<p>CLEVELAND — Max Kepler and rookie Alex Kirilloff drove in two runs apiece in Minnesota’s nine-run fourth inning and the Twins shook off a couple long days of cross-country travel by pounding the Cleveland Indians 10-0 on Friday night.</p>
<p>The Twins didn’t arrive in Cleveland until 4:30 a.m. after flying back from California following a doubleheader in Anaheim on Thursday. But they didn’t show any signs of fatigue and looked wide awake in winning the series opener.</p>
<p>Randy Dobnak (1-3) was the beneficiary of the Twins’ biggest inning this season and won his first start after being recalled from Triple-A St. Paul. The right-hander began the season in Minnesota’s bullpen before being demoted on May 3.</p>
<p>Dobnak, who worked as an Uber driver before making it to the big leagues in 2019, allowed just three hits in six innings.</p>
<p>Rob Refsnyder homered for Minnesota’s first run.</p>
<p>Triston McKenzie (1-3) helped the weary Twins with four walks in the fourth before he was mercifully pulled by Indians manager Terry Francona. Reliever Phil Maton, however, wasn’t much better as Kepler hit a two-run double and Kirilloff, who came off the injured list earlier in the day, singled home a pair as Minnesota opened a 10-run lead.</p>
<p>The Indians also committed their first error since May 12 — a span of nine games — to aid the Twins in the fourth.</p>
<p>The night began on an ominous note for the Twins, who have been dealing with injuries all season. Designated hitter Nelson Cruz was scratched with a bruised wrist, forcing manager Rocco Baldelli to rearrange his starting lineup.</p>
<p>The one he came up with worked out just fine.</p>
<p>McKenzie’s continued problems with his control are becoming a concern for the Indians. The right-hander has has walked 30 in 31 1/3 innings and he has yet to pitch more than five innings.</p>
<p>Refsnyder’s first homer this season gave the Twins a 1-0 lead in the third.</p>
<p>He drove a 2-2 pitch over the head of Indians left fielder Eddie Rosario, who barely moved a muscle as the ball sailed above him and over the wall.</p>
<p>SPECIAL K</p>
<p>Like one of the hitters he overpowers, Indians reliever James Karinchak has blown away Francona with his quick development.</p>
<p>The 25-year-old right-hander entered the series with a 0.47 ERA and 36 strikeouts in 19 1/3 innings.</p>
<p>“He has been a weapon,” Francona said. "My goodness. His numbers are silly and we probably nitpick so much, and we worry when he goes 3-2 on a lot of people. But there’s not a lot of walks and there’s certainly not a lot of hits.</p>
<p>"I know the board will say 96-97 (mph), but I think it profiles better than that and his breaking ball is filthy. And he competes like crazy. He’s fun to watch, man.”</p>
<p>DECENT DEBUT </p>
<p>One bright spot for the Indians was rookie J.C. Mejía, who made his major league debut and struck out five in 2 1/3 innings.</p>
<p>TRAINER’S ROOM</p>
<p>Twins: OF Byron Buxton (hip) still isn’t sprinting. And while he’s made progress, Baldelli said it could be a while before Buxton, who has been out since May 7, is ready to return from a “very legitimate hip issue.” … INF Jorge Polanco sat out with an ankle issue that flared up earlier in the week and forced him to exit Game 2 against the Angels early. … Kirilloff missed the last 16 games with a right wrist sprain.</p>
<p>Indians: OF Jordan Luplow was back in the lineup after missing two games with a sprained left ankle. He went 0 for 4.</p>
<p>UP NEXT</p>
<p>Indians ace Shane Bieber (4-3) went just 4 2/3 innings in his last start. He’ll face Twins RHP Kenta Maeda (2-2), who pitched through groin soreness on Sunday against Oakland.</p>
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