The Cleveland Indians’ plan for success is pretty simple: Take a late lead and turn the game over to the bullpen.
Advertisement
The strategy worked Sunday in a 5-4 win over the Los Angeles Angels.
The foursome of Dan Otero, Bryan Shaw, Andrew Miller and Cody Allen kept the one-hitter intact over the final 2 1/3 innings. Indians manager Terry Francona said he underwent tests before being sent home.
Jose Ramirez also had three steals, while Kipnis and Francisco Lindor had one apiece as Cleveland increased its league-leading total to 92.The eight stolen bases tied the Indians’ team record, originally set August 27, 1917 against Washington.Guyer had three hits, including a home run, and Ramirez also homered in the seventh inning to provide the Indians with their 10th run.
“He’s actually doing much better”, Francona said. Angels DH Albert Pujols leads the majors with 27 RBIs since the All-Star break.
Pujols, also upset by a call earlier in the at-bat, was still unhappy following the game.
“I just try to stay in the game as long as I can and keep us in it, because we know we can come back”, Bauer said. Valdez has walked six in four innings. “However Tito wants to use me, I’m happy to oblige”. His RBI double in the fifth gave the Tribe the lead for good (4-3).
NOTES: Angels OF Mike Trout’s streak of 178 consecutive games played was snapped when he wasn’t in the starting lineup.
Jhoulys Chacin (2-6), who replaced Tim Lincecum in the Angels’ rotation, allowed seven runs in 1 1/3 innings. Chris Gimenez followed with a single to right field, scoring Naquin to give the Indians a 5-1 lead.
Jason Kipnis hit his 20th homer of the season in the first for Cleveland, which outscored Los Angeles 37-12 in the series. We project him to hit eight more jacks and post an.818 OPS over the rest of the year. Ramirez, Kipnis and Lindor each drove in two runs.
Skinny: Heat Miser extended his hitting streak to 16 games, 10 of which have featured multiple hits.
The start of the game was delayed by rain for 1 hour, 38 minutes. The right-hander allowed one run, struck out three, walked four and threw 91 pitches. Brantley has played in only 11 games after surgery on his right shoulder in November and has been on the disabled list since May 14. The Angels occupy the AL West basement and are mired in a deep slump that has seen them drop nine straight games.
Santana was standing behind the railing on the top step of the dugout when he was struck by teammate Francisco Lindor’s foul in the fifth inning Thursday night.
Angels: RHP Ricky Nolasco makes his third start since being acquired from the Twins in the opener of a four-game series against Felix Hernandez and Seattle at Angel Stadium on Monday night.
Advertisement
Indians: RHP Josh Tomlin takes on the Red Sox as Cleveland continues its 11-game homestand with a makeup game from an April 7 rainout.
