Record in sight for Indians
ANAHEIM, Calif. — Shortstop Francisco Lindor homered to lead the Indians to a 4-1 victory and three-game sweep of the Los Angeles Angels on Thursday, Cleveland’s 27th win in its last 28 games.
The record for most victories with only one loss is 29, set by the 1884 Providence Grays.
After hitting a two-run homer Wednesday night, Lindor came back with a game-winning, three-run homer in the fifth Thursday afternoon off Parker Bridwell (8-3) to break up a 1-1 game. It was his 32nd home run.
The victory was Cleveland’s 11th straight over the Angels, who have lost four of their last five overall in a struggling effort to overtake the Minnesota Twins for the final AL wild-card berth.
Cleveland started righthander Danny Salazar on Thursday, largely in an effort to see if he can be a viable postseason reliever. He went 22⁄3 innings, allowing the one run, two hits and three walks.
CUBS 5, BREWERS 3 (10): Javier Baez grounded a tying single with two outs in the ninth inning, Kris Bryant hit a tworun homer in the 10th, and Chicago widened its NL Central lead over the Brewers, winning in Milwaukee.
DODGERS 5, PHILLIES 4: Pinch hitter Andre Ethier and Curtis Granderson homered as Los Angeles clinched a tie for the NL West title, ending a four-game losing streak by beating host Philadelphia.
CARDINALS 8, REDS 5: Dexter Fowler delivered again, getting three hits and driving in two runs as St. Louis overcame Scott Schebler’s two home runs to beat host Cincinnati.
BRAVES 3, NATIONALS 2: R.A. Dickey frustrated Washington with his knuckleball for eight innings, Ozzie Albies had three hits, and Atlanta beat the visiting Nationals.
TWINS 12, TIGERS 1: Joe Mauer and Jorge Polanco had three hits each, and Minnesota extended its lead for the AL’s second wild card by winning at Detroit.
ORIOLES 3, RAYS 1: Gabriel Ynoa pitched eight innings of five-hit ball, Manny Machado homered, and Baltimore beat visiting Tampa Bay in a matchup between fading American League East teams.
ROYALS 1, BLUE JAYS 0: Jason Vargas and four relievers combined on a two-hitter, Melky Cabrera had three hits and the game’s only RBI, and Kansas City won at Toronto.