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Danny Salazar wins after call-up

MLB, Cleveland Indians

MINNEAPOLIS -- Right-hander Danny Salazar won Tuesday night in his first start in more than two months as the Cleveland Indians beat the Minnesota Twins 8-2.

Salazar was recalled earlier in the day from Triple-A Columbus, with right-handed reliever C.C. Lee being optioned to clear room on the roster.

Making his first appearance in the majors since May 15, Salazar (2-4) scattered six hits and allowed one earned run in five-plus innings. He walked three and struck out six.

After eight starts with the Indians, Salazar was sent to Triple-A Columbus to work on his mechanics and build up arm strength to last deeper into games. He went 3-6 with a 4.02 ERA in 10 starts there but was 2-1 with a 2.16 ERA in his last four outings while looking more like the right-hander who had a 3.12 ERA in 10 late-season starts for Cleveland in 2013.

"I thought he looked confident. He was a little bit more aggressive in his delivery," manager Terry Francona said. "That was more of the stuff we had come to appreciate last year. If he's going to pitch like that and move forward with it, what a shot in the arm for us."

Salazar was erratic as the Twins often worked him deep into counts, but Francona said Salazar was able to "reach back for his best stuff" and emerge relatively unscathed as Minnesota's clutch hitting continued to be absent.

Salazar issued three straight walks to load the bases with one out in the bottom of the second inning, before striking out Sam Fuld and Danny Santana.

"I was trying to be too quick and I had to settle myself down with my delivery," Salazar said.

Salazar was in the rotation from Opening Day until he was sent to Columbus on May 16, making eight starts for the Indians while going 1-4 with a 5.53 ERA.

Lee made 15 appearances over two stints with the Indians this year, compiling a 4.26 ERA. He pitched in the previous two games, totaling four outs and allowing five runners with two strikeouts.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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