Rampaging Indians extend win streak
Encarnacion belts 3-run homer in Orioles rout
>> CLEVELAND: Edwin Encarnacion and the Cleveland Indians won their 16th straight game, extending the best streak in franchise history by beating the Baltimore Orioles 5-0 on Friday night.
Encarnacion hit a three-run homer in the first inning into some trees next to Heritage Park, the team’s hallowed area where past Cleveland stars and teams are immortalised.
Mike Clevinger (9-5) improved his chances to pitch in the postseason with six strong innings as AL Central leaders became just the third team in the expansion era — since 1961 — to win 16 straight in a season.
Cleveland’s string is the longest in the majors since Oakland won 20 straight in 2002. The longest winning streak in major league history is 21 by the 1935 Chicago Cubs.
The 1916 New York Giants had a string of 26 wins and one tie.
Encarnacion hit his 34th home run, connecting off Wade Miley (8-12).
In Phoenix, the Arizona Diamondbacks’ team-record 13-game winning streak ended when Manuel Margot drove in four runs that led San Diego to a 10-6 win.
Down 8-0, the Diamondbacks scored twice in the fifth and then added four more runs in the sixth. Padres reliever Craig Stammen retired two batters with the bases loaded to preserve an 8-6 lead.
Jordan Lyles (1-2), in his second start for the Padres, pitched into the sixth.
In Boston, Drew Pomeranz did not allow a hit until the fifth inning and gave up two runs over six and Mookie Betts hit a three-run homer as the Red Sox routed the Rays 9-3.