Baseball REPORTER 

--RF Michael Cuddyer went 0-for-3 on Sunday. 

Twins first baseman Justin Morneau entered Saturday's game hitless in his last 16 at-bats and in his previous four games. 

--RHP Nick Blackburn gave up three runs in 6 2/3 innings of work Sunday, good for his second straight promising start, but even those results weren't enough -- Blackburn ended up with his 10th loss of the season. 

EX- Nationals PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Jon Rauch 

CLEVELAND -- In July of last season, Justin Morneau batted . 

CLEVELAND -- Nick Blackburn gave up three runs in 6 2/3 innings Sunday, and Minnesota's bullpen shut Cleveland down from there in a 3-1 loss at Progressive Field. 

If the Minnesota Twins were going to miss the playoffs, they probably didn't figure they'd fall from contention in part due to the struggles of Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau in the middle of their lineup. 

Michael Brantley and David Huff gave the Cleveland Indians hope for the future by damaging the Minnesota Twins' present plans. 

: --3B Joe Crede missed a pair of weekend games after suffering back spasms during Friday's game in New York. 

It's been nearly 36 years since the Twins have endured the trauma of three consecutive walk-off defeats, and historic failures demand historic action. 

--C Joe Mauer ran 40 feet and dove onto home plate in the ninth inning, making a spectacular play to prevent the game-winning run from scoring. 

NEW YORK -- It's like a Broadway show, what the Yankees have going here this weekend: Sell pricey tickets to a beautiful theater, provide a compelling plot with a few memorable scenes, then throw in a big finish so the customers go home happy. 

The Minnesota Twins have had virtually no luck at beating the New York Yankees in the Bronx over the past few seasons. 

Johnny Damon homered in the 10th inning, giving the surging New York Yankees a 3-2 victory Sunday and their third straight comeback win over the Minnesota Twins that was capped by a game-ending hit.