Easy does it: Indians’ win streak reaches 15

Tribe first to reach mark since ’02 A’s

CHICAGO — The Cleveland Indians didn’t need much help to match last season’s team-record 14-game winning streak, batting .317 and pitching to a 1.86 ERA over the past two weeks.

No. 15 was over almost before it started.

Cleveland jumped all over emergency starter Mike Pelfrey for seven runs in the first three innings, and Corey Kluber struck out 13 in seven innings of three-hit ball on Thursday, helping the Indians win their franchise-record 15th consecutive game, 11-2 over the Chicago White Sox.

Edwin Encarnacion hit a three-run homer in the first inning, and Cleveland went deep five times in becoming the first major league team to win 15 straight since the 2002 Oakland Athletics.

“The winning streak is enjoyable, and I think it’s got people’s attention, which gives me a chance to maybe brag on our guys a little, which I love,” Indians manager Terry Francona said. “Other than that, we just go play tomorrow.

“The Orioles are already sitting back home waiting for us. We’ll have our hands full. It just makes the games a little bit more fun because people are watching and they care.”

Yolmer Sanchez and Jose Abreu homered in the first for Chicago, but Kluber allowed only one more hit — a fifth-inning single by Omar Narvaez.

The right-hander retired 20 of his last 22 batters on his way to double-digit strikeouts for the 14th time this season and 38th of his career.

Erik Gonzalez hit two home runs, and Francisco Lindor and Greg Allen hit one apiece for the Indians. It was the first homer of Allen’s career.

The White Sox turned to Pelfrey (3-11), who threw 40 pitches in 2 1/3 innings of relief Tuesday, when Carlos Rodon (shoulder stiffness) was scratched about 15 minutes before game time. Pelfrey allowed seven runs on eight hits in four innings.

Rodon will have his shoulder examined Friday.

“Just a little soreness when I was trying to get it going,” Rodon said. “Just precautionary stuff. We’ll figure it out tomorrow with some pictures and see what happens. It just didn’t feel right. I didn’t want to mess anything up.”

Gene Michael, the slick-fielding shortstop nicknamed Stick who went on to manage the New

York Yankees and then as an executive built a power that won four World Series in five years, died Thursday. He was 79.

Michael had a heart attack and died at his home in Oldsmar, Florida, his wife, Joette, said.

At 6 feet 2 inches and about 180 pounds in his playing days, Michael hit .229 with 15 home runs in 10 big league seasons, seven with the Yankees from 1968 to 1974.

He made a far bigger impact during two terms as manager, two as general manager and then an adviser relied on by Brian Cashman, the team’s GM since 1998. He also managed the Chicago Cubs for two seasons.

A Yankees lifer,

Michael maintained durability during George Steinbrenner’s decades of tumult. During his second term as general manager, Michael put together the core of a roster that won World Series titles in 1996 and from 1998 to 2000.

“He was able to project so well what players would become,” Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. “He just had a great feel for the game.”

After watching the Yankees fall short in the 1980s with high-priced free agents, Michael preached patience with youth and nurtured Derek Jeter, Bernie Williams and other prospects. He installed an organization philosophy of patience at the plate to run up pitch counts.

■ Nationals: Victor Robles, Washington’s top prospect, was promoted from Double-a Harrisburg, fellow outfielders Rafael Bautista and Andrew Stevenson were recalled from Triple-a Syracuse, and right-hander Erick Fedde (right forearm flexor strain), a Las Vegas High and UNLV product, was transferred to the 60-day disabled list.

Robles, 20, hit .300 with 10 home runs, 47 RBIS and 27 steals in 114 games over two minor league stops this season. Manager Dusty Baker said Robles’ call-up was prompted by outfielder Brian Goodwin (left groin strain) having a setback in his rehabilitation.

Fedde, 24, who made his major league debut in July, went 0-1 with a 9.39 ERA in three starts with the Nationals.

■ Indians: All-star infielder Jose Ramirez

(sore right wrist) was out of Cleveland’s lineup and might be held out for multiple games, manager Terry Francona said. Ramirez, 24, is batting .305 with 25 home runs and 69 RBIS this season.

■ White Sox: Lefthander Carlos Rodon

(left shoulder stiffness) was scratched from his start Thursday against Cleveland. Also, righthanded reliever Jake Petricka (right elbow strain) was placed on the 10-day disabled list.

■ Rockies: Minor league right-hander Jon Keller was acquired from Baltimore as the player to be named in the April trade for right-handed reliever Miguel Castro.

■ Pirates: Right-handed reliever George Kontos (right groin strain) was activated from the disabled list.

■ Mets: Infielder

Wilmer Flores (broken nose) was ruled out for the rest of the season.