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‘Good-luck chicken’ helps Tribe top O’s
Photo
Cleveland Indians’ Yan Gomes hits an RBI-single off Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Zach Britton in the first inning of a game Wednesday in Cleveland.
Associated Press
CLEVELAND
The Cleveland Indians, boosted by a good-luck chicken and a pair of RBIs from both Yan Gomes and Ryan Raburn, beat the Baltimore Orioles, 6-4, Wednesday night.
Cleveland pitcher Justin Masterson carried a live chicken on to the field for batting practice. The bird, supplied by a clubhouse workers from an area farm, was a gift to reliever Cody Allen.
The chicken spent most of batting practice standing with Cleveland’s pitchers in front of the warning track in center field. Allen’s teammates gave him the nickname “Chicken Al” in spring training and the chicken has been named “Cody.”
The Indians moved a half-game past Baltimore in the chase for a playoff spot. Cleveland began the night 31/2 games behind Tampa Bay for the second wild card.
Relievers Bryan Shaw (3-3), Allen, Joe Smith and Chris Perez, who recorded his 22nd save, combined to allow one hit in 41/3 innings.
Gomes broke a 4-all tie with an RBI single in the fifth when the Indians scored twice to go ahead for good. A wild pitch by Kevin Gausman (2-4) with the bases loaded scored the second run.
Cleveland scored four times in the first, but starter Zach McAllister couldn’t hold the lead.
Adam Jones hit a solo homer in the fourth. Manny Machado’s three-run homer tied it in the fifth.
Raburn’s two-run double, along with RBI singles by Gomes and Mike Aviles, got the Indians off to a quick start.