Hafner delivers key hit for Tribe

Associated Press

CLEVELAND

Travis Hafner provided a big boost to the Cleveland Indians’ offense in his return.

Hafner doubled home a run and helped get Cleveland’s sluggish offense in gear for a 5-1 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday night.

“It proves that even a rehabbing Hafner can help our lineup,” Indians manager Manny Acta said after the designated hitter was activated from the disabled list and delivered his key hit in a three-run eighth inning.

Cleveland went 10-18 while Hafner was sidelined with a strained right oblique muscle. Since May 23, the Indians were only 6-16, shut out six times and winning twice by 1-0. Cleveland moved into a virtual tie for first in the AL Central after Detroit lost to Colorado.

“I just tried to be a presence in the middle of the order,” Hafner said. “It was a fun night.”

Acta argued for a three-run homer and the umpires used TV replay, which showed the ball hitting the yellow line atop the right-field wall. It must go over the line to be a homer.

Carlos Santana had three hits, including a home run for Cleveland, which opened a six-game interleague homestand. He broke a 2 for 26 slump by hitting his eighth homer, a solo shot off Kevin Correia (8-6) that made it 2-0 in the fourth. He also had a bases-loaded RBI single in the eighth.

Josh Tomlin (8-4) bounced back from three consecutive rocky starts. He gave up six hits but no walks over 62/3 innings, striking out five.

“I located pitches better tonight,” Tomlin said.

Acta agreed.

“He threw 20 of 25 first-pitch strikes,” he said. “That’s how he gets people out.”

Pirates manager Clint Hurdle also was impressed after Pittsburgh had a four-game winning streak snapped and failed to move three games over .500 for the first time since being 40-37 on July 1, 1999.

“He was very, very efficient,” Hurdle said. “He had a real sharp breaking ball to right-handed hitters.”

Vinnie Pestano struck out Michael McKenry with two on to end the seventh, then worked a perfect eighth. Tony Sipp pitched the ninth, allowing a walk before getting Garrett Jones to bounce into a game-ending double play.

Cleveland first baseman Matt LaPorta was hurt in the third inning.

“He has a right ankle sprain, but X-rays were negative,” Acta said. “That means no fracture. He’ll have an MRI exam [today] and we’ll see then [about possible ligament damage].”

Cleveland scored an unearned run in an odd third inning despite LaPorta’s baserunning gaffe. He was hurt when caught in a rundown between second and third base and helped off the field by third-base coach Steve Smith and assistant trainer Rick Jameyson.

LaPorta reached when Pirates shortstop Ronny Cedeno leaped to catch his line drive, but the ball bounced off his glove to second baseman Neil Walker, whose low throw skipped past first baseman Lyle Overbay for an error.

Orlando Cabrera followed with an easy grounder to Cedeno and LaPorta tried to go to third.

Jack Hannahan singled and Grady Sizemore walked to load the bases. After Michael Brantley lined out and with Asdrubal Cabrera at bat, Correia was called for a balk, scoring Orlando Cabrera.

“Obviously it’s a dumb thing to do,” Correia said.