Santana blast puts Indians back in front in AL Central
CLEVELAND — The comeback’s complete. Four months later, the Indians are again atop the American League Central.
Carlos Santana homered leading off the ninth inning, and Cleveland continued its stunning climb with a 6-5 win over the fast-fading Boston Red Sox on Monday, moving the Indians into sole possession of first place for the first time since April 19.
After the Red Sox tied it in the top of the inning off closer Brad Hand, Santana, who hit a grand slam in the 10th to beat Minnesota on Sunday, connected on a 2-2 pitch from Marcus Walden (7-2). Santana’s shot barely cleared the wall in left to give the Indians their biggest win in a season that seemingly grows more special every day.
“Right when you get punched in the stomach he takes a swing like that,” Francona said of Santana, who connected for his 200th homer with Cleveland. “That was a gorgeous swing. I know the last two days, but he’s been doing it all year.”
Santana, who has had a storybook return to Cleveland after playing in Philadelphia last season, circled the bases and was mobbed at home by his overjoyed teammates, who trailed the idle Minnesota Twins by 11½ games at one point but have gone an Mlb-best 43-17 since June 4.
“Nobody threw in the towel,” said Hand, who blew his second save in two days but got bailed out again by Santana. “Nobody gave up, and we all battled together.”
Jose Ramirez hit a three-run homer and Franmil Reyes had a two-run shot as the Indians moved 25 games over .500 with their sixth walk-off win.
It’s been an uphill battle for months, but the Indians are finally in front — and hope to stay there.
J.D. Martinez and Jackie Bradley Jr. homered, but Boston lost for the 12th time in 15 games.