The young Cleveland Indians are handling their first pennant chase like a bunch of veterans.

Ben Broussard homered for the second straight night, Scott Elarton had his best start of the season and the poised Indians beat lackluster Minnesota 8-2 Friday night, moving within two games of the Central Division-leading Twins.

"They are a good team," Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said. "But to say we are going to pack our bags and go home because we lost one game - I doubt it."

Cleveland has won five straight and nine of 10, gaining six games on the Twins in nine days. Minnesota has lost seven of nine.

The Indians maintained before the game that they felt no added pressure as they played the first of 13 games remaining against the Twins. They proved it on the field.

"It was important for us to come out and get this first one tonight," Indians manager Eric Wedge said. "We recognize who we're playing and what time of year it is."

The Indians scored five times in the first inning on Victor Martinez's two-run double and Broussard's three-run home run.

Broussard, who hit a pinch-hit grand slam Thursday, made his second curtain call in two nights. His 10th homer traveled 455 feet to center.

"I haven't ever hit one out there," he said.

Elarton (2-2) went seven innings, allowing two runs on seven hits and a walk with four strikeouts. He was backed up by fine defensive plays from third baseman Casey Blake and right fielder Jody Gerut.

"It's been a long time since I've pitched with a lead," Elarton said.

He said the playoff atmosphere at Jacobs Field helped, too.

"It's nice to pitch in games that mean something," he said.

Matt Miller and Rick White each pitched a scoreless inning of relief for the Indians.

Carlos Silva (10-8) lasted just two innings, the shortest start of his career, allowing six runs on six hits and a walk.

"It was a tough night for me, that's all," Silva said. "Everything I threw, they were hitting."

Abraham Nunez hit a grand slam for his first home run of the season, spoiling Mark Mulder's bid to become the majors' first 16-game winner.Nunez connected on full-count with two outs in the sixth to break a scoreless tie. It was only his second career homer and his first grand slam. The four RBIs also were a career best.Jonathan Buck, another rookie, also hit a grand slam for the Royals, the first of his career and the first time in club history the team had two in a game - which ties a major league record. It marked the second time the A's have allowed two grand slams in a game and the first since 1986 against California.Buck snapped an 0-for-21 streak with his shot to center and the Royals ended a 10-game losing streak to the A's, which included the first six meetings this season.