CLEVELAND — Francisco Lindor and Jason Kipnis homered during Cleveland's five-run fifth inning, and the Indians beat the Los Angeles Angels 7-2 on Saturday night.
Carlos Santana added a solo shot in the eighth, helping Cleveland to its third win in four games.
The Indians didn't have a hit through four innings, but quickly broke open a scoreless tie to keep the pressure on first-place Minnesota in the AL Central.
Cleveland's rally came moments after Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield was shown on the scoreboard, sitting in a Progressive Field suite. Mayfield drank from a beer can after biting into it and showed off his Lindor jersey, leading to a loud cheer from the crowd.
"I just don’t like the idea of my franchise quarterback spending time at a baseball game. I mean, what are you doing, @bakermayfield? You don’t see guys like Aaron Rodgers shotgunning beers. Just not a good look. Go watch some film." - @ColinCowherd (probably)
Legend. pic.twitter.com/IUCW1Kp4s3
— Cleveland Indians (@Indians) August 4, 2019
Santana hit his team-leading 24th homer off Cam Bedrosian.
Carlos Santana.
This is him.
He has hit 24 HRs this year.
Get his red promo jersey on September 4th.
Good talk.#RallyTogether pic.twitter.com/cZ23Xm4cfO
— Cleveland Indians (@Indians) August 4, 2019
Cleveland right-hander Adam Plutko (4-2) allowed one run in 5 1/3 innings. He was removed with runners on second and third, and Justin Upton hit a sacrifice fly off Nick Goody.
Upton added an RBI single in the eighth, but Adam Cimber struck out Kole Calhoun with two on to end the inning.
Franmil Reyes, who was acquired in a three-team trade Wednesday, lined a one-out double to left in the fifth for the Indians' first hit. Kipnis homered to right, his 10th of the season.
Soaring ... Flying ...#RallyTogether pic.twitter.com/s0BKMHbVCF
— Cleveland Indians (@Indians) August 4, 2019
Kevin Plawecki was hit by a pitch and Anderson replaced Cahill. Tyler Naquin singled and Lindor homered to center for his 19th of the season.
... There's not a star in Heaven that we can't reach.#RallyTogether pic.twitter.com/2VKciCZwzl
— Cleveland Indians (@Indians) August 4, 2019
Peña sprained his right knee as he stepped on first base to record an out on a ground ball hit by José Ramírez. First baseman Albert Pujols fielded the ball and made a high underhand toss to Peña, who was covering the bag.
Peña reached for the ball and his left foot landed on the base. He hopped around on his left foot before going to the ground in pain holding his right leg. The pitcher was eventually carried to the dugout by Pujols and a trainer.
Los Angeles has dropped seven of nine to fall to .500 at 56-56.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Angels: SS Andrelton Simmons was a late lineup scratch because of a sore left foot.
Indians: RHP Corey Kluber (broken forearm) threw 35 pitches in a simulated game. He could begin a minor league rehabilitation assignment Thursday. ... RHP Danny Salazar (strained right groin) will rehab the injury in Tampa before starting a throwing program.
UP NEXT
Angels: RHP Jaime Barria (4-4, 6.28 ERA) has struggled away from his home ballpark, allowing 24 earned runs in 20 1/3 innings over five appearances on the road.
Indians: Shane Bieber (10-4, 3.40 ERA) allowed two runs in seven innings against Houston in his last start, but the All-Star Game MVP was outpitched by Justin Verlander.
