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MINNEAPOLIS -- Justin Masterson had no regrets about the pitch that cost him his chance at a no-hitter. Masterson took a no-hit bid into the seventh inning, Michael Brantley hit a bases-loaded triple and the Cleveland Indians beat the Minnesota Twins 7-1 on Sunday to avoid a three-game sweep. Masterson (11-7) had faced the minimum through six, allowing only a hit batter, when Brian Dozier led off the seventh with a broken-bat blooper to centre field that dunked in under the glove of a sliding Drew Stubbs for a double. That not only ended Mastersons attempt at making history, it briefly halted what had been a quick, decisive trip through the Twins lineup. Cleveland catcher Carlos Santana immediately went to the mound to check on the big right-hander. "He said, Maybe we should have started him off with a slider. I said, No, we wanted to challenge guys," Masterson said. "Thats what we do. I dont care if we have no hits or 100 hits, you still have to challenge guys. "Broken bat? Thats what you want. It falls in, but in my mind I get so many balls put in play Im like, somethings going to happen. Theres going to be a hit sometime. So lets just make sure when it does happen, we stay in our game and make sure it doesnt have a trickle-down effect," he added. Besides, by then the Indians were leading 6-0. "I thought what he did was good enough," manager Terry Francona said. The Indians led 3-0 on Mike Aviles sacrifice fly and two-run homer by Jason Kipnis when they loaded the bases with one out in the fifth on a walk to Kipnis and consecutive singles by Nick Swisher and Carlos Santana off starter Scott Diamond (5-9). With right-hander Anthony Swarzak warming in the bullpen, acting manager Terry Steinbach -- in charge because Ron Gardenhire had the flu -- visited Diamond on the mound. Diamond got Mark Reynolds to pop out to first for the second out, but Brantley hit a liner to the wall in right-centre for a standup triple that cleared the bases and ended Diamonds day. The Indians hit Diamond hard even when making outs -- 11 of the balls they put in play were solid line drives. That included Kipnis homer, which bounced off the top of the wall in left for his second opposite-field shot in two days. "My stuff was really bad," Diamond said. "I think I tried to overdo some things, and that kind of led to what happened." Diamond, the Twins best starter last season as a rookie (12-9, 3.59 ERA), gave up six runs, five earned, on seven hits and three walks as the left-hander lost his third straight decision. He hasnt won since beating the Chicago White Sox on June 20, and his ERA rose to 5.53. "It seemed like Is throw one pitch and not be able to come back with the next one," Diamond said. "It was just a matter of trying to focus and not overthink things. I just battled myself the whole time." The Twins scored when Dozier came in from third on Joe Mauers one-out grounder to second that was bobbled by Kipnis for an error, his second in two days. But the first-time All-Star also homered for the second time in two days. "When he hits the ball the other way hes getting rewarded for it and its creating a ton of confidence -- and it should," Francona said. "Right now hes keeping everything fair and hitting everything with authority, and thats a good recipe for success." Masterson, who hadnt pitched since a no-decision against Toronto on July 10, finished the seventh before being pulled after 91 pitches for right-hander C.C. Lee. Masterson, also selected to his first All-Star team this year, was charged with an earned run on one hit and struck out eight in his first victory since June 30 against the White Sox. He lowered his ERA to 3.60 with his 13th quality start of the season. Masterson plunked Aaron Hicks in the elbow in the third inning, but Hicks was thrown out attempting to steal for the second out and Pedro Florimon grounded out to end the inning. That was as much as the Twins could muster against Masterson until the seventh, when Dozier looped the first pitch into shallow centre. NOTES: Indians RHP Corey Kluber could have his next start pushed back a day after leaving Saturday nights 3-2 loss after five innings because of a hip injury. Kluber said Sunday his left hamstring tightened up on him during the game and was sore, but he didnt anticipate missing his next scheduled bullpen session Monday. ... Twins 3B Trevor Plouffe has struck out six straight times -- and he fanned seven times in the series. He was pulled in the eighth for pinch-hitter Doug Bernier, who walked to reach base for the first time in the majors. The infielder was 0 for 4 in two games with the Colorado Rockies in 2008. Jason Heyward Jersey . 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Walcott is available for Saturdays home match against Southampton as Arsenal looks to extend its two-point lead at the top of the Premier League. The Gunners are currently the second highest scorers in the league but Wenger insists Walcott will add something extra to his team. Andre Dawson Cubs Jersey . Nine days before the opening ceremony, organizing committee chief Dmitry Chernyshenko said Wednesday that Sochi is "fully ready" and will deliver safe, friendly and well-run games that defy the grim reports that have overshadowed preparations. CLEVELAND -- CM Punk could have used a folding chair or a tag-team partner.Out of pro wrestlings scripted ring, his first trip into the octagon didnt last long.Punk, who was one of WWEs biggest stars when he left it two years ago to try his hand in ultimate fighting, tapped out just 2:14 into the first round after he was pummeled and choked by Mickey Gall on the UFC 203 undercard Saturday night.The 38-year-old Punk was on his back less than 10 seconds into the fight. Pinned up against the octagons cage, he was unable to get out from under Gall, who landed numerous blows to both sides of Punks head.Looking confident and mugging for the sellout crowd, Punk, whose debut had been delayed by injuries, entered Quicken Loans Arena to Cult of Personality by Living Colour, the song he used for years on the WWE circuit.After stepping into the eight-sided arena for the first time, Punk smiled as he looked across at Gall, an up-and-coming welterweight from New Jersey who had called out the famous wrestler and pledged to destroy him.Gall made good on his promise, quickly shooting a double-legged takedown on Punk, wwho seemed in shock as he laid flat on his back.dddddddddddd With Punk lying prone, Gall smashed a right hand into his temple and then kneeled on top of him and swung both arms like a pendulum, connecting with one hard shot after another.Punk nearly got free, but Gall regained a dominant position and squeezed his opponents head like he wanted to snap it off. Punk had no choice but to tap his hand on the mat, ending the fight the way many inside UFC predicted.Yeah you know in life you go big or you go home, Punk said afterward. I just like to take challenges. It was a hell of a climb, I didnt get to the summit tonight but it doesnt mean Im going to give up it doesnt mean Im going anywhere, it doesnt mean Im going to stop.Punks first foray into mixed martial arts was on the undercard of heavyweight Stipe Miocics title defense against Alistair Overeem, who will have to battle both the 6-foot-4, 240-pounder Clevelander and a sellout crowd of more than 20,000 rooting against him. ' ' '