Cleveland 8, Minnesota 2

Shelley Duncan drove in three runs - including a tie-breaking sacrifice fly in the sixth inning - as the Cleveland Indians cruised to an 8-2 win over the Minnesota Twins in the first game of a day-night doubleheader on Saturday.

The win was Cleveland's seventh straight over Minnesota, which has dropped 13 of 14. The Twins are 2-17 in their last 19 games and are three defeats away from their first 100-loss season since 1982.

The Indians broke a 2-2 tie with a six-run sixth inning when they sent 11 batters to the plate. Duncan, who had a two-run double in the fifth, put Cleveland ahead for good when his fly ball with the bases loaded scored Jason Kipnis.

Francisco Liriano (9-10) came out of the bullpen to start the sixth and allowed five runs in one-third of an inning.
 
Zach Putnam (1-1) pitched 1 1/3 innings for his first major-league win.

Cleveland pitchers struck out 13 and didn't issue a walk. Twins rookie first baseman Chris Parmelee struck out in all four at-bats.

Third baseman Danny Valencia and center fielder Denard Span were back in the lineup for the Twins. Both missed Friday's game after being involved in a minor car accident Thursday.

• Cleveland will play their next game at home against Minnesota. The Indians have a W/L % of .500 after a win and .506 after a loss.
• Minnesota will play their next game on the road against Cleveland. The Twins have a W/L % of .475 after a win and .323 after a loss.