Kotchman’s walkoff single lifts Indians past Twins

Cleveland, OH, United States (4E Sports) – Casey Kotchman drove in a walkoff RBI single in the 10th inning as the Cleveland Indians claimed a 4-3 victory over the Minnesota Twins Thursday at Progressive Field.

Kotchman went 3-for-5 with two RBIs while Brent Lillibridge and Jack Hannahan drove in one run apiece for the Indians, who pulled the Twins to a last-place tie in the American League Central with identical 62-88 records.

Despite the loss, the Twins still took two of three in the series and finished the season with a 12-6 showing against the Indians.

Rookie Casey Kluber had a quality start for the Indians, limiting the Twins to three runs on five hits over six innings, striking out five and walking one but it was Esmil Rogers (3-1) who earned the win after pitching a scoreless 10th.

Minnesota struck for one run in the fourth inning, when Ben Revere singled, stole second base and later crossed home plate on a wild pitch from Kluber.

The Indians came back to take the lead with two runs in the bottom part of the fourth behind RBI singles by Kotchman and Lillibridge.

In the sixth, Denard Span added a run-scoring double in the fifth and Trevor Plouffe belted a solo home run off Kluber to give the Twins a 3-2 lead.

Jack Hannahan helped the Indians tie the count in the bottom part of the frame with an

RBI single to center field against reliever Kyle Waldrop.

Twins starter Esmerling Vasquez yielded three runs on six hits in 5 2/3 innings while Anthony Swarzak (3-5) was saddled with the loss after giving up Kotchmann’s game-winning hit.

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