CLEVELAND — Trevor Bauer, starting in place of an ill Danny Salazar, allowed one run in eight innings and the Cleveland Indians defeated the Los Angeles Angels 3-1 on Friday night.
Bauer (10-10) won for the second time in nine starts. He replaced Salazar, who was scratched because of a virus. Bauer allowed five hits and struck out seven.
Jason Kipnis, the American League’s leading hitter (.324), drove in the go-ahead run with a seventh-inning single to cap a three-run rally. Kipnis, who had struck out twice and hit into a double play in his first three at-bats, delivered off Trevor Gott (2-2).
Kaleb Cowart’s RBI single in the fifth drove in the Angels’ only run. Los Angeles entered the night one-half game behind Texas for the second wild-card spot in the AL.
Cody Allen worked a perfect ninth for his 27th save.
Salazar became ill Tuesday and missed a couple of days of his routine between starts. Bauer, originally scheduled to start Saturday, was informed Thursday that his outing would be moved up a day. He was pitching on his regular four days’ rest between starts.
Indians manager Terry Francona used three straight pinch-hitters to start the go-ahead rally. Lonnie Chisenhall drew a leadoff walk and was forced at second on Jose Ramirez’s failed sacrifice attempt.
Abraham Almonte, batting for Mike Aviles, tied the game with a double to the wall in left-centre on Gott’s first pitch. Kipnis followed with a single to centre, giving Cleveland the lead.
Carlos Santana added an RBI single off Jose Alvarez.
Rookie left-hander Andrew Heaney pitched six scoreless innings, but Gott quickly gave up the lead.
Heaney allowed six hits and struck out three. Cowart singled on a 3-2 pitch with two outs in the fifth to break a scoreless tie.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Angels: 3B David Freese (right index finger fracture) began a minor league rehab assignment with Triple-A Salt Lake on Friday.
Indians: 1B/OF Chris Johnson (left hand infection) began a minor league rehab assignment at Double-A Akron on Friday.
UP NEXT
Angels: RHP Garrett Richards allowed a season-high nine runs over five innings Sunday in a 12-5 loss to Toronto. He is 2-4 in last eight starts and 12-10 on the season.
Indians: RHP Corey Kluber leads the American League with 194 1-3 innings pitched and four complete games. His 13 losses are tied for the most in the AL.
