July 15, 1963 - Two-run homers by Harmon Killebrew (pictured with a fan), Earl Battey, and Don Mincher today powered the Minnesota Twins to a 13-1 thrashing of the Cleveland Indians at Minnesota’s Metropolitan Stadium. The Twins, who won their fourth straight and third in a row from Cleveland, scored four runs in a third inning that was highlighted by Mincher’s homer. Mincher also drove in two tallies with a pair of singles. Minnesota added six runs in the seventh, which was marked by Killebrew’s 21st homer. Battey gave the Twins a 2-0 lead in the second with this 20th round-tripper, a drive off Dick Donovan, the loser. “The Twins are the only team that manhandles our pitching,” said Cleveland manager Birdie Tebbetts. “I don’t know why. We even hold our own with the Yankees.” Killebrew was also at a loss for an explanation. “I don’t know. We just seem to play more relaxed and confident against Cleveland.” Killebrew hit nine homers off Cleveland pitching last year. On Wednesday, the league-leading Yankees (54-33) will come to Minnesota to face the fourth-place Twins (49-41). The pitching matchup will be New York’s Jim Bouton against Lee Stange of the Twins.
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