MINNEAPOLIS -- Phil Hughes came out on the right side of a pitchers' duel with Corey Kluber, and rookie Kennys Vargas powered the offense to lead the Twins to a 4-1 win over the Indians on Thursday afternoon at Target Field.
Hughes continued his recent run of success, tossing seven strong innings to get his team-leading 14th win of the year. The right-hander gave up just one run on five hits while striking out eight.
It was the fifth straight quality start for Hughes, who has a 1.89 ERA over that span to lower his ERA on the season to 3.65.
 
Hughes outduels Kluber in 4-1 victory over Indians
 
The lone run he allowed came on a solo shot from Zach Walters in the fifth inning. It was the second homer in as many days for Walters, and the first served up by Hughes since Aug. 5.
The righty outpitched Kluber, who has developed into Cleveland's ace but uncharacteristically struggled with his command, walking four and hitting a batter. The right-hander also went seven innings, but surrendered three runs on six hits to take his first loss since June 30.
Vargas got the Twins on the board in the fourth with a solo shot to left field, ending a 20-inning scoreless streak for Minnesota's offense. It was the fourth career homer for Vargas, and the first one allowed by Kluber since July 11.
Vargas, who finished 3-for-4 with two runs scored, sparked a rally in the sixth with a one-out double to left-center field before Oswaldo Arcia followed with a walk. Trevor Plouffe came through with a go-ahead two-run double down the left-field line to give the Twins a lead they wouldn't relinquish.
It came after the Indians threatened against Hughes in the top of sixth, when Carlos Santana laced a ball down the right-field line after an error from center fielder Jordan Schafer. Santana was originally ruled safe at second base by umpire CB Bucknor for a double, but Twins manager Ron Gardenhire challenged the ruling on the field and it was overturned quickly to get the Twins out of the potential jam.
After Hughes departed, reliever Casey Fien tossed a scoreless eighth, and Oswaldo Arcia added an insurance run with an RBI double in the bottom of the frame. Closer Glen Perkins finished it off with a scoreless ninth to get his 32nd save of the year.
Rhett Bollinger / MLB.com
 

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