The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Indians’ streak ends in salute
Fans cheer after defeat snaps AL-record run.
When reality set in, the ovation steadily grew as the Cleveland Indians emerged from their dugout.
With the scoreboard showing a loss and the Kansas City Royals shaking hands and high-fiving each other nearby, the Indians tipped their caps to salute fans who came hoping to see more late-inning magic and a record streak continue.
The Indians, who captured America’s attention during a dominating three-week run, had their AL-record winning streak stopped at 22 straight Friday night with a 4-3 loss to the Royals, who became the first team to defeat the defending league champions since Aug. 23.
Jason Vargas (16-10) pitched into the sixth and Brandon Moss homered off Trevor Bauer (16-9) as the Royals, who were beaten five times by Cleveland over the past few weeks, ended baseball’s longest win streak in 101 years.
But when it ended, there was a celebration as a crowd of 34,025 saluted its team.
“They’ve been so supportive,” said Indians manager Terry Francona, who led his team out of the dugout. “The atmosphere around here is incredible, and I think our players wanted to show their appreciation. It’s by no means the last game of the year or anything like that, it’s just been pretty incredible how they’ve reacted and we just wanted to show our appreciation because we don’t take it for granted.”
The Indians set a league mark and came within four of matching the overall record held by the 1916 New York Giants, a 26-game string that became the subject of scrutiny because it included a tie.
After a win in extra innings Thursday night, the Indians couldn’t rally again.
When Francisco Lindor, one of the stars in Cleveland’s 3-2 win on Thursday, struck out with a runner on first to end it, the crowd experienced the slightest moment of disappointment before appreciating what they had seen. And as they stood and cheered, the Indians clapped in return.
Cubs: Catcher Willson Contreras was suspended for two games and fined an undisclosed amount for what MLB called “inappropriate actions” during Chicago’s win over the Cardinals on Friday. Pitcher John Lackey also was fined an undisclosed amount. Contreras appealed the suspension and was in the lineup Saturday. Contreras and Lackey were ejected for arguing with home plate umpire Jordan Baker.
Dodgers: Right-hander Brandon McCarthy (knee and finger blister) pitched six innings for Double-A Tulsa in the Texas League playoffs Friday night and is expected to be activated next week.
Nationals: Outfielder Bryce Harper (hyperextended left knee) ran the bases at three-quarters speed as part of his ongoing effort to return for postseason play.
Astros: Right-hander Lance McCullers threw a bullpen session, and the team will see how he feels today before deciding if he’ll start Tuesday against the White Sox.
Twins: With 21 consecutive steals, Byron Buxton is tied with Zoilo Versalles for the third-longest streak in Twins history. Chuck Knoblauch and Matt Lawton stole 22 in a row.