CLEVELAND, Aug. 6 (UPI) -- Matt LaPorta homered while leading off the ninth inning Friday, giving the Cleveland Indians a wild 7-6 victory over Minnesota.
The Twins fell behind 4-0 after two innings and finally completed a game-long attempt to catch up when they scored twice in the top of the ninth.
Both the Minnesota runs came on a one-out single by Alexi Casilla, who had four RBI in the game after having had just eight in his previous 41 contests this season.
The 6-6 deadlock lasted only two pitches into the bottom half of the ninth before LaPorta homered to center off Matt Guerrier (2-7).
Chris Perez (1-2) got the win despite giving up three hits and two runs in the top of the ninth. It was the fifth victory in a three-year career for Perez.
Shin-Soo Choo and Shelley Duncan both had two RBI for Cleveland, which has won five out of seven.
