MLB: Minnesota 6, Cleveland 3

MINNEAPOLIS, Sept. 15 (UPI) -- The Minnesota Twins used a six-run eighth inning fueled by Michael Cuddyer and Jason Kubel home runs Monday to rally past Cleveland 6-3.

The victory kept the Twins within 5 1/2 games of American League Central-leading Detroit.

Cuddyer cranked a three-run blast and Kubel provided a two-run shot. Seven of Kubel's 23 homers and 17 of his 84 RBI this season have come in 15 games against Cleveland.

Delmon Young scored what turned out to be the winning run when he scampered home on a wild pitch by reliever Chris Perez (0-1).

Ron Mahay (2-1) got the win with a scoreless eighth. Joe Nathan recorded his 39th save of the season.

Starter Carl Pavano, pitching against his former club for the second time since being traded to the Twins, didn't figure in the decision. He allowed three runs on six hits in six innings.

Jeremy Sowers pitched seven scoreless innings only to be let down by the Indians bullpen.

Cleveland got its runs on a two-run homer by Trevor Crowe -- the first of his big league career -- and a solo homer by Shin-Soo Choo.