MINNEAPOLIS -- During their five-game winning streak that is creating separation in the American League Central, the Cleveland Indians are piecing everything together.

Cleveland's rotation is finding a groove, and the lineup is putting together some big games, too.

The Indians combined both of those facets on Tuesday at Target Field to the tune of an 8-1 win over the Minnesota Twins. In the process, first-place Cleveland (65-52) increased its lead over Minnesota (59-58) and Kansas City (60-59) to six games.

"We're competing right now," said Indians starter Danny Salazar, who pitched seven sharp innings to earn the win Tuesday. "This is a team that wants to get into the fight to beat us. We're just showing them that we are aggressive. This is what we do."

The Indians belted five homers, including two by Carlos Santana and a three-run blast by Austin Jackson.

Santana, Jason Kipnis and Edwin Encarnacion all hit solo shots before Jackson's homer broke the game open in the seventh. Jackson's second-deck shot to left field drove in Jay Bruce and Santana, both of whom reached base with two outs.

Santana added a two-run homer in the ninth inning -- the ninth multi-homer game of his career -- to seal the win. The switch hitter socked one home run from each side of the plate Tuesday, the fifth time he has done so in a game during his career.

The five homers were more than enough run support for Salazar, who allowed just three hits and no walks. Salazar (5-5) retired 12 consecutive batters in the middle innings and set down 16 of the final 17 Twins hitters he faced.

"They were so hot, and we really stressed to him about being aggressive early," Cleveland manager Terry Francona said of Salazar. "Because he held them down, then our offense clicked in and we got the homers, and then we spread it out. That's a good way to play."

Salazar struck out 10, the second time in three starts he tallied double-digit strikeouts. Dan Otero and Zach McAllister combined to pitch two scoreless innings in relief.

Twins veteran right-hander Bartolo Colon was hit with the loss against his former team. Colon surrendered three runs -- all on solo homers -- while allowing seven hits in five innings. He struggled with his command as well, walking four batters. The 44-year-old veteran also was called for a balk for the first time since 2005.

Colon saw his record drop to 2-2 in six outings with Minnesota since the Twins acquired him in July.

"It just looked like his command was a little bit off and he made some pitches that were close and we didn't get many calls," Twins manager Paul Molitor said. "But you don't use that as an excuse or anything. You know, he hung in there and did a really nice job of pitching out of trouble early, and then the home run ball got him."

Minnesota struck first when Byron Buxton continued his impressive month of August. Buxton singled to left to score Eddie Rosario -- the reigning American League Player of the Week -- to put the Twins up 1-0 in the second inning.

Buxton is 14-for-44 (.318) in August. His eighth RBI of the month meant Buxton has accumulated one-third of his RBIs this season in the past two weeks. He finished the night 1-for-3.

Cleveland answered with three solo home runs. Santana tagged Colon, belting his 17th home run of the season in the fourth inning.

Kipnis led off the fifth inning with his ninth of the season, and Encarnacion belted his 27th two batters later. It was the 12th career homer for Encarnacion at Target Field, and the fifth this season.

NOTES: Indians LHP Andrew Miller (right patellar tendinitis) will make a rehab appearance Wednesday for Triple-A Columbus. Miller will throw an inning, and he is expected to be activated Friday for Cleveland's series against Kansas City. ... Twins LHP Glen Perkins rejoined the team on Tuesday after pitching on a rehab assignment with Double-A Chattanooga. Perkins has not yet pitched in the majors this season after having offseason shoulder surgery. The 34-year-old veteran appeared in just two games in 2016 before sustaining an injury. Twins manager Paul Molitor said Perkins' fastball hit 88-91 mph during his rehab assignment. Perkins could join Minnesota's bullpen by the end of the month. ... Minnesota OF Eddie Rosario was named the American League Player of the Week for the week ending Aug. 13. He batted .444 with three doubles and four home runs in seven games to earn the honor.