Brantley’s homer rescues Indians after blown save
CLEVELAND — No one had seen the Cleveland Indians’ closer-by-committee since May 11. Maybe that was a blessing in disguise.
The committee resurfaced last night, long enough for Cody Allen to blow a save in the ninth inning as he gave up a pinch-hit homer to J.D. Martinez. Undaunted, the Indians bounced back to beat the Detroit Tigers 5-4 on Michael Brantley’s two-out homer in the 10th inning off Al Alburquerque’s full-count pitch.
Brantley’s homer, a shot into the Tigers bullpen in right field, was his ninth of the season and broke Cleveland’s four-game losing streak.
“As long as we win, that’s the main thing,” Indians manager Terry Francona said. “But the way it ended — that was great.”
When Brantley got to the plate after rounding the bases, his teammates doused him with water.
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The Indians were two outs from victory when Allen gave up a gametying homer to Martinez in the ninth to ruin a strong start by Corey Kluber.
In Sunday’s 13-3 loss to Oakland, Allen allowed three runs without recording an out in the eighth inning.
“There was no carryover from Sunday,” Allen said. “I felt uncomfortable on the mound Sunday, but I felt good tonight. A guy came off the bench cold and hit a 96 mph fastball. It wasn’t a great pitch, but it wasn’t a bad pitch.”
Allen, Scott Atchison (1-0) — who pitched the 10th to earn the win — Bryan Shaw and Marc Rzpeczynski are the current closers until John Axford pitches himself back to form.
Rookie Jesus Aguilar, who could be optioned to the Clippers today when Jason Giambi is activated, put the Indians ahead 4-3 with a sacrifice fly to score Yan Gomes in the seventh. It was Aguilar’s second RBI of the game.
Kluber allowed three runs and eight hits in seven innings.
“Corey just keeps doing what he’s been doing, giving us innings and keeping us in the game,” Allen said.
The Tigers, limited to one run in the first six innings, tied it in the seventh on Rajai Davis’ two-run double.
The Indians built their 3-1 lead through six innings against a Detroit team that didn’t get to Progressive Field until about 4 p.m., after having to spend Sunday night in Boston because of plane problems.
The Indians took a 1-0 lead against lefty Drew Smyly in the first when Asdrubal Cabrera scored on a wild pitch.
Victor Martinez quickly got that run back with a leadoff homer in the second off Kluber.
The Indians made it 3-1 with two runs in the fifth.
Ryan Raburn singled with one out, and Gomes drew a two-out walk to keep the inning going.
The Tribe’s only problem was Nick Swisher was at the plate; Swisher, off to the worst start in his career, was in an 0-for-8 skid. But he worked the count to 2 and 2 against Smyly before sending a single into center field to score Raburn for a 2-1 lead.
Aguilar, 0 for 6 since being called up from the Clippers on Thursday, followed with an RBI single to the hole at short.
Bauer power
Trevor Bauer will start for the Indians tonight. A move will have to be made before the game to clear a roster spot for him.