Encarnacion smacks 3 HRs in rout

CLEVELAND — Edwin Encarnacion’s big day included a congratulatory phone call from another Dominican slugger.

Encarnacion homered three times and drove in six runs, helping Corey Kluber and the Indians beat the Rangers 12-4 on Wednesday.

The 35-year-old Encarnacion said Angels slugger Albert Pujols made a FaceTime call to him after the victory.

“We used to talk a lot,” Encarnacion said. “He called mealmost every day and we’d talk about hitting. He’s a great guy.”

Encarnacion hit a three-run homer in the first, a two-run shot in the second and a solo drive in the eighth. The designated hitter leads the team with nine homers despite a .191 batting average.

“I feel very comfortable about myself and I know what I can do,” he said. “It’s just about timing and about playing.”

Encarnacion also had a slow start last season and was batting .198 in mid-May. He finished with a .258 average, 38 homers and 107 RBIs.

“We’ve all seen how hot he can get where he can kind of put you on his shoulders a little bit,” Indians manager Terry Francona said.

Jason Kipnis and Francisco Lindor also connected in the Indians’ highest-scoring game of the season. Kipnis’ three-run shot in the second was his first of the season.

Kluber (5-1) allowed three solo homers in seven innings in his fifth straight win. The reigning AL Cy Young Award winner struck out six and walked none.

“Obviously that’s a huge cushion,” Kluber said of the offense scoring nine times in the first two innings. “It allows you to go out there and be aggressive and attack the zone and ideally get deep into the game.”