Indians blow four-run lead
TORONTO — The Indians’ offense woke up, but their starting pitching continues to slumber. Meanwhile, the injuries are mounting.
Danny Salazar, entrusted with a 7-3 lead in the third inning, couldn’t hold it. In fact he didn’t make it through three innings as Toronto came from behind to beat the Indians 8-7 on Ryan Goins’ two-out, basesloaded single in the ninth.
Cody Allen, pitching in a non-save situation, walked Justin Smoak and Steve Pearce to load the bases with two out. Goins drove Allen’s first pitch down the right-field line for the winning single.
“Cody has been fighting his command all trip,” manager Terry Francona said.
Allen says walks are hurting him.
“I’ve definitely been playing with fire the last couple of times out,” said Allen. “The walks are killing me. The deep counts are killing me. Tonight it cost us a chance to win a ballgame.
As for an offensive awakening, well, it lasted three innings before hibernation once again set in. Toronto’s bullpen threw six scoreless innings to help secure the win.
The Indians ended this rain-shortened nine-game, 10-day trip at 4-5. Francona said the trip was more about “survival” than anything else because the offense managed to score just 26 runs, an average of 2.8 per game.
Salazar and Toronto starter Francisco Liriano did not stick around long. The Indians took a 2-0 lead in the first on a two-run double by Jason Kipnis. Salazar returned the favor in the bottom of the inning as he allowed a three-run homer to Jose Bautista.
The Indians scored five times in the third to chase Liriano and take a 7-3 lead. Brandon Guyer had the big hit with a threerun double.
Salazar came out for the third with a four-run lead and the Blue Jays quickly scored two runs. Salazar walked Bautista and allowed a double to Justin Smoak to put runners on second and third. A sacrifice fly by Steve Pearce and an RBI single by Goins made it 7-5 and sent Salazar to the bench.
Salazar allowed five runs on five hits in 2 innings. In his past two starts, he has allowed five runs on 13 hits and six walks in 7 innings.
Dan Otero relieved Salazar and escaped the third, but Ezequiel Carrera burned him with a two-run homer in the fourth to make it 7-7.
The Indians lost center fielder Abraham Almonte in the second. He injured his right shoulder during an at-bat that ended the second inning. Michael Martinez replaced him.
Catcher Yan Gomes left in the third inning due to illness. Roberto Perez replaced him.