The Indians Take Series from Twins in Playoff Battle

99 Cleveland comes in with nearly an identical record (17-14) as 06 Minnesota (17-13), as both teams hope to make the playoffs in a bunch-up AL race. Starting pitching is an issue for both clubs, but they can hit: Cleveland has a powerful lineup from top to bottom, while Minnesota features the fabled M&M boys (Mauer and Morneau).

Game One: Both teams hit the ball early in this one, with Cleveland holding a 6-3 lead after two and starters Scott Baker and Dave Burba getting hit hard. But then Cleveland keeps the bats going while Minnesota fails to score more runs the rest of the game. Cleveland wins going away, paced by a grand slam from the "power-hitting" Omar Vizquel and a three hit day with two RBIs from Jim Thome. Cleveland 14, Minnesota 3.

W: Burba (2-2)
L: Baker (0-2)

Game Two: Minnesota takes an early 2-0 lead in the first on three singles off Charlie Nagy, but Cleveland gets four singles off Brad Radke in the second to tie it, before Justin Morneau's double in the third gives Minnesota a 3-2 lead. Cleveland gets three more in the fourth, led by Manny Ramirez's two-run single, before Minnesota ties it at five on another Morneau double. It remains 5-5 after regulation, but in the bottom of the 10th, young Alex Ramirez, starting in leftfield in place of a resting Richie Sexson, launches a homer off Joe Nathan to win it for the Indians. Cleveland 6, Minnesota 5.

W: Jackson(1-2)
L: Nathan (1-2)

Game Three: Cleveland starts little-used Mark Langston in the second game of a doubleheader, and he is hit hard for seven runs in five innings, including back to back homers from Morneau and Torii Hunter. Morneau hits his second homer of the game later, his 9th, as Francisco Liriano and a trio of relievers finally hold down Cleveland's bats. Minnesota 8, Cleveland 4.

W: Liriano (4-2)
L: Langston (1-2)