Manager Ron Gardenhire and starting pitcher Carl Pavano each took blame Sunday after the Twins ran their latest losing streak to eight games.The Twins led 3-0 in the seventh, but Cleveland started a rally against Pavano and scored two runs on bases-loaded walks by Jose Mijares and Alex Burnett.

It turned into a six-run inning for the Indians, who held on for a 6-5 victory at Target Field.

"Gotta throw the ball over the plate; we didn't do it," Gardenhire said. "As a manager, it's my fault. I brought the guys in with the expectations we'll throw it over the plate, and they didn't do it, so I'll take this one."

Pavano was visibly frustrated during the seventh inning. He gave up a leadoff homer to Shelley Duncan, and then Lonnie Chisenhall reached on an error by rookie first baseman Chris Parmelee.

With one out, Pavano barehanded a bouncer from Ezequiel Carrera and threw to second, hoping for a double play, but Carrera beat the throw to first. Pavano was pulled after a single by Lou Marson and walk to Kosuke Fukodome loaded the bases.

"I really think I've failed some of these young guys this year," Pavano said. "I feel like I've let my frustration get the best of me, and I'm not as understanding as I should be. I could definitely do a better job, being a guy that these guys will go to, but I think it's just been a frustrating year for everyone."

Straight cash for Thome The Indians sent the Twins $20,000, in lieu of a player, to complete the Aug. 25 trade for Jim Thome. The cash was part of the original agreement, established in case the teams couldn't agree on the player

"We exchanged some names both ways, and in the end, we both felt this was the proper way to go," said Twins GM Bill Smith.

Thome has a full no-trade clause, and the Twins basically made the deal on his behalf. They weren't expecting much in return for a 41-year-old part-time DH with five weeks left.

"This was certainly the right thing to do for Jim Thome and the right thing to do for the Twins," Smith said. "He was a great contributor here for the better part of two years."

Repko gets beaned Jason Repko got hit in the back of the helmet by a fastball from Justin Masterson in the sixth inning and was taken to Hennepin County Medial Center for tests. Repko said his CT scan was OK and his headache had dissipated.

Etc. • Danny Valencia was not in the lineup for the third consecutive game because of flu symptoms but drew a bases-loaded walk as a pinch hitter in the eighth.

• Jason Kubel will be limited to pinch-hit duty for the rest of the season because of a sore left foot. Gardenhire likely would only use him in an emergency situation.

• Scott Baker (strained flexor muscle) will be available to pitch out of the bullpen, starting Tuesday.