Mike Clevinger won his 10th straight decision, and Carlos Santana and Francisco Lindor homered as the Indians beat the Twins 5-2 on Sunday.
Cleveland, 1 1/2 games behind Oakland for the second wild card in the American League, moved back to 5 1/2 games behind Minnesota in the AL Central.
Clevinger (11-2) put Cleveland in a good spot on Sunday, allowing two runs and four hits with two walks and seven strikeouts in 6 1/3 innings.
The Twins brought the tying run to the plate with two outs in the ninth against closer Brad Hand. But thanks to an injury-riddled lineup, Ryan LaMarre — acquired earlier in the day in a trade with the Braves — was left to face Hand in his first major league plate appearance of the year.
LaMarre took a called third strike on a full-count pitch and Hand earned his 34th save.
The Twins got a solo home run from Mitch Garver — his third in two days and 29th of the season — in the fourth inning.
