AL Central champion Twins beat Indians 7-1 behind Blackburn for sweep

Blackburn leads Twins over Indians 5-1

MINNEAPOLIS — A day after becoming the first major league team to clinch a playoff berth this year, the Minnesota Twins rested most of their regulars and beat the Cleveland Indians 5-1 Wednesday behind the pitching of Nick Blackburn to complete a three-game sweep.

Minnesota clinched its sixth division title in nine years late Tuesday when the Chicago White Sox lost at Oakland.

Blackburn (10-10) became the sixth Minnesota pitcher to reach double digits in victories, allowing one run and five hits in seven innings.

Jose Morales had three RBIs and Alexei Casilla had three hits for Minnesota, which has won nine of 11 and improved its record at new Target Field to 52-25.

Carlos Carrasco (1-1) allowed three runs and six hits in six innings.