CLEVELAND — Sitting here in the press box, trying to estimate how far Denard Span ran to make his mind-boggling catch on David Dellucci’s eighth-inning sacrifice fly.

The Twins defeated Cleveland 4-2, and Manager Ron Gardenhire called it “the biggest play of the game.”

Span said he was playing straight away and deep, trying to prevent a double.

So, if he was standing somewhere in from the 400-foot sign in center field, I’m guessing he ran 125 feet to get to the spot where he caught the ball. The catch came just in front of the 370-foot sign in left-center field.

“That catch out in center field, — I just can’t say enough about it,” Gardenhire said. “That was unbelievable.”

CLEVELAND — The Twins have a chance to win their 10th series in 12 tries today, facing Indians lefty Jeremy Sowers (1-5, 6.44 ERA).

Joe Mauer is not in the starting lineup, giving him a break heading into the four-game series against the White Sox, which opens Monday.

Updates to come…

Update (11:10 a.m.): Carlos Gomez feels better than he did Saturday. Asked him if he could play Monday, and he said maybe Tuesday.

Spectacular weather here today. Less humid, blue skies.

Twins (56-47)

1. Denard Span, CF

2. Alexi Casilla, 2B

3. Mike Redmond, C

4. Justin Morneau, 1B

5. Delmon Young, LF

6. Jason Kubel, RF

7. Craig Monroe, DH

8. Brendan Harris, 3B

9. Nick Punto, SS

Starting pitcher: RH Nick Blackburn

Indians (45-57)

1. Grady Sizemore, DH

2. Franklin Gutierrez, CF

3. Ben Francisco, LF

4. Jhonny Peralta, SS

5. Shin-Soo Choo, RF

6. Andy Marte, 3B

7. Ryan Garko, 1B

8. Sal Fasano, C

9. Asdrubal Cabrera, 2B

Starting pitcher: LH Jeremy Sowers

Progressive Field. First pitch: 12:05 p.m.

CLEVELAND — The ballpark is mostly empty. The big American flag in center field is mostly still. Beautiful night here at Progressive Field, and I’m all done writing my game story and notes, etc., for the Sunday paper.

A chance to sit back, relax and blog, right?

Well, I’ll have to do it over the obnoxious roar of the leaf blowers.

This is the part of the job you can’t relate to friends. Ballgame ends, and the crowd files out peacefully. (They play tunes over the loudspeakers, sure, and there’s nothing quite like Frank Sinatra belting out 10 straight versions of “New York, New York” after a Yankees game.)

But the writers go to the clubhouse, where we patiently wait for the players to finish their postgame meals, ask a few questions and then scramble back to the pressbox to make deadline.

By then, in most outdoor stadiums, the cleaning crews have unleashed the fury of those angry leaf blowers. A moment inside a ballpark that could be so peaceful winds up giving you a splitting headache.

OK, thanks for letting me vent.

Not much that needs to be added after the Twins’ 11-4 victory.  I wrote about the team’s three first-inning walks being the key to foiling Fausto. Interesting to note that Scott Baker was frustrated for not being able to correct his mechanical flaws.

Oh well, the guy has allowed three or fewer earned runs in 23 of his last 25 starts. If he was going to struggle, he picked a good night.

I’ll be back in the morning with Sunday’s starting lineups.

CLEVELAND — Carlos Gomez said he’s feeling better today but doesn’t expect to play for the rest of this series against Cleveland.

Gomez has a bruised tailbone and lower back.

“I feel better. I can walk,” he said, smiling.

Denard Span said he was a little sore but feels good enough to play.

By now, you’ve heard the Indians traded Casey Blake to the Dodgers for two minor-league prospects.

Update (5:20 p.m.): The Twins could use some good news, and they got it today with word that Michael Cuddyer’s left hand is feeling better. Gardy said Cuddyer will be re-evaluated when the Twins return home on Monday and might start swinging a bat again with an eye toward a minor-league rehab stint.

Matt Tolbert (torn ligament left thumb) has stopped swinging the bat in his rehab but will try to resume again Monday. The Twins were hopeful he’d be playing by Aug. 1, but these things can be unpredictable.

Twins (55-47)

1. Denard Span, CF

2. Alexi Casilla, 2B

3. Joe Mauer, C

4. Justin Morneau, 1B

5. Jason Kubel, RF

6. Delmon Young, LF

7. Mike Lamb, DH

8. Brian Buscher, 3B

9. Nick Punto, SS

Starting pitcher: RH Scott Baker

Indians (45-56)

1. Grady Sizemore, CF

2. David Dellucci, DH

3. Shin-Soo Choo, LF

4. Jhonny Peralta, SS

5. Kelly Shoppach, C

6. Ryan Garko, 1B

7. Andy Marte, 3B

8. Franklin Gutierrez, RF

9. Asdrubal Cabrera, 2B

Starting pitcher: RH Fausto Carmona

Progressive Field. First pitch: 6:05 p.m.

CLEVELAND — Carlos Gomez returned from Lutheran Hospital and limped slowly through the clubhouse tonight after Cleveland fended off a ninth-inning rally to defeat the Twins 5-4.

Considering how scary it looked in the first inning, when Gomez was carted off on a stretcher, wearing a neck brace, the injury news was positive.

Gomez had an MRI exam and was diagnosed with a bruised lower back. He was dizzy and sore and probably won’t know just how sore until Saturday morning. He had a pain injection. Doctors told him he can play when he feels up to it, but he made no promises how soon that will be.

“He did everything he could to make a play,” Manager Ron Gardenhire said. “He made a heck of a play. It’s as good of a catch as you’ll see up against the wall like that.”

(*) Denard Span injured his tailbone and groin on his collision with the left-center field wall. He said he too will be sore but doesn’t figure to miss any playing time.

He moved to center field and went 3-for-4 off Cleveland lefthander Cliff Lee. Span is now batting .462 (12-for-26) against lefties. This, after batting .174 off lefties (and .409 against righties) at Class AAA Rochester this season.

“Really, really good at-bats against a good lefty,” Gardenhire said. “He’s getting it done, playing good outfield. You put him in center, you don’t lose a heck of a lot. He’s a good outfielder.”

(*) Still, the anger was obvious after this loss, their fifth in a row. Nick Punto and Mike Redmond sat on a couch in a daze. Gardenhire lamented Redmond’s ninth-inning liner and the fact Cleveland first baseman Ryan Garko was playing in — just the right spot to make a diving catch — probably anticipating a sacrifice bunt.

Brendan Harris and Punto bounced out, ending the game. The Twins couldn’t convert after Justin Morneau’s two-run homer and Delmon Young’s double, all with no outs.

Add to it the fact Chicago got a two-out, two-run, ninth-inning homer from Jermaine Dye to defeat the Tigers 6-5, and the Twins now trail the White Sox by 3 1/2 games.

Note: Adam Everett went 2-for-4 with two singles and a throwing error in his second game for Class AAA Rochester. He will play three more games on his rehab assignment before the Twins are faced with a decision about his future.