Cleveland @ Minnesota preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 8, 2012 ) Cleveland 0, Minnesota 3

The Minnesota Twins have two more games to pull themselves into a tie for fourth place. With the playoffs out of the realm of possibility, both the Twins and the Cleveland Indians can now focus their attention on other matters - such as avoiding the basement. Minnesota evened the four-game series on Saturday, pulling back to within two games of the Indians in fourth place. Esmerling Vasquez and Corey Kluber square off on Sunday.

Cleveland, which went 5-24 in August, got off to a hot start in September with wins in four of the first six games, including a 7-6 triumph in Friday’s opener. That marked the second time in 17 games that the Indians managed more than four runs. It was back to the low-scoring ways on Saturday, when Twins held Cleveland to four hits in a 3-0 setback. The win was a step forward for the Twins pitching staff, which had allowed an average of 6.5 runs in its previous six games.

TV: 2:10 p.m. ET, STO (Cleveland), FSNO (Minnesota)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Indians RH Corey Kluber (1-3, 4.79 ERA) vs. Twins RH Esmerling Vasquez (0-1, 7.94)

Kluber picked up his first major league win at Detroit on Monday, allowing two runs on six hits in six innings. The 26-year-old has yielded two earned runs or less in four of his seven starts. Kluber went six innings in a no decision against Minnesota on Aug. 7, surrendering three runs (one earned) and six hits in six innings.

Vasquez made his first start for Minnesota last Sunday at Kansas City and was pounded for five runs on seven hits in 5 2/3 innings. The 28-year-old Dominican native spent three seasons in the bullpen with the Arizona Diamondbacks before being deployed as a starter for the Twins. Vasquez has never faced the Indians.

WALK-OFFS

1. Twins OF Ben Revere stole two bases on Saturday, matching his total from the previous 12 games. He has 34 steals on the season.

2. Indians rookie Russ Canzler has hit safely in each of his six games since being recalled on Sept. 1.

3. Minnesota LF Josh Willingham drove in another run on Saturday and has 102 RBIs on the season - six in the last four games.