Clutch Kip: Tribe walks off in 10th vs. Twins

CLEVELAND — It took until the 10th for the Indians to finally get on the board, but that was all they needed in a 1-0 walk-off win over the Twins in Monday’s series opener at Progressive Field. It was the Tribe’s eighth walk-off of the season. With the loss, the Twins’ season-long slump extended to 11 games.

After the offense sputtered through nine frames, the Tribe opened its half of the first inning of free baseball with a bunt single by Abraham Almonte. The next two batters were unable to get a sacrifice bunt down, but they reached on a single and a fielder’s choice to set the stage for Jason Kipnis, who drove in the winning run with an RBI single into left-center. It was the first 1-0 walk-off win for the Indians in extras since July 23, 1992, against Kansas City.

The Indians scored more than one run just once during a 2-5 road trip, but for the first game of a 10-game homestand, one run was enough to increase their record to 34-17 within the American League Central. Minnesota is now 8-6 against Cleveland this year.

Neither starter factored into the decision despite scoreless showings. Tribe right-hander Trevor Bauer spun six frames, in which he allowed five hits and logged four strikeouts compared to one walk. Twins lefty Hector Santiago allowed just three hits across 6 1/3 innings with two punchouts and four free passes.

MOMENTS THAT MATTEREDBrilliant bullpen: The Tribe relievers picked up right where Bauer left off. Lefty Andrew Miller got out of the seventh inning unscathed with a pair of strikeouts to leave runners stranded at the corners. Bryan Shaw sat down the only two …

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