The Twins are looking for signs that 2015 will not be another failed season. So pitchers like Kyle Gibson land in the spotlight because he can be the remedy for what ails the Twins.

Not on Thursday, as his sickly performance sent the Twins spinning to an 8-1 loss to the Indians in the first game of a doubleheader at Progressive Field.

Gibson gave up two runs in the first, one in the second and was finished off in the third when Cleveland scored four times. The seven earned runs tied his season high - set twice already.

While Gibson has pitched wonderfully at times he has been a hot mess on the mound at others. Thursday marked the 11th time - 11th! - that Gibson has given up at least five earned runs in an outing.

The Twins got off to a good start as Danny Santana, back in the lineup after missing two games with a sore lower back, led off the game with a double and later scored on Kennys Vargas' single.

Gibson immediately gave the lead back when he walked Michael Brantley then gave up a home run to Carlos Santana that traveled an estimated 442 feet and landed in the second deck in right field.

Yan Gomes led off the second inning with a homer to left to make it 3-1. Then Gibson totally fell apart in the third, giving up a RBI single to Michael Brantley, a two-run double to Gomes that was a few feet from being a grand slam and a sacrifice fly to Lonnie Chisenhall that gave Cleveland a 7-1 lead. Gibson was replaced by Anthony Swarzak after the inning.