Indians hand Twins their first loss of spring training

FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) -- Jim Thome homered, and Russell Branyan had two RBIs to lead the Cleveland Indians past the Minnesota Twins 6-3 Friday.

After winning their first three by a total of 25-4, the Twins lost their first spring game under new manager Ron Gardenhire.

After yielding just one extra-base hit in their first two home games, Minnesota's relief pitchers had trouble with their control. They issued seven walks and hit two batters.

Cleveland scored used five hits and six walks to score five runs in the fifth through seventh innings against loser Kevin Frederick and Grant Balfour.

Dustan Mohr, one of five candidates to start in right field for Minnesota, went 4-for-4 with two RBIs. Michael Restovich, another competitor for the job, went 2-for-4 with two runs scored.

Minnesota starter Joe Mays' only mistake was a 2-2 pitch Thome hit over the left-field wall to lead off the second inning.

Indians starter Danys Baez gave up three straight singles to start the second but escaped with only one run by striking out the side. Tim Drew picked up the win in relief with two scoreless innings.

Mohr doubled leading off the seventh and later scored on Cleveland second baseman Bill Selby's error. But Denny Hocking lined into an inning-ending double play.

Mohr drove in Restovich in the eighth with another double that cut Cleveland's lead to 6-3.

Cleveland 010 012 200 -- 6 6 2

Minnesota 010 000 110 -- 3 11 1

Baez, Drew (3), Mercedes (5), Riggan (7), Radinsky (8), Riske (9) and Diaz, Martinez (6); Mays, Wells (3), Frederick (5), Balfour (6), Romero (8) and Smith, LeCroy (5), Valentin (8). W--Drew. L--Frederick. HR--Cleveland, Thome (1).