CLEVELAND, Sept. 17 (UPI) -- Victor Martinez nailed a Joe Nathan fastball for a three-run homer Tuesday, catapulting Cleveland to a 12-9 win over Minnesota in 11 innings.
Nathan (0-2) gave up a single to Franklin Guitierrez, got Ben Francisco to fly out and walked Jhonny Peralta before Martinez got his game-winning hit that set the Twins 2 1/2 games behind the Chicago White Sox in the American League Central race.
It was the first game-ending homer Nathan has allowed in his career.
Ryan Garko also hit a three-run homer and finished with four RBI for the Indians. Asdrubal Cabrera and Grady Sizemore also homered for Cleveland.
The two starting pitchers didn't fare well. Zach Jackson was roughed up for seven runs in 5 1/3 innings for Cleveland, while Francisco Liriano gave up eight runs in 2 2/3 innings for Minnesota.
The win went to Tom Mastny (2-2), who managed a scoreless top of the 11th.
The Twins, who got three RBI from outfielder Carlos Gomez, took a 9-8 lead in the top of the eighth but Sizemore's homer in the bottom of the inning tied it up.
