Hunter’s Late Homer Lifts Twins Over Tribe

CLEVELAND, OH -- A clutch home run by Torii Hunter snapped the Minnesota Twins' five-game losing streak in a 10-9 with against the Cleveland Indians on Friday night.

It was a wild game as 10 runs were scored in the third inning between the two teams -- six by the Twins on RBI singles by Hunter and Eduardo Escobar, an RBI double by Trevor Plouffe, and an RBI triple by Eddie Rosario.

Rookie Miguel Sano added to the Twins' lead with an RBI double in the next inning.

But when it looked like a sure win for Minnesota, Twins starter Mike Pelfrey let the Indians back into the game -- surrendering seven runs in just 3 2/3 innings of work.

A home run by Cleveland's Yan Gomes off of Minnesota reliever A.J. Achter gave the Tribe a 9-7 lead before the fourth inning was over.

Other Twins relievers Brian Duensing, Casey Fien, and Trevor May were able to keep the Indians scoreless for the next four innings as Minnesota chipped away at the Indians' lead.

The Twins cut it to 9-8 in the fifth inning on an RBI double by Aaron Hicks and tied it in the sixth on Brian Dozier's 24th home run of the season.

In the top of the ninth, the 40-year-old Hunter connected for an opposite field solo home run -- his 18th of the season -- to give the Twins a 10-9 lead.

Struggling closer Glen Perkins came on in the bottom of the ninth and gave up a walk and a single, but struck out three to end the game and pick up his 30th save of 2015.

With the win, Minnesota improves to 55-54 on the season. The series continues tonight with Ervin Santana (2-2) taking the mound for the Twins against the Indians' Trevor Bauer (8-8) with a 6:10 p.m. start.