Indians are shut out for first time

Associated Press

ST. LOUIS

Carlos Beltran would prefer to hit in one spot every day. No matter where he lands on the lineup card, there’s no arguing the results.

Primarily the St. Louis Cardinals’ cleanup man, Beltran provided some pop batting second in a 2-0 victory over the Cleveland Indians on Saturday night. Beltran hit his National League-leading 17th home run in support of Kyle Lohse, who allowed three hits in 7 2/3 innings to outduel Justin Masterson.

“I felt in control, I felt like I was getting pretty quick outs,” Lohse said. “If I’m doing those things, keeping the ball on the ground, that’s my plan.”

Beltran has batted cleanup 31 times, third three times and second 18 times. Manager Mike Matheny resisted the temptation to shift Beltran back to cleanup after Matt Holliday was scratched just before the first pitch with mid-back spasms.

Beltran, who has homered nine times batting second, also leads the Cardinals with 45 RBIs.

“For me, honestly this year has been more difficult than any year,” Beltran said. “As a player I like to come to the ballpark and just know I’m going to hit in one spot and just be there.”

Michael Brantley had two singles to extend his hitting streak to 17 games for Cleveland. But the Indians had only three runners in scoring position against Lohse (6-1), who ended a string of five starts with no decisions and a 5.16 ERA, and two relievers.

Beltran homered with two outs in the third and had three of the seven hits for St. Louis, which has won three of four. Shane Robinson doubled to start the eighth and scored on Rafael Furcal’s one-out sacrifice fly against Jeremy Accardo.

The game took just 2 hours, 14 minutes, the fastest of the season for both teams.