Even with Cleveland reeling big-time, Twins are still in last place

The Cleveland Indians are in an 8-29 tail spin ... but still sit two games above the Twins in the standings.

How is that possible? Cleveland was 50-49 on July 26, still in the AL Central race, and 9 1/2 games ahead of the Twins. Since that date, the Twins have gone 16-23.

So this four-game series at Target Field, which begins tonight, will be a battle for fourth place. Liam Hendriks pitches for the Twins, still seeking his first major league victory, and the Indians counter with righthander Jeanmar Gomez.

The Twins are 7-1 in their past eight games against Cleveland and have outscored the Indians 64-27 in that span.

INDIANS (58-79)

1. Shin-Soo Choo, RF
2. Jason Kipnis, 2B
3. Asdrubal Cabrera, SS
4. Carlos Santana, C
5. Michael Bradley, CF
6. Russ Canzler, DH
7. Casey Kotchman, 1B
8. Vinny Rottino, LF
9. Jack Hannahan, 3B

Starting pitcher: RH Jeanmar Gomez (5-7, 5.08 ERA)

1. Ben Revere, CF
2. Eduardo Escobar, 2B
3. Joe Mauer, C
4. Josh Willingham, DH
5. Justin Morneau, 1B
6. Ryan Doumit, LF
7. Chris Parmelee, RF
8. Trevor Plouffe, 3B
9. Pedro Florimon, SS

Starting pitcher: RH Liam Hendriks (0-7, 6.11 ERA)

Target Field. First pitch: 7:10 p.m. TV: FSN. Twins Radio Network