Mike Aviles’s two-out single in the ninth inning gave the Cleveland Indians a 4-3 victory over the Minnesota Twins on Wednesday night.
Asdrubal Cabrera led off the inning with a double against Casey Fien. The ball was hit over the head of infielder Eduardo Escobar, who misjudged the ball that landed on the warning track.
After Lonnie Chisenhall’s sacrifice bunt, Yan Gomes grounded out. Aviles hit a hard ground ball on a 1-1 pitch into center field for Cleveland’s first walk-off win of the season.
Cleveland’s players mobbed Aviles after he crossed first base. The Indians had 11 walk-off wins last season.
John Axford, who had allowed game-winning home runs in his previous two outings, survived a shaky ninth. He retired the first two hitters, but Danny Santana doubled down the right-field line. After Brian Dozier walked on a 3-2 pitch, third baseman Carlos Santana leaned into the stands to catch Sam Fuld’s foul popup.
