LaPorta's 9th-inning HR gives Cleveland 7-6 win over Twins

CLEVELAND (AP) - Matt LaPorta homered leading off the bottom of the ninth inning to give the Cleveland Indians a 7-6 victory over the Minnesota Twins on Friday night.

LaPorta connected for his sixth homer off Matt Guerrier (2-7) after the Twins had tied it in the top half on a two-run single by Alexi Casilla off closer Chris Perez (1-2). Casilla had a career-high four RBIs.

The game-tying hit off Perez, who had not allowed a run over 15 outings since June 28, came after pinch-hitter Jim Thome had an apparent home run ruled a double. The umpires used replay to uphold their call after Minnesota manager Ron Gardenhire protested. Some television angles showed the ball appeared to hit a railing above the yellow home-run line atop the wall in left-center.

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