MLB notebook: Indians get back on winning track

Francisco Lindor popped out of the chair at his clubhouse cubicle and asked a question before any reporter could.

“You guys aren’t going to ask me about the streak, are you?” Cleveland’s jovial shortstop said, smiling. Well, yes. Yours. While the Indians’ historic winning streak is no longer the talk of baseball, Lindor’s on a personal roll that’s become notable.

The all-star set a club record with another extra-base hit and the Indians bounced back after having their AL-record streak stopped at 22 by beating the Kansas City Royals 8-4 on Saturday to move to the brink of a Central title.

Lindor’s double in the sixth off Jason Hammel (8-12) gave him an extrabase hit in 10 straight games — a club record and four shy of the major league mark of 14, shared by Chipper Jones (2006) and Paul Waner (1927).

“I didn’t even know that,” Lindor said. “I saw it on the scoreboard.”

Carlos Carrasco (16-6) pitched into the seventh as the Indians improved to 32-5 in their last 37 games.

With the win, and the Twins’ loss to the Blue Jays, the Indians clinched the division. SUSPENDED: Cubs catcher Willson Contreras was suspended for two games and fined an undisclosed amount for what Major League Baseball called “inappropriate actions” during Chicago’s win over the St. Louis Cardinals on Friday.

Cubs pitcher John Lackey also was fined an undisclosed amount. DODGERS STREAKING: Cody Bellinger hit his 38th homer to match the National League single-season record for rookies as the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Washington Nationals 3-2 Saturday to inch closer to the NL West title.

Los Angeles also moved seven games ahead of Washington in the race to secure home-field advantage throughout the NL playoffs.

The Dodgers have won four straight since dropping 11 in a row.