Indians’ 21 in row best in AL history

CLEVELAND — The Indians are on a streak for the ages.

Moving past the “Moneyball” Athletics, the Indians set the AL record Wednesday with their 21st straight victory, a 5-3 decision over the Tigers. They joined only two other teams in the last 101 years to win that many consecutive games.

Jay Bruce hit a three-run homer and Mike Clevinger (10-5) won his fourth straight start as the Indians, a team with its sights set on ending the majors’ longest World Series title drought, matched the 1935 Cubs for the second-longest streak since 1900.

In doing so, they separated themselves from every AL team since the league was formed in 1901.

“Who would’ve ever thought that we’d be in this situation?” Bruce said. “I can’t even imagine.”

The Indians are within five wins of catching the 1916 New York Giants, who won 26 straight without a loss but whose century-old mark includes a tie.

“They’re enjoying themselves,” manager Terry Francona said. “They should. What’s kind of cool about our game is when you do things, and you do them the right way, I think it means more. Our guys are playing the game to win, the right way.

“That part’s very meaningful. It’s pretty special.”

Their starters have gone 19-0 with a 1.70 ERA, they’ve outscored their opponents 139-35 and they’ve trailed in only four of 189 innings.

The defending AL champs reduced their magic number for winning their second straight AL Central title to 4. They’ve also passed the Astros for the league’s best record, and the team with the best overall mark will have home-field advantage in the playoffs.