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Cleveland Indians (79-73) at Minnesota Twins (65-87), 8:10 p.m. (ET)

(SportsNetwork.com) - Phil Hughes goes after win No. 16 on Friday when the Minnesota Twins try to play spoiler versus the playoff-hopeful Cleveland Indians at Target Field.

Hughes has been one of the few bright spots for a Minnesota team that seems headed toward a fourth straight season of over 90 losses. Hughes, though, has impressed at times, going 15-10 with a 3.56 ERA.

He lost to Chicago his last time out, but he did strike out a season-high 11 batters to become the first Twins pitcher to strike out at least 10 since Francisco Liriano on July 12, 2012.

"I've been close a few times this year. I think when I had eight through four, I felt like I had a pretty good chance of doing that," Hughes said. "I guess you take the silver lining in a game like this any day."

Hughes has faced the Tribe six times and is 4-1 against them with a 2.37 ERA.

Cleveland, meanwhile, has won three in a row to get itself within four games of the second wild card spot in the American League. It's also just five games back in the American League Central after a 2-1, 13-inning win over the Houston Astros on Thursday.

With the bases loaded and one out in the 13th, Mike Aviles smacked a liner to right that Jake Marisnick caught on the run, but his throw home was way offline and Jose Ramirez scored to give the Indians the lead.

Cody Allen pitched a scoreless bottom of the 13th for his 22nd save of the season.

Carlos Santana drove in the tying run in the ninth as Ramirez scored both runs for the Indians, while Kyle Crockett (4-0) pitched a scoreless 12th inning for the win.

"I know what the standings are," said Francona. "I don't get too caught up, because it doesn't help. If I thought it would help, I would do it. We need some wins. But trying to figure it out is a waste of time. I care more that we're playing well."

Now the Indians turn to righty Trevor Bauer, who has just one win in his last 11 trips to the hill and is 5-8 on the year with a 4.04 ERA. Bauer did not get a decision on Sunday in Detroit, but pitched well, surrendering only two runs (1 earned) and six hits in five innings of a 6-4 loss.

Bauer is 0-2 in three starts versus the Twins with a 5.79 ERA

"We're pretty much up against the wall," said Bauer. "We pretty much have to win the rest of our games. And if we do, we need some other people to help us out. We're in a tough position as far as making the playoffs. We know that. It doesn't change what we have to do. We just have to prepare to win, and hopefully it works out for us."

Cleveland is 9-7 versus the Twins this season.

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