Francisco Lindor hit two doubles and two home runs , including the tiebreaking drive in the eighth that lifted Cleveland to a 9-8 victory over Minnesota on Thursday.
Lindor drove in four runs, Melky Cabrera had two RBIs and Jose Ramirez homered, too, for the Indians, who stretched their winning streak to a season-best six straight games. They survived another wobbly performance by their bullpen, until Cody Allen finished by getting the final four outs for his ninth save in 10 opportunities.
Indians starter Shane Bieber, the first player in franchise history to make his major league debut on his birthday, was gifted an 8-0 lead he took into the fifth. Robbie Grossman and Ryan LaMarre had RBI singles for the Twins. Then, Logan Morrison and Eduardo Escobar hit consecutive homers in the sixth to end Bieber’s night.
In the seventh, reliever Dan Otero left two runners on with one out. Eddie Rosario hit an RBI single off Jeff Beliveau. Miguel Sano then smashed a three-run home run into the right-field flower box against Zach McAllister to tie it.
The Twins lost for the seventh time in their last eight games. They’re 14-25 since leaving Puerto Rico on April 18 with a 16-inning win over the Indians.
