CLEVELAND, Sept. 13 (UPI) -- Jim Thome and Karim Garcia each hit three-run homers and drove in four runs Friday night as the Cleveland Indians roughed up Eric Milton and temporarily halted the Minnesota Twins' drive toward their first division title in 11 years with a 12-5 victory.
Thome belted his 45th homer off Milton (13-9) in the first inning. Two batters later, Travis Fryman also went deep as Cleveland took a 5-0 lead. Garcia's 13th homer came with two out in the second and closed the book on Milton.
In three starts against Cleveland this season, Milton is 0-3 with a 17.75 ERA. The lefthander has given up eight homers in 11 2/3 innings to the Indians, against whom he is 5-6 lifetime.
Terry Mulholland (3-1) allowed two runs and six hits in seven innings to post the win, his first as a starter since July 8, 2000.
Minnesota's magic number to clinch the American League Central Division remained at three.
