Jays’ Bautista slams Tribe

Associated Press

TORONTO

Jose Bautista doesn’t want to get traded by Toronto. The way he’s hitting right now, his Blue Jays teammates are just as eager to keep him around.

Bautista hit a grand slam, his major league-leading 31st home run, Fred Lewis added a solo shot and the Blue Jays beat the Cleveland Indians 8-1 on Friday night, their sixth win in seven games.

First baseman Lyle Overbay expects the Blue Jays will hold on to Bautista beyond today’s 4 p.m. non-waiver trade deadline.

“Honestly, I think he’s going to be around,” Overbay said. “He’s too valuable right now.”

Bautista went 3 for 3 and walked twice before being lifted for a pinch-runner in the eighth inning.

The Blue Jays have homered in 11 consecutive games, hitting 27 over that span, and lead the major leagues with 157, including league highs at home (87) and in July (42).

“They beat us with what they’re good at,” Cleveland starter Justin Masterson said.

Bautista leads the majors with 11 home runs this month. Nineteen of his homers this season have come at Rogers Centre.

Indians manager Manny Acta said Jays starter Shaun Marcum (10-4) “manhandled” his team.

“The night belonged to Marcum,” Acta said. “He was fantastic.”

Marcum was perfect through the first four innings but Indians catcher Carlos Santana led off the fourth with a single off Overbay’s glove. Austin Kearns followed with a double past Edwin Encarnacion at third before Matt LaPorta ended Marcum’s shutout bid with a sacrifice fly.

Kearns was lifted for pinch-runner Chris Gimenez after singling in the seventh and was told after the game he had been traded to the New York Yankees for a player to be named or cash.

“This guy has paid his dues and he deserves to go to a contender at this time of year and maybe win a ring,” Acta said of Kearns.

Kearns said he was excited by the prospect of playing in a pennant race at Yankee Stadium.

“Whether you’re on the home or visiting team, it’s fun,” he said. “You’ve got a packed house and you know you’re playing on a winner. You can’t ask for anything more.”