Sep 16, 2017; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor hits a two-run RBI double against the Kansas City Royals during the sixth inning at Progressive Field. Photo Credit: Scott R. Galvin-USA TODAY Sports
CLEVELAND – The Cleveland Indians had to wait awhile, but they eventually clinched the American League Central title on Saturday.
The Indians took care of their game as Francisco Lindor had three hits and Edwin Encarnacion homered and had two RBIs as the Indians beat the Kansas City Royals 8-4.
That brought their magic number to one, and the Indians clinched later in the day when the second-place Minnesota Twins lost to the Toronto Blue Jays 7-2.
It’s the second straight division title for Cleveland, which lost to the Chicago Cubs in last year’s World Series.
In Saturday’s victory, Lindor had an extra-base hit in a 10th consecutive game, which is a team record. Carlos Carrasco (16-6) pitched into the seventh inning to get the win.
Jason Hammel (8-12) gave up seven runs (six earned) and 11 hits in six innings in taking the loss.
Dodgers 3, Nationals 2
WASHINGTON — Rich Hill allowed just one hit and one run in five innings and combined with five relievers on a four-hitter and rookie Cody Bellinger was 2-for-3 with a home run and two RBIs as Los Angeles defeated Washington.
After losing 11 games in a row, the Dodgers have now won four straight. The Nationals have lost four of five since clinching the National League East title Sept. 10.
Closer Kenley Jansen pitched the ninth for his 38th save as he retired all three batters he faced.
Reds 2, Pirates 1
CINCINNATI — Sal Romano shut out Pittsburgh through a career-high eight innings to lead the Cincinnati victory.
Jesse Winker homered, and Romano (5-6) allowed only five hits and had six strikeouts with no walks.
Yankees 9, Orioles 3
NEW YORK — Didi Gregorius, Greg Bird and Todd Frazier homered as New York continued its production against Baltimore.
Gregorius and Bird homered for the second straight game by hitting three-run homers off Jeremy Hellickson (2-5) in the third and fourth innings. Frazier capped the scoring with a long-two run homer in the seventh off Donnie Hart.
The Yankees, who are 12-6 against the Orioles, have scored 150 runs against the Orioles, setting the major league record for the most runs scored by any team against an opponent since 1961.
Cubs 4, Cardinals 1
CHICAGO — Kyle Hendricks allowed one run on six hits and carried a shutout into the eighth inning as he presided over Chicago’s fifth straight win.
Hendricks (7-5) struck out five and walked one in his third victory since coming off the disabled list on Aug. 26. Cubs reliever Wade Davis faced four batters in a scoreless ninth for his 30th save in 30 opportunities.
Albert Almora Jr. was 3-for-4 with two RBIs. Anthony Rizzo added two hits while Dexter Fowler topped St. Louis with a pair.
Astros 8, Mariners 6
HOUSTON — Dallas Keuchel (13-4) worked six strong innings and Joe Musgrove provided effective relief work in Houston’s win.
Musgrove inherited two runners with no outs in the eighth inning with the Astros holding a two-run lead. Musgrove recorded a pair of strikeouts before getting Seattle catcher Carlos Ruiz to pop out. Musgrove returned in the ninth and picked up his first career save despite allowing a two-out homer to Mitch Haniger.
The Astros (90-58) reached 90 victories in a season for the first time since 2004.
Carlos Beltran finished 3-for-4 with a double and a pair of RBIs.
Red Sox 3, Rays 1
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Rick Porcello took a shutout into the eighth inning to help Boston win its third straight game.
The Red Sox, who have won eight of their last 10 games, got a solo home run and an RBI single from Mookie Betts.
Red Sox closer Craig Kimbrel pitched a 1-2-3 ninth for his 33rd save and his seventh straight scoreless appearance.
White Sox 10, Tigers 4
DETROIT — Nicky Delmonico and Matt Davidson hit solo home runs and Jose Abreu moved closer to another 100-RBI season with a run-scoring single plus a sacrifice fly to lead Chicago past Detroit.
Abreu has 97 RBIs to close in on his fourth straight season of 25 home runs and 100 RBIs to begin his career.
The Tigers have lost seven of their last eight games.
Mets 7, Braves 3
ATLANTA — Jacob deGrom allowed one run over seven innings and won his career-best 15th game as New York snapped a five-game losing streak by beating Atlanta.
DeGrom (15-9) gave up five hits, two walks and struck out seven to secure his first win since Aug. 25. His only hiccup was a solo homer to Freddie Freeman, his 27th, who had two of Atlanta’s hits.
The Mets strung together 11 hits and handed Atlanta starter R.A. Dickey (9-10) his first career loss against his former team.
Blue Jays 7, Twins 2
MINNEAPOLIS — Josh Donaldson homered twice and Jose Bautista broke out of a slump with a three-hit night as Toronto beat Minnesota.
Donaldson homered in the first and ninth innings to bookend his four-hit night. Bautista, who came into Saturday’s game in the midst of an 0-for-17 skid, went 3-for-4 with a double and an RBI.
Marlins 7, Brewers 4
MILWAUKEE — Adam Conley picked up his first victory since Aug. 20 and Derek Dietrich hit his 12th home run of the season to help Miami snap a six-game losing streak by beating Milwaukee.
The Marlins’ offense collected 12 hits, with Dee Gordon, Marcell Ozuna and Dietrich recording two apiece.
Zach Davies (17-9) never had his command and lasted just four innings — his shortest start of the season.
