All-Stars Lindor, Bieber lead Indians to win over Reds

CINCINNATI >> Francisco Lindor homered twice, Roberto Perez connected on a tiebreaking shot in the eighth inning, and the Cleveland Indians pulled away to their fifth straight victory at Great American Ball Park on Saturday, 7-2 over the Cincinnati Reds.

The Indians have won nine of their last 11 games in Cincinnati and lead the intrastate series 62-50. They’ve taken two of three this season.

Cleveland has won five in a row overall, matching its longest winning streak of the season.

Shane Bieber (8-3) gave one of his best performances a day after he learned he’d made the All-Star Game in Cleveland next week, replacing Texas’ Mike Minor. He allowed four hits in eight innings — three by Yasiel Puig two-run homer.

Lindor and Bieber are among a contingent of four Indians who will participate in the game Tuesday on their home field.

ORIOLES 8, BLUE JAYS 1 >> Andrew Cashner pitched seven strong innings to win his third straight start, Renato Nunez hit a two-run home run and Baltimore beat Toronto. , who had a TWINS 7, RANGERS 4 >> Michael Pineda struck out a season-high nine over six efficient innings, Jason Castro had two hits and three RBIs, and Minnesota beat Texas.

Pineda (6-4) gave up five hits and a run on a solo homer in the sixth inning by Elvis Andrus. The big right-hander had his most strikeouts since 2017 with the Yankees prior to a Tommy John surgery that sidelined him for all of 2018. NATIONALS 6, ROYALS 0 >> Max Scherzer sustained a dominant stretch with seven strong innings, Kurt Suzuki homered and Washington beat Kansas City.

The NL pitcher of the month for June, Scherzer (9-5) allowed four hits and struck out 11 with one walk in his final start before heading to Tuesday’s All-Star