Sanó, Cruz homer as Twins turn back Indians in opener

Miguel Sanó hit a two-run homer and Nelson Cruz connected for a solo shot to lead the injury-riddled Minnesota Twins to a 3-2 win over the host Cleveland Indians on Monday night in the opener of a three-game series between the AL Central’s top teams.

Sanó homered in the sixth inning off Aaron Civale (3-3) as the Twins hit the halfway point of this 60-game season in the same place they ended 2019. Minnesota stopped Cleveland’s three-year reign atop the division last year.

The Twins, who have several regulars and two starting pitchers on the injured list, lead the Indians by 21/2 games.

Kenta Maeda (4-0) gave up a leadoff homer in the first to César Hernández and then dodged trouble for the next four before turning it over to Minnesota’s bullpen.

Carlos Santana’s two-out RBI single in the seventh off Trevor May cut the Twins lead to lead to 3-2. But the right-hander struck out slugger Franmil Reyes with runners at the corners to end the threat.

CUBS 9, TIGERS 3 >> Javier Baez hit a pair of homers and drove in three runs, and visiting Chicago downed Detroit. David Bote had three hits, including a homer, and drove in four runs for Chicago. The Cubs were playing the opener of a 10-game road trip.

BLUE JAYS 6, RAYS 4 >> Randal Grichuk hit a three-run homer in the seventh inning, lifting Toronto to the road win. Reliever Aaron Loup (3-2) replaced Edgar García with one on and one out. After Cavan Biggio reached on catcher’s interference, Grichuk gave Toronto a 5-3 lead with his seventh home run.

MARLINS 11, NATIONALS 8 >> Jesus Aguilar produced three RBIs — two on a double in Miami’s six-run fourth inning — and the Marlins defeated Washington on the road.