The Cleveland Indians may have to match up with the Boston Red Sox in the postseason if they want to return to the World Series this season. Although, they may have showed on Monday that a matchup with the best team in baseball may not be an issue for them. The Indians got the go-ahead home run from Greg Allen to beat the top team in baseball at Fenway Park, 5-4. Allen's go-ahead blast came right after Boston starter Rick Porcello was drilled with a line drive, as the right-hander stayed in the game on the mound.
When the former Cy Young Award winner was hit with the line drive, he still finished the play by getting a force out at second base. Unfortunately, he would still suffer his sixth loss of the season, as the Red Sox dropped consecutive games at home for the first time since June. He was checked out after the play, but the training staff felt he was good to go, as did the pitcher himself.
Meanwhile, Corey Kluber pitched in to the seventh inning and tied Max Scherzer of the Washington Nationals and Luis Severino of the New York Yankees for the league lead in wins with 16 of them. Michael Brantley and Melky Cabrera both went deep on the night, as the Indians improved to 14-4 in the month of August.
Cody Allen came on for the save attempt for the Indians, but allowed two runners to reach and make things interesting. Ian Kinsler flew out to end the Red Sox's threat, handing them just their fifth loss in the past 22 games. Both of these teams came in to play leading their division by wide margins, as Allen recorded his 25th save in what could very well be a playoff preview.
Kluber lasted 6.1 innings and gave up three runs on nine hits, while striking out six to improve to 16-6 on the year. Xander Bogaerts' two-run single in the first inning got the scoring started, but Boston could not hang on to that lead the entire night. These two teams will continue their series on Tuesday night.
When the former Cy Young Award winner was hit with the line drive, he still finished the play by getting a force out at second base. Unfortunately, he would still suffer his sixth loss of the season, as the Red Sox dropped consecutive games at home for the first time since June. He was checked out after the play, but the training staff felt he was good to go, as did the pitcher himself.
Meanwhile, Corey Kluber pitched in to the seventh inning and tied Max Scherzer of the Washington Nationals and Luis Severino of the New York Yankees for the league lead in wins with 16 of them. Michael Brantley and Melky Cabrera both went deep on the night, as the Indians improved to 14-4 in the month of August.
Cody Allen came on for the save attempt for the Indians, but allowed two runners to reach and make things interesting. Ian Kinsler flew out to end the Red Sox's threat, handing them just their fifth loss in the past 22 games. Both of these teams came in to play leading their division by wide margins, as Allen recorded his 25th save in what could very well be a playoff preview.
Kluber lasted 6.1 innings and gave up three runs on nine hits, while striking out six to improve to 16-6 on the year. Xander Bogaerts' two-run single in the first inning got the scoring started, but Boston could not hang on to that lead the entire night. These two teams will continue their series on Tuesday night.