Pillar helps Blue Jays walk off Indians

TORONTO 3 CLEVELAND 2 (11 innings)

TORONTO — With a lineup loaded with prospects and callups, it was the Toronto Blue Jays’ longest-tenured player who provided the dramatics on Friday night.

Kevin Pillar hit a solo shot in the 11th inning to give Toronto a 3-2 walkoff victory over the Cleveland Indians. He turned on a 2-1 pitch from sidearm reliever Adam Cimber (3-6) for his 12th home run of the season.

“When you’re pitching in a situation like that and you make a mistake, sometimes you go home,” said Indians manager Terry Francona.

The no-doubt blast was Pillar’s second career walkoff home run. Reliever Danny Barnes (3-2) recorded one out for the victory.

Rowdy Tellez had the statisticians working overtime by hitting two more doubles on the night. He became the first player since 1913 to record six doubles in his first three career games. Tellez also became the first American League rookie to hit six or more doubles in a three-game stretch since Joe DiMaggio in 1936.

“It’s been incredible, it’s been historic,” said Pillar. “He just seems to be very comfortable in the box. It’s one thing to go out there and drive the ball all over the field, but it’s the way he’s going about his at-bats.

“He’s on pitches, he’s taking good pitches, he’s got a pretty good idea of what he wants to do at the plate. He’s been using the whole field and it’s been fun to watch.”

Cleveland, which entered play with a magic number of seven to clinch the American League Central title, fell to 80-61. Toronto improved to 64-77.

Indians starter Carlos Carrasco didn’t factor in the decision despite a strong eight-inning effort. He matched a season-high with 14 strikeouts and allowed six hits, one earned run and a walk.