CLEVELAND (AP) — The comebacks complete. Four months later, the Indians are again atop the AL Central.
Carlos Santana homered leading off the ninth inning as Cleveland continued its stunning climb with a 6-5 win over the fast-fading Boston Red Sox on Monday night, moving the Indians into sole possession of first place for the first time since April 19.
CARLOS SANTANA WALKS IT OFF AND THE @INDIANS MOVE ON UP INTO 1ST PLACE IN THE AL CENTRAL!!!!#RALLYTOGETHER pic.twitter.com/NbYaUK3cTO
— SportsTime Ohio (@SportsTimeOhio) August 13, 2019
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). Santanas 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 hes been doing it all year.”
Carlos Santana's gorgeous swing was, to Tito, the perfect remedy for the previous half-inning's stomach punch.#RallyTogether | @Indians pic.twitter.com/XlyIwfN4Ta
— SportsTime Ohio (@SportsTimeOhio) August 13, 2019
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 11 ½ games 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.”
José Ramírez 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.
Its been an uphill battle for months, but the Indians are finally in front — and hope to stay there.
“Playing these type of high-energy atmosphere games, its amazing,” said Indians rookie starter Zach Plesac. “I feel the chemistry we have is special. Everyone feels it. Its been so much fun, this whole ride, this whole year coming back and battling up to first place. We have something great going.”
.@ZPlesac captures the confidence that this @Indians lineup inspires.
"There's never a doubt like we're gonna lose a game. Ever."#RallyTogether pic.twitter.com/mkTQ2I2bgG
— SportsTime Ohio (@SportsTimeOhio) August 13, 2019
Down 5-1 after three innings, the Red Sox chipped away and finally tied it in the ninth on a two-out double by Xander Bogaerts off Hand (6-3). The left-hander gave up a one-out walk and struck out Rafael Devers before Bogaerts doubled off the right-field wall.
“It was joyful for a quick five minutes,” Bogaerts said. “Its rough.”
An All-Star, Hand has not had his usual command in his last few outings.
“I just cant make the big pitch to get out of it,” Hand said. “I had a chance yesterday to get out of some stuff — two outs, runner on first today, but I just cant make that pitch to get the job done right now.”
J.D. Martinez and Jackie Bradley Jr. homered, but Boston lost for the 12th time in 15 games.
The defending World Series champions are quickly vanishing from the playoff picture as well. They came in trailing the New York Yankees by 16 games in the AL East and 7 ½ back in the wild-card race.
“Its not easy. You fight, fight, fight and in one swing, its over,” Red Sox manager Joey Cora said.
FIRST SHOT
The Indians were without slugger Yasiel Puig, who pulled the appeal of his three-game sRead More – Source
CLEVELAND (AP) — The comebacks complete. Four months later, the Indians are again atop the AL Central.
Carlos Santana homered leading off the ninth inning as Cleveland continued its stunning climb with a 6-5 win over the fast-fading Boston Red Sox on Monday night, moving the Indians into sole possession of first place for the first time since April 19.
CARLOS SANTANA WALKS IT OFF AND THE @INDIANS MOVE ON UP INTO 1ST PLACE IN THE AL CENTRAL!!!!#RALLYTOGETHER pic.twitter.com/NbYaUK3cTO
— SportsTime Ohio (@SportsTimeOhio) August 13, 2019
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). Santanas 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 hes been doing it all year.”
Carlos Santana's gorgeous swing was, to Tito, the perfect remedy for the previous half-inning's stomach punch.#RallyTogether | @Indians pic.twitter.com/XlyIwfN4Ta
— SportsTime Ohio (@SportsTimeOhio) August 13, 2019
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 11 ½ games 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.”
José Ramírez 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.
Its been an uphill battle for months, but the Indians are finally in front — and hope to stay there.
“Playing these type of high-energy atmosphere games, its amazing,” said Indians rookie starter Zach Plesac. “I feel the chemistry we have is special. Everyone feels it. Its been so much fun, this whole ride, this whole year coming back and battling up to first place. We have something great going.”
.@ZPlesac captures the confidence that this @Indians lineup inspires.
"There's never a doubt like we're gonna lose a game. Ever."#RallyTogether pic.twitter.com/mkTQ2I2bgG
— SportsTime Ohio (@SportsTimeOhio) August 13, 2019
Down 5-1 after three innings, the Red Sox chipped away and finally tied it in the ninth on a two-out double by Xander Bogaerts off Hand (6-3). The left-hander gave up a one-out walk and struck out Rafael Devers before Bogaerts doubled off the right-field wall.
“It was joyful for a quick five minutes,” Bogaerts said. “Its rough.”
An All-Star, Hand has not had his usual command in his last few outings.
“I just cant make the big pitch to get out of it,” Hand said. “I had a chance yesterday to get out of some stuff — two outs, runner on first today, but I just cant make that pitch to get the job done right now.”
J.D. Martinez and Jackie Bradley Jr. homered, but Boston lost for the 12th time in 15 games.
The defending World Series champions are quickly vanishing from the playoff picture as well. They came in trailing the New York Yankees by 16 games in the AL East and 7 ½ back in the wild-card race.
“Its not easy. You fight, fight, fight and in one swing, its over,” Red Sox manager Joey Cora said.
FIRST SHOT
The Indians were without slugger Yasiel Puig, who pulled the appeal of his three-game sRead More – Source
