CLEVELAND -- A playoff contender in September, the Indians drew their largest
crowd in almost a month and gave fans something to cheer about.
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allowed four hits in seven shutout innings, Michael Brantley hit a two-run homer
in a three-run first inning and the Indians maintained their hold on an AL
wild-card spot with a 4-1 win over the Houston Astros on Saturday night.
Cleveland leads Texas by a half-game for the ALs second wild card. The Indians,
who have won eight of their last 10, trail Tampa Bay by a half-game for the
wild-card lead. "Theres nothing like that atmosphere," Nick Swisher said. "Weve
got to keep winning, but Im telling you, man, when you have fan support like
that its so easy to get up for games. Were so happy everybody showed up and
everybody had a great time." Swisher, who scored a run, had a hit and walked
twice, picked up the tab for a postgame fireworks show. Despite being in the
playoff race, Cleveland went into Saturday 14th among AL teams in attendance at
19,317, ahead of only Tampa Bay (18,457), according to STATS. Saturdays crowd of
26,611 was the Indians largest at home since 26,870 watched a game against
Minnesota on Aug. 24. "It was really welcome," manager Terry Francona said. "I
think players probably appreciate that. There was a little extra energy tonight.
This time of year that cant hurt anybody." Swisher and several teammates tossed
miniature baseballs into the stands following the game. The Indians passed Texas
with Fridays rain-shortened 2-1 win, moving into a wild-card spot for the first
time since before play on Aug. 5. Following Sundays series finale, Cleveland
hosts the Chicago White Sox for two games before closing the regular season with
four games at Minnesota. "As close as we are, we can almost taste it," Kazmir
said. "So you want to go out and give it everything youve got." Francona has a
simple philosophy when it comes to dealing with a playoff chase. "When we win,
were fine, when we lose, you hope," he said. "Its not do or die. Its do, or it
hurts." Houston, a major league-worst 51-104, is on a season-high eight-game
losing streak and has totalled just 12 runs during the skid. Houston is three
losses from matching the club record set last season. The Astros scored when
Chris Carter homered against Joe Smith with two outs in the ninth. Kazmir (9-9)
struck out 10 and walked two. He had been 1-5 with a 5.82 ERA in his previous
seven starts. He gave up Jonathan Villars single to start the game, then
included a double-play grounder from Jose Altuve and didnt allow another runner
until a single opening the fifth by Carter, who had three hits. Kazmir, who was
pitching for the Sugar Land Skeeters in an independent league last season, has
far exceeded the Indians expectations. "This is exciting," Francona said.
"Knowing Kaz, the bigger the game, hes not going to shy away from that." "You
definitely have to tip your hat to Kazmir tonight," Astros manager Bo Porter
said. "He had an explosive fastball and did a tremendous job with his breakaway
stuff." Cody Allen relieved following to L.J. Hoes leadoff double in the eighth.
Brantleys home run capped Clevelands three-run first inning. Jason Kipnis and
Lonnie Chisenhall also drove in runs for Cleveland. Paul Clemens (4-6) allowed
four runs in 4 2-3 innings in his fourth start of the season after making 30
appearances out of the bullpen. NOTES: Francona said RHP Justin Masterson
(strained left oblique) likely will throw a simulated game Sunday or Monday. Its
possible Masterson, who left his start against Baltimore on Sept. 2 in the
second inning, will be ready to pitch in relief before the regular season ends.
... Francona said he contacted Boston manager John Farrell after the Red Sox
clinched the AL East on Friday night. Farrell was Bostons pitching coach during
Franconas tenure as manager and the two are friends. ... Astros 3B Matt
Dominguez (left hand) returned to the lineup after sitting out one game. He was
struck on the left hand Thursday by a pitch from Indians RHP Chris Perez. "Matt
said its still a little sore, but hes a pretty tough guy," Porter said.
Dominguez was hitless in four at-bats. ... Astros LHP Erik Bedard (4-11) takes
on Indians RHP Corey Kluber (9-5) in the four-game series finale Sunday.
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.C. -- Rodney Hood connected from all over the court while freshman Jabari
Parker was busy swatting shots and scoring in transition.
