Beer-chugging Mayfield sparks rally for Indians

CLEVELAND — Francisco Lindor is out there for a brand new jersey.

Lindor and Jason Kipnis homered throughout Cleveland’s five-run fifth inning, and the Indians beat the Los Angeles Angels 7-2 on Saturday evening.

Cleveland’s rally got here moments after Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield was proven on the scoreboard, sitting in a Progressive Subject suite. Mayfield drank from a beer can after biting into it and confirmed off his Lindor jersey, resulting in a loud cheer from the group.

Lindor says he needs Mayfield’s No. 6 jersey with the Browns to return the quarterback’s assist.

“All of us recognize him,” Lindor mentioned. “We’re all a fan of him. What he did with the beer was fairly spectacular.”

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Carlos Santana added a solo shot within the eighth, serving to Cleveland to its third win in 4 video games.

The Indians did not have a success by 4 innings, however rapidly broke open a scoreless tie to maintain the strain on first-place Minnesota within the American League Central.

Kipnis hit a two-run homer off Trevor Cahill (Three-7), who changed injured starter Felix Pena within the second. Lindor’s three-run drive was off Justin Anderson.

Santana hit his team-leading 24th homer off Cam Bedrosian.

“We had good at-bats,” Lindor mentioned. “We feed off one another’s power. That is why it is contagious.”

Cleveland right-hander Adam Plutko (Four-2) allowed one run in 5⅓ innings. He was eliminated with runners on second and third, and Justin Upton hit a sacrifice fly off Nick Goody.

Upton added an RBI single within the eighth, however Adam Cimber struck out Kole Calhoun with two on to finish the inning.

Plutko had a easy technique as every inning handed and the sport remained scoreless.

“Get the leadoff man out, get the following man out and get the person after that out,” he mentioned. “Come again within the dugout and allow us to hit.”

Franmil Reyes, who was acquired in a three-team commerce Wednesday, lined a one-out double to left within the fifth for the Indians’ first hit. Kipnis homered to proper, his 10th of the season.

Kevin Plawecki was hit by a pitch and Anderson changed Cahill. Tyler Naquin singled and Lindor homered to heart for his 19th of the season.

Pena sprained his proper knee as he stepped on first base to file an out on a floor ball hit by Jose Ramirez. First baseman Albert Pujols fielded the ball and made a excessive underhand toss to Pena, who was masking the bag.

Pena reached for the ball and his left foot landed on the bottom. He hopped round on his left foot earlier than going to the bottom in ache holding his proper leg. The pitcher was finally carried to the dugout by Pujols and a coach.

Angels supervisor Brad Ausmus did not have an replace on Pena following the sport.

“I am not overly optimistic primarily based on his response,” he mentioned. “It did not look out of the odd aside from him happening proper after he hit the highest of the bag.”

Los Angeles has dropped seven of 9 to fall to .500 at 56-56.

KEEP YOUR SCHEDULE OPEN

Plutko had an fascinating week. The appropriate-hander initially was slated to observe starter Danny Salazar in Thursday’s recreation in opposition to Houston. That plan modified when Trevor Bauer was traded to Cincinnati on Wednesday, placing Plutko again within the rotation.

“It is not my first time doing it,” Plutko mentioned. “I simply really feel it is a part of my job. Generally I am within the bullpen. Generally I am beginning. Generally I am going per week between begins. I like it. I am going to do something for this workforce.”

TOUGH LUCK

Pena leads the Angels with eight wins, together with victories in three of his earlier 5 outings going into Saturday.

“He has pitched fairly nicely for us,” Ausmus mentioned. “We’re taking some hits within the beginning rotation.”

TRAINER’S ROOM

Angels: SS Andrelton Simmons was a late lineup scratch due to a sore left foot.

Indians: RHP Corey Kluber (damaged forearm) threw 35 pitches in a simulated recreation. He may start a minor league rehabilitation task Thursday. … RHP Salazar (strained proper groin) will rehab the damage in Tampa earlier than beginning a throwing program.

UP NEXT

Angels: RHP Jaime Barria (Four-Four, 6.28 ERA) has struggled away from his residence ballpark, permitting 24 earned runs in 20⅓ innings over 5 appearances on the street.

Indians: Shane Bieber (10-Four, Three.40 ERA) allowed two runs in seven innings in opposition to Houston in his final begin, however the All-Star Sport MVP was outpitched by Justin Verlander.