CLEVELAND -- Corey Kluber came within two outs of his second straight complete game as the Cleveland Indians defeated the Minnesota Twins 8-2 Thursday in the first game of a doubleheader.

Kluber (15-9) allowed two runs and struck out seven in 8 1/3 innings in becoming the Indians' first 15-game winner since Cliff Lee went 22-3 in 2008.

Kluber dominated the Twins after allowing a first-inning run, retiring 18 of 19 before giving up two singles in the eighth. The right-hander worked out of trouble, but was pulled after allowing an RBI single to Trevor Plouffe in the ninth, the third hit of the inning.

Yan Gomes drove in three runs with a solo homer in the second and a two-run double in the third. Carlos Santana belted a two-run homer in the first and Cleveland broke the game open with a four-run third.

The Indians (75-69) trail first-place Kansas City by five games in the AL Central and are four games behind Detroit in the crowded race for the second wild-card spot.

Kyle Gibson (11-11) lasted only three innings, allowing seven runs and seven hits, including two homers.