Kluber, Tribe mow down Twins

Starter strikes out 11 to stifle last-place team

Associated Press

Cleveland

The offense goes on two-week vacations, and Cleveland’s defense sometimes springs leaks. The starting rotation has been inconsistent, and until recently the bullpen’s had issues.

Over the past two months, though, the Indians have been able to count on one thing: Corey Kluber has been almost flawless.

Kluber struck out a season-high 11 and notched his seventh straight win, leading the Indians to an 8-4 victory on Wednesday night over the Minnesota Twins, whose losing streak has reached 13 games — one shy of tying the club record.

Unbeaten since July 3, Kluber (15-8) allowed three runs and six hits in eight solid innings. The right-hander is 7-0 with a 1.94 ERA in his last 10 starts, a stretch in which the Indians have seized control of the AL Central.

Carlos Santana and Roberto Perez homered off Pat Dean (1-5), and Jose Ramirez hit a two-run double during a five-run fifth as the AL Central-leading Indians swept the three-game series and extended the Twins’ sorry slide.

Minnesota is winless since Aug. 17, and the Twins’ skid — the lengthiest in the majors this season — is also the second-longest in team history. They also lost 13 in a row in 1961 and 1982, when they dropped 14 in a row.

Brian Dozier hit his 32nd homer and Max Kepler connected for his 16th for the Twins, who loaded the bases with two outs in the ninth off rookie Perci Garner, making his major league debut. Bryan Shaw came on and threw a wild pitch before striking out Dozier for his first save.

Indians acquire Crisp

The Cleveland Indians have added outfield depth by acquiring Coco Crisp in a trade with the Oakland Athletics.

The AL Central leaders sent pitcher Colt Hynes to the A’s for Crisp, who began his career with Cleveland in 2002. The 36-year-old gives the club another switch-hitter, more speed and postseason experience. The Indians also got more than $1.6 million from the Athletics.

The Indians were in the market for another outfielder after Michael Brantley had to undergo season-ending surgery and Abraham Almonte was disqualified from the postseason following a suspension for performance-enhancing drugs.