CLEVELAND – The Indians’ youth movement again paid dividends Saturday in their day/night doubleheader with the Minnesota Twins.
In the opener, right-handed reliever Zach Putnam earned his first major league victory as the Tribe poured it on late for an 8-2 win.
The second game saw fellow rookie Nick Hagadone accomplish the same feat when Cleveland scored seven straight runs to steal a 7-6 victory. It was the biggest comeback of the year for the Indians, who have won eight straight over the Twins.
“It was a long, but productive day,” said Tribe manager Manny Acta, whose squad is 80-78. “It’s especially nice to see two kids getting their first wins on the major league level on the same day.
“Obviously we’re disappointed that we’re not going to the playoffs, but what’s gone on this season is definitely a step in the right direction.”
It also was a memorable day for left fielder Shelley Duncan, who knocked in three runs in each game and had both game-winning RBIs. The journeyman went 3-for-7 with one run, two doubles and a home run.
“Shelley continues to be a huge force offensively for us,” Acta said. “He’s made the most of the opportunities he’s been given this year, and he looks very confident out there every day.”
Tribe right-hander Mitch Talbot got rocked in his return from the minors, allowing six runs, nine hits and four walks in 5 1/3 innings in the second game. He exited with the Tribe trailing 6-0, but was taken off the hook when it scored seven runs over the next two innings.
“I felt a little out of whack tonight, not fluid is maybe the best way to put it,” said Talbot, whose final stats were a 2-6 record with a 6.64 ERA. “I definitely didn’t want it to happen, but unfortunately, it did.”
Cleveland’s bullpen followed with 3 2/3 scoreless innings as lefty Hagadone (1-0, 4.82 ERA) recorded three outs to pick up the win. All-Star closer Chris Perez locked down his 36th save.
“Again tonight, our bullpen was outstanding,” Acta said. “Hagadone threw the ball the best he has here so far, and Chris has been fantastic for us all season. I don’t know if anyone in baseball has more one-run saves than Chris, but he’s been nails in those situations.”
The Indians did suffer a pair of injuries as center fielder Trevor Crowe strained his right shoulder in Game 1, and shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera’s sore right elbow flared up in Game 2.
The day started on a good note for the Tribe as David Huff struck out a career-high seven and didn’t permit a walk in 5 2/3 strong innings. The lefty was aggressive and accurate with his fastball, throwing 67 strikes in a 101-pitch outing.
“From where I was at the beginning of the season to now, I’ve made some great strides,” said Huff, who finished the year with a career-low 4.09 ERA and 2-6 record. “(The Indians) have told me I’ll be fighting for a spot in the rotation next year, which is what I’ve been doing for three years. I look forward to it.”
Putnam (1-1, 6.35 ERA) replaced Huff with two outs in the sixth and tossed
1 1/3 scoreless innings. He earned the victory when the Tribe broke a 2-2 tie by torching Minnesota reliever Francisco Liriano (9-10, 5.09 ERA) for five runs.
“I feel awesome, and I’m glad I was able to contribute to the team getting a win,” said Putnam, who was Cleveland’s fifth-round draft pick in 2008. “This is such a great situation to be in because we’ve got a lot of good guys in this clubhouse. I’m just trying to pitch in.”
Contact Brian Dulik at brisports@hotmail.com.
TODAY
• WHO: Cleveland vs. Minnesota
• TIME: 1:05
• WHERE: Progressive Field
• PITCHERS: Carmona (7-15, 5.23 ERA) vs. Hendriks (0-2, 6.23)
• TV/RADIO: SportsTime Ohio; WEOL 930-AM, WTAM 1100-AM
