwards,” Francona said. “None of those are very good options. Or we can take what’s been thrown at us and try to get better, and learn and figure out how we want to be as a team. We want to move forward.”

Catcher Yan Gomes tied his career high with four RBIs, including a three-run homer that gave Cleveland a 9-7 lead in the fourth. Left fielder Michael Brantley drove in three runs, while rookie third baseman Giovanny Urshela had three hits and scored twice.

The Indians trailed 6-0 after right-hander Cody Anderson allowed six runs in a season-low tying 22/3 innings. Minnesota scored one run apiece off Jeff Manship and Zach McAllister to tie the game at 9-9.

It remained that way until Shaw (1-2) gave up Hunter’s 21st career homer at Progressive Field.

“It was amazing the way the team came back,” said Anderson, who is 0-2 with a 10.19 ERA in his last four starts. “If I had done my job, those guys would have earned the win.”

Cleveland has the worst home record in the majors at 20-33, including a 2-16 mark in series openers.

“It had a chance to be a long night, but the comeback was really good,” Francona said. “If wasn’t fun to lose, but it was fun to play it out.”

Johnson, who batted .235 in 56 games with Atlanta, will join the Indians on today. The 30-year-old righty is expected to play first base and right field.