Bauer, Kipkis spark Indians

Published 8:46 am Sunday, August 30, 2015

CLEVELAND (AP) — 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).

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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-center on Gott’s first pitch. Kipnis followed with a single to center, 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.