Jason Kubel powers Scott Baker and Twins to 11-3 victory over Indians

Jason Kubel powers Twins past Indians 11-3

MINNEAPOLIS — Jason Kubel hit a pair of three-run homers to back Scott Baker, who pitched seven effective innings for the Minnesota Twins in an 11-3 victory over the Cleveland Indians on Thursday.

Kubel’s first homer capped a four-run first inning against Fausto Carmona. The cleanup batter followed an inning later with his second to give Minnesota a 7-0 lead.

It was Kubel’s fourth career two-homer game and second of the season. He also hit a pair April 25 at Cleveland.

Justin Morneau added his 15th home run of the year and drove in three runs for the Twins.

Baker (3-6) took advantage of the early run support, staying around the strike zone and retiring his first eight batters. He didn’t allow a hit until the fifth inning while winning for the second time in three starts.

The right-hander entered the spring as the Twins’ No. 1 starter and was slated to make his first opening-day start before being put on the disabled list with right shoulder stiffness. He returned and promptly lost his first four starts.

He credited a small change in his mechanics — standing taller in his delivery — for a victory against the Brewers on May 24, but then allowed four runs and seven hits in a loss to Tampa Bay in his last start.

Against Cleveland, he appeared to be back in good form.

Baker struck out a career-high 10 and walked just one. He allowed three runs — two earned — and six hits.

Meanwhile, Carmona (2-6) failed to reach the third inning for the second time in three starts. He’s allowed four or more runs in his last five starts, and has walked 24 batters in his last six.

Control issues hurt this time as well.

Carmona walked the first two batters he faced before Morneau singled to left, scoring Denard Span. Kubel followed with a drive to straightaway center field that just missed the glove of a leaping Trevor Crowe.

Kubel hurt his left knee chasing a fly ball at Chicago on May 21 and missed the next three games. Since he returned, he was 4 for 26 until hitting a single in the fourth inning Wednesday night.

Despite the modest slump, Kubel has hit safely in 26 of his last 39 games with a .328 average, 12 doubles, a triple, six homers and 26 RBIs during the stretch.