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. -- Al Jefferson found a groove just in time for the Charlotte Bobcats.CHICAGO
-- Scott Feldman envisioned big things for Chris Davis. Now that theyre united
again, he gets to see it up close. Davis hit his major league-leading 32nd homer
and added a tiebreaking two-run double to lead the Baltimore Orioles to a 4-2
victory over the Chicago White Sox on Wednesday night. "I think the big thing
with him is just getting the opportunity," said Feldman, his teammate in Texas.
"Hes always been a really talented and strong guy. Hed go down to the minor
leagues and do the same thing every time. But then hed get back up, and it was
kind of inconsistent with the playing time. It was a different situation over
there, obviously." Feldman wasnt bad in his first appearance for Baltimore,
pitching six solid innings. And the Orioles hung on to win for the fifth time in
six games after the White Sox threatened against Jim Johnson in the ninth.
Chicago had the tying runs on after Conor Gillaspie and Jeff Keppinger singled
with one out, putting men on first and second. Johnson struck out Gordon Beckham
looking and retired pinch-hitter Jordan Danks on a bouncer to the mound for his
29th save in 34 attempts. Davis delivered the big hits for Baltimore. "I think
its more a feeling of comfort than anything else," he said. "I feel comfortable
in the box. I feel like Im seeing the ball well and getting good pitches to hit.
I feel comfortable hitting with no strikes, one strike or two strikes." Already
the club record holder for home runs before the All-Star break, he added to it
leading off the fourth against Hector Santiago when he drove the first pitch
just inside the foul pole to the left-field bullpen. That gave the Orioles a 2-1
lead, which Beckham wiped out when he led off the fifth with his first homer,
but Davis came through again with one out in the eighth. He greeted Matt
Thornton with two-run double on the first pitch he saw after Nick Markakis and
Adam Jones singled off Matt Lindstrom (2-3), giving the Orioles a 4-2 lead.
"Theyve got a guy thats hitting .330," Beckham said. "Driving in a million runs
and hitting a million home runs. Hes really good. Its tough to say anything
about our side, when hes doing what hes doing." Baltimore loaded the bases
against Ramon Troncoso in the ninth, but Manny Machado forced the runner at the
plate and Jones popped out to end the threat. Darren ODay (4-0) pitched a
scoreless seventh and Tommy Hunter worked the eighhth before Johnson dodged that
jam in the ninth.
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looked sharp for Baltimore after being acquired in a trade with the Cubs the
previous day. The right-hander allowed two runs and six hits and struck out six
without a walk despite staying up until about 4 a.m. after flying back from
Oakland -- mostly because of the excitement. He knew when he signed a one-year
deal with the rebuilding Cubs there was a good chance hed be dealt if he pitched
well, and thats exactly what happened. He landed on a contender thats now 11
games over .500, matching a season high. "Im going to miss those guys, but Im
looking forward to a fresh start here and trying to get into the playoffs and do
some things in the post-season," Feldman said. Santiago pitched well, giving up
two runs and five hits in seven innings. The left-hander tied a season-high with
nine strikeouts while walking two after getting hit hard in his previous start
against Cleveland. But on a night when the Stanley Cup made an appearance, with
the Blackhawks Patrick Sharp and Brandon Bollig throwing out first pitches, the
White Sox took their 24th loss in 33 games. There was more bad news for the
last-place White Sox, with slugger Paul Konerko (strained lower back) and
reliever Jesse Crain (strained right shoulder) going on the 15-day disabled
list. "I think if theres anything that could go wrong this year for the White
Sox, its gone wrong," said Crain, one of Chicagos top trade assets. NOTES: The
Orioles optioned IF Danny Valencia to Triple-A Norfolk to make room for Feldman.
... RHP Kevin Gausman will remain in bullpen for now, although manager Buck
Showalter indicated Baltimores top pitching prospect could wind up back in the
rotation at some point. "We have 70-something games left," he said. "We have to
do some things between now and the All-Star break. He and Zach (Britton), both
of them have options, we like them both on the club. I think these things kind
of solve themselves." ... With Konerko and Crain on the DL, the White Sox
recalled 3B Brent Morel from Triple-A Charlotte and purchased the contract of
LHP David Purcey from the minor league club. ... Rios picked up his 200th steal
when he swiped second in the first inning. ... The start of the game was delayed
seven minutes by rain. ... LHP Zach Britton (2-2, 4.50 ERA) starts Thursday for
Baltimore, with LHP Jose Quintana (3-2, 3.97) pitching for Chicago.
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