Salazar, Swisher help Tribe strengthen wildcard lead
The Indians’ Nick Swisher glides past first base after hitting a two-run homer off White Sox starting pitcher Dylan Axelrod in the fifth inning of Wednesday’s game, in Cleveland. The Indians downed the White Sox, 7-2.
Associated Press
CLEVELAND
Rookie Danny Salazar gave Cleveland a much-needed quality start and Nick Swisher hit a two-run homer as the Indians tightened their grip on one of the AL wild-card spots with their 14th straight win over the Chicago White Sox, 7-2 on Wednesday night in their home finale.
Salazar (2-3) struck out eight in 51/3 innings for the Indians, who won their final six home games to stay with the wild-card leaders. They entered the night with a one-game lead over Texas in the wild-card chase. Cleveland is also one game behind Tampa Bay for the top spot with just four games left.
Swisher homered in the fifth inning off Dylan Axlerod (4-11) as the Indians finished the season 16-2 against Chicago.
Cleveland hasn’t made the playoffs since 2007, but the Indians are closing in on a berth under first-year manager Terry Francona, who guided Boston to two World Series titles.
A spray-painted bedsheet in the upper deck of Progressive Field said: “Playoff Bound.” The Indians, who already have 20 more wins than last season, have some work to do before that can happen.
They haven’t won it all since 1948, but if they can win their next four games in Minnesota, the Indians will give themselves a chance to end the drought.
Asivail Garcia homered for the White Sox, 6-19 since Aug. 30.
Swisher’s two-run shot in the fifth gave the Indians a 4-1 lead and allowed 30,942 fans to breathe a little easier following the emotional rollercoaster of Tuesday night, when Jason Giambi’s pinch-hit, two-run homer in the ninth saved closer Chris Perez, who gave up two homers in the top of the inning.
With the Indians leading 2-1 in the fifth, Brantley, who has been using one of Carlos Santana’s bats, doubled with one out and Swisher followed with a shot into the Indians’ bullpen in center. After rounding the bases, Swisher saluted the crowd by raising his hands and forming an “O” and “H”.
The Indians packed for a four-game series against the Twins not knowing if they’ll play again this season after Sunday. They could be coming back to Cleveland for the winter, playing a one-game playoff just to get to into the wild-card game or maybe headed to either Tampa Bay or Texas for one game with the winner advancing to the division series.
There are far too many unknowns, which is why manager Terry Francona would not discuss any possible postseason plans.
“We’re not there yet,” he said before the game.
Indians ace Justin Masterson, sidelined since Sept. 2 with an oblique injury, pitched the ninth. It’s possible the All-Star right-hander could start again this season if the Indians get in the playoffs.
One night after Giambi’s breathtaking homer, the Indians had to scrap again to get past a team with 96 losses.
Leading 4-1 in the sixth, Salazar gave up a pair of singles and was replaced by Bryan Shaw. Dayan Viciedo followed with an RBI single, and after the Indians botched a rundown, Shaw was in a jam. But the right-hander struck out Jordan Danks and Marcus Semien.
The Indians got the run back in the sixth on Drew Stubbs’ sacrifice fly and went up 7-2 in the seventh on Asdrubal Cabrera’s two-run single.