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CLEVELAND -- At this time a year ago, Scott Kazmir wasnt pitching anywhere -- not even for the Sugar Land Skeeters. "I dont think about that anymore," Kazmir said. "Its too stressful." Hes in a much better place now. Kazmir continued his remarkable comeback story Friday night, pitching seven strong innings and Jason Kipnis drove in three runs, leading the Cleveland Indians to a 5-1 win over the Minnesota Twins on Friday night. Kazmir (4-4) gave up five hits, including a leadoff homer to Brian Dozier in the sixth. The left-hander, who has had expected ups and downs and entered the season winless since 2010, struck out seven, including five in his final two innings. He has been a pleasant addition for the Indians, who signed him during the winter after he pitched in the independent Atlantic League last season. "Im happy for him," Indians first baseman Mark Reynolds said. "You know, being out of baseball, playing independent ball and finding his way back. Its just a great story. Ive been really impressed with the way hes been able to throw strikes all year. He may get hit around a little bit, but he just keeps pounding the zone." Kipnis hit a sacrifice fly -- to the second baseman -- off Samuel Deduno (3-2) in the third and added a two-run single in the seventh as the Indians won their third straight and seventh in nine games since losing eight in a row. The Twins came in riding a three-game winning streak. They homered four times in an 8-4 win Thursday to complete a sweep of the Chicago White Sox. But Kazmir, who hadnt won since May 30, cooled Minnesota off. "It seemed like he got better when he got guys on base," Twins first baseman Justin Morneau said. "We were one hit away a couple of times. Sometimes you get them and sometimes you dont. Today we didnt." Kazmir blanked the Twins on three hits over the first five innings before Dozier opened the sixth with his seventh homer to cut Clevelands lead to 2-1. Dozier turned on a 1-0 pitch and belted it into the bleachers in left. Kazmir regrouped and struck out Joe Mauer, got Ryan Doumit on a grounder and fanned Josh Willingham looking to preserve the lead. Kazmir was in trouble in the seventh, when he appeared to hurt himself on a 3-1 pitch to Trevor Plouffe. Indians manager Terry Francona and trainer Lonnie Soloff quickly came to the mound to visit the starter, who told them "Im all right," but then gave up a double on his next pitch. But with Cody Allen warming up in the bullpen and Francona inching his way toward the dugout steps, Kazmir struck out Oswaldo Arcia and Clete Thomas to end the inning. It was a much-needed outing for Kazmir, who had felt good in his previous three starts but acknowledged trying to throw too hard got him in trouble. Hes not where he was as a two-time All-Star with Tampa Bay (2006, 2008), but the 29-year-old believes hes getting back to his previous form. "Its getting there," he said. "I took a big step in the direction with this start." Francona expected there would be some peaks and valleys for Kazmir, and during the pitchers recent slide encouraged him to stay positive. "If we thought he would get through the whole year without some hiccups, thats probably unrealistic," Francona said. "This was more of the guy that we expect to see. He bounced back and pitched a really good game." The Indians chased Deduno and added three runs in the seventh on Drew Stubbs RBI single and Kipnis blooper to left. Mark Reynolds singled and Deduno walked Lonnie Chisenhall before he was replaced by Josh Roenicke, who got one out but gave up Stubbs run-scoring hit. Brian Duensing came on and got one out and walked Mike Aviles to load the bases before Kipnis dropped a soft single over shortstop Jamey Carrolls head to make it 5-1. Cleveland went up 2-0 in the third on a play scored as a rare sacrifice fly to second. Stubbs singled leading off and went to third on Michael Bourns single. With one out, Kipnis hit a flair to shallow centre that second baseman Dozier ran down and caught behind the bag, but dropped as he was transferring the ball from his glove. Stubbs alertly stayed on the base, tagged and dashed home. "That was an unbelievable piece of base running," Francona said. "He has no business scoring right there. The instincts to go on that and have the speed to match." The Indians took a 1-0 lead in the second on Reynolds RBI single. NOTES: Indians 1B Nick Swisher took batting practice and could return to the lineup Saturday after missing five games with a sore left shoulder. ... Mourneau entered the series with 105 career RBIs against the Indians, his most against any club. ... The Twins have homered in six straight games. ... Former Indians All-Star centre fielder Kenny Lofton threw a ceremonial first strike to Sandy Alomar. ... The Indians will induct former GM John Hart and All-Star 2B Carlos Baerga into their Hall of Fame on Saturday. 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"I wrote 36 on my sheet at the beginning of the game," the Cincinnati coach said, referring the yard line the ball would need to be snapped from. Jason Day has already cast his focus to the defence of his US PGA Championship after rounding out Australias disappointing Open Championship campaign.Day ended the 145th Open as Australias leading performer at Royal Troon after closing with a one-over-par 70 to finish level with the card.But his tie for 22nd still completed the countrys worst collective showing in six years and snapped the world No.1s run of five straight top-10 finishes at the majors.Day cant wait to leave Scotlands cold weather and slow greens behind and return to north America.He will be defending two titles back to back starting on Thursday at the Canadian Open before heading to New Jersey for the PGA.The Queenslanders twin triumphs last year, climaxing at Whistling Straits with his long overdue major championship breakthrough, sparked an extraordinary run of eight wins in 18 events and rise to world No.1.Im pumped to get back to some 90 degree (warm) weather. Dont have to wear three or four layers on every day, Day said.The greens are going to be very quick, so once I get in tonight, Ill have a good rest and get into that.But obviously the PGA is the first time Ive ever defended a major championship, so Ill try and soak up the experience of what that entails.Once Thursday comes around, you have to go out there and execute and play good.Excited about that, but also excited to defend Canada as well.Adam Scott and Matt Jones are also looking forward to the PGA, which starts just 11 days after the Open in a congested schedule accommodating the Rioo Olympics.ddddddddddddones, who held the halfway lead at Whistling Straits, tied for 39th at Troon and closed in style with a hole-out eagle from 175 metres in a 71 on Sunday.The reigning Australian Open champion was disappointed not to have finished better than four over for the tournament and said he planned on contending at Baltusrol.I putted good for nine holes and didnt make anything for the rest of the week, Jones said.I didnt get up and down many times either, so I left a lot out there.But Im looking forward to the PGA. I know I can compete. Ive done it week in, week out so I know Im ready.Scott said the seasons final major couldnt come quickly enough after his quest for an elusive Claret Jug also ended with a 71 for a five-over total and equal 43rd spot.I finally made some birdies on the first few holes, Scott rued after slow starts on the first three days cost the former Masters champion a top-10 at the Open for a fifth successive year.But Im very encouraged by the way I hit the ball today. I finally felt I had things under control.I rolled a couple putts the last couple days a little better as well, so I go to the PGA encouraged with how I played. Feeling close every day.Marc Leishman (73) finished tied 53rd at seven over, Scott Hend (76) wound up in joint 72nd at plus five, while Greg Chalmers (85) was last of the 81 players who made the cut following his final-round howler. ' ' '