Murphy delivers in 10th for Tribe

Associated Press