Twins defeat Indians; rookie Redman throws near-shutout

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- It was the sort of game the Cleveland Indians were used to winning. Only this time, they didn't.

Minnesota rookie left-hander Mark Redman came within two outs of his first professional shutout as the Twins edged the Indians 2-1 Friday night.

Redman (8-4) had allowed only one runner past first base until Manny Ramirez hit his 19th homer with one out in the ninth.

"It's an indication, I hope, of things to come," said Redman, who leads AL rookie pitchers in victories, strikeouts, and innings pitched. But the rookie had to watch anxiously as reliever LaTroy Hawkins gave up a single to Travis Fryman and a double to Richie Sexson before getting the final two outs to earn his seventh save.

"Redman deserved the win," interim Minnesota manager Ron Gardenhire said. "They still have some very good hitters and he went straight at 'em. Our young pitchers are starting to come around nicely."

Bartolo Colon (9-7) gave up eight hits in a complete game for the Indians, who lost their third in a row.

Redman gave up six hits, struck out six and walked one. The left-hander has won three straight starts and four of his last five decisions.

"I threw more curves than usual and I got a lot of early strikes," Redman said. "They have good hitters, but they're not Babe Ruth at the plate."

"He changed speeds well," said Cleveland manager Charlie Manuel of Redman, who is 2-0 with a 1.35 ERA in two starts against the Indians. "He was hitting the corners well and stayed ahead in the count most of the night."

CLEVELAND MINNESOTA

ab r h bi ab r h bi

Lofton cf 3 0 0 0 CGzmn ss 4 0 1 0

Vizquel ss 4 0 1 0 Hcking 2b 3 0 1 0

Thome 1b 4 0 1 0 Lawton lf 4 1 2 0

MRmrz dh 4 1 1 1 Coomer 1b 4 0 1 0

Frymn 3b 4 0 3 0 DOrtiz dh 4 1 2 1

Sexson lf 3 0 1 0 Koskie 3b 3 0 1 1

ARRmz rf 4 0 0 0 Allen rf 4 0 0 0

EADiaz c 3 0 0 0 JJones cf 2 0 0 0

Brnyan ph 1 0 0 0 Moeller c 2 0 0 0

JolCbra 2b 3 0 1 0

Totals 33 1 8 1 Totals 30 2 8 2

Cleveland 000 000 001 -- 1

Minnesota 000 101 00x -- 2

DP--Cleveland 2, Minnesota 1. LOB--Cleveland 7, Minnesota 9. 2B--Sexson (14), JolCabrera (2), Lawton (29), Koskie (19). HR--MRamirez (19). S--Lofton.

IP H R ER BB SO

Cleveland

Colon L,9-7 8 8 2 2 5 4

Minnesota

Redman W,8-4 8 1-3 6 1 1 1 6

Hawkins S,7 2-3 2 0 0 0 1

Umpires--Home, Reed; First, Wendelstedt, Hu; Second, Clark; Third, Bucknor.

T--2:44. A--19,231 (48,678).