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MIN@BOS: Deduno stymies Sox over six shutout innings

On Tuesday night, the Twins will be looking for an encore to their early barrage of offense Monday against Cleveland.

Indians starter Corey Kluber will be looking to avoid just that, after he was knocked around in the first inning of his big league debut his last time out.

With the help of 10 second-inning runs, the Twins thumped the Indians, 14-3, on Monday, marking Cleveland's 10th consecutive loss, two short of the franchise record, set in 1931. The Tribe's slump has dropped them to 50-59 and essentially knocked them out of the playoff discussion.

The Indians give the ball to Kluber, who made his first Major League start on Thursday in Kansas City, where he gave up six runs in the first inning.

Kluber threw 43 pitchers to 10 hitters in his first big league inning and allowed six hits -- two of them home runs.

But Kluber, who replaced veteran Derek Lowe on the roster, settled down as he then pitched 3 1/3 scoreless frames.

"The kid had a very rough first inning," Cleveland manager Manny Acta said. "But after that, he gave us a few good innings. I liked what I saw out there. I liked the stuff. I think he can compete up here."

Another rookie right-hander, Sam Deduno, gets the ball for Minnesota, trying to build on a very impressive start against Boston on Thursday. Deduno surrendered just two hits in six innings and didn't allow a run.

Deduno is hoping to join the rest of the Twins' staff in its dominance of Indians hitters, who are just 63-for-271 (.232) against Minnesota this year.

Twins: Pavano slated for rehab start
• Minnesota right-hander Carl Pavano is scheduled to pitch two innings in his first rehab start with Class A Fort Myers on Tuesday.

Pavano has been on the disabled list since June 4 with rotator cuff weakness. In 11 starts, he's 2-5 with a 6.00 ERA.

• In other injury news, third baseman Trevor Plouffe could return as soon as Wednesday, though he hasn't swung a bat since Thursday because of his bruised right thumb.

Indians: Antonetti throws support behind Acta
• Tribe general manager Chris Antonetti emphasized that Acta is not to blame for the club's recent struggles. He also indicated Acta's job is safe for next season.

"I'm very happy with the job Manny has done," Antonetti said. "Obviously, it's been a tough road trip, but I think he's continued to provide very good leadership not only throughout the road trip, but throughout his tenure here. I certainly think he's part of the solution, not part of our issues."

The Indians are nine games below .500. They went 0-9 on a recent road trip, which marked the franchise's first winless trip of that length in its 112 years of existence.

Worth noting
•Cleveland's pitching staff has struggled against Minnesota, posting a 5.54 ERA this season.

• The Twins have won six straight games against the Tribe after losing their first three this year.

• Minnesota outfielder Ben Revere is riding a 20-game hitting streak, during which he is batting .388.

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