Twins Keep Indians On Beaten Path

Ben Francisco and Kelly Shoppach each hit their seventh homers for the Indians, who lost their sixth in a row, 12-3, to the Minnesota Twins. Earlier in the day, the Indians designated for assignment Joe Borowski and Rick Bauer. Called up from Buffalo, Jensen Lewis and Brian Slocum pitched much like the guys they replaced, giving up six runs after Tribe starter Paul Byrd had allowed six runs.

Byrd (3-10, 5.53 ERA) walked three and gave up eight hits over 5 1/3 innings.

Lewis (4.22 ERA) then gave up two runs over 1 1/3 innings, though he did strike out three.

Slocum, who missed much of 2007 with a sore arm, made his first appearance with the Indians since eight late-season outings in 2006. He gave up four runs and five hits in only two-thirds of an inning.

Shoppach (.264) went 3-for-3 with his second homer in three games. He has hit safely in 11 of his last 12 games, going 15-for-41 (.366)

Nick Punto and Delmon Young both hit a homer and had four RBI for the Twins, winners of 14 of their last 16.

Byrd is 1-7 in his last nine starts since May 21.