Indians Batter A's In 15-3 Romp
OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Francisco Lindor homered and hit two of Cleveland's 11 doubles Sunday as the Indians ended the Oakland Athletics' six-game winning streak with a 15-3 romp.
Edwin Encarnacion also homered and Jose Ramirez, Yonder Alonso and Lonnie Chisenhall each added two doubles. The Indians nearly matched the team record of 12 doubles set against Minnesota in 1996.
Alonso had four hits and three RBIs. Cleveland broke open the game with an eight-run eighth inning — its first 10 batters reached without an out.
Mike Clevinger (7-3) allowed three runs over six uneven innings as the AL Central leaders avoided a sweep.
Cleveland led 5-3 before its big eighth, getting five singles, two doubles, two walks and a hit batter before the A's recorded an out. When Yan Gomes hit a comebacker to pitcher Josh Lucas for the first out, the Coliseum crowd of 16,164 erupted in mock cheers.
Khris Davis had two hits for the A's. Oakland had won 12 of 14 going into the day, but left the bases loaded in the first and struggled to get much going after that.
The Indians were outscored 10-3 in the first two games of the series and were on the verge of being swept for the second time this season before breaking out against A's starter Frankie Montas (4-2) and four relievers.
Lindor struck out in his first at-bat, doubled in his next two and hit his 21st home run in the seventh. The Indians leadoff hitter later drew a bases-loaded walk in the eighth.
Encarnacion also homered in the seventh, his 20th this season.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Indians: RHP Carlos Carrasco (right elbow contusion) threw 58 pitches over four innings of a rehab start with Double-A Akron.
Athletics: 3B Matt Chapman (right thumb contusion) took batting practice before the game and will begin a rehab stint with Single-A Stockton on Monday.
UP NEXT
Indians: RHP Corey Kluber (11-4, 2.54 ERA) pitches against the Royals in Kansas City on Monday, coming off the shortest start of his career.
Athletics: RHP Chris Bassitt (1-3, 2.82) faces the San Diego Padres on Monday in his second start since getting called up from the minors for the fifth time this season.