Twins widen AL Central gap

CLEVELAND — Five pitchers combined to shut out the Indians and the Twins widened their lead in the AL Central with a 2-0 victory in the first game of Saturday’s daynight doubleheader.

The Twins went with a bullpen game in both ends of the doubleheader after Friday night’s game was postponed by rain in the third inning.

That strategy worked to perfection in the opener of the showdown series, and the Twins pulled ahead in the division by 41⁄2 games.

Zack Littell (5-0) relieved starter Devin Smeltzer in the fourth and struck out two in two innings. Taylor Rogers got the final five outs for his 26th save but had to work out of trouble in the eighth and ninth. Rogers relieved Sergio Romo with a runner on in the eighth and gave up a two-out single to Yasiel Puig but struck out Greg Allen.

The left-hander retired the first batter in the ninth but was charged with an error when he didn’t pick up Jason Kipnis’ slow roller. Rogers struck out Roberto Perez and Mike Freeman to end the game.

Jorge Polanco hit a tworun homer in the second off Mike Clevinger (11-3), who had won 10 consecutive decisions. Clevinger struck out 10 in eight innings but lost for the first time since June 28.

Polanco, the Twins’ shortstop, also cut off Cleveland’s best scoring threat in the third when he speared Carlos Santana’s line drive with the bases loaded to end the inning.

The series wraps up Sunday when the Twins send Jose Berrios against Shane Bieber in a matchup of All-Star pitchers.

Braves:

JASON MILLER/GETTY Max Kepler, left, slaps hands with Jorge Polanco after Polanco’s two-run homer.