Sun Jul 6 18:07:55 2008

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Twins rally to top Indians, complete sweep

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Minneapolis, MN (Sports Network) - Carlos Gomez knocked in the go-ahead run as part of a three-run seventh inning as the Minnesota Twins came back to edge the Cleveland Indians, 4-3, sweeping the three-game set at the Metrodome.

Nick Punto had an RBI single and Brendan Harris added a single and scored the winning run for the Twins, who have won five straight and 16 of their last 18 games.

Glen Perkins (5-2) picked up the win, tossing seven solid innings. He allowed three runs on seven hits, while striking out three and walking a batter. Joe Nathan, who was selected to play in the 79th All-Star Game on July 15th at Yankee Stadium, picked up his 25th save of the season.

Jhonny Peralta hit a two-run homer for Cleveland, which has dropped eight straight and 11 of 13.

Cliff Lee (11-2) suffered the loss. The crafty left-hander, who will represent the Indians in the All-Star Game, surrendered four runs on six hits over seven frames.

"Making the All-Star team is kind of icing on the cake," Lee said. "I've been pretty fortunate this year and things have gone my way quite a bit. I Wish I could have helped the team a little more today."

With the Indians holding a 3-1 advantage after 6 1/2 innings, the Twins responded with three in the home half of the seventh. Craig Monroe reached with a one-out walk and Delmon Young followed with a single. Harris' base hit loaded the bases before Punto knocked in a run with a base hit. Denard Span's free pass forced in another to tie the game and Gomez's grounder to third plated Harris with the go-ahead run, putting Minnesota up 4-3.

Matt Guerrier pitched a 1-2-3 eighth in relief of Perkins and Nathan came on for the ninth. He set the Indians down in order to preserve the win for the Twins.

"For some reason, the way we are playing now, even though we get down, we feel like somebody is going to step up," Span said. "I think we all stepped up collectively tonight."

After a scoreless first inning, Kelly Shoppach roped a one-out double to right and came around to score when Ryan Garko bounced a single up the middle to put the Indians in front 1-0.

Both starters settled and didn't allow many scoring opportunities, but Cleveland tacked on two more in the top of the sixth. After Ben Francisco reached on a soft single to left, Peralta stepped up and hammered a 1-0 fastball over the left field wall.

Alexi Casilla's RBI ground out in the bottom of the frame plated Span, who led off with a triple to cut the Twins' deficit to 3-1.

Game Notes

Minnesota starts a seven-game road trip when it plays at Boston on Monday night, while the Indians head to Detroit for a brief two-game set against the Tigers on Tuesday...Minnesota is 6-3 against Cleveland so far in 2008, with the Twins taking two of three from the Indians in Minnesota back in April...Cleveland went 7-2 at the Metrodome during its march to the division title last year...catcher Joe Mauer and first baseman Justin Morneau were also selected to represent the Twins and the American League in the All-Star Game...Grady Sizemore received All-Star honors for the Indians.