CLEVELAND — Jason Kipnis kept watching and hoping.

Kipnis’ high drive barely cleared the right field wall for a three-run homer that broke a sixth-inning tie and sent the Cleveland Indians over the Minnesota Twins 5-3 on Thursday.

Usually, when it’s close, Kipnis said he tries to study “the outfielder and see how big his eyes are getting or if he’s timing up a jump. Once the fans’ arms go up, mine goes up with them.”

Kipnis, who has struggled offensively most of the season, lofted a 2-2 pitch from reliever Alan Busenitz that was just out of the reach of leaping Max Kepler.

The homer came two batters after Yonder Alonso’s tying single.

The AL Central-leading Indians opened a 14-game margin over second-place Minnesota. Cleveland is 31-11 against division opponents, and needed this win to beat the Twins 10-9 in the season series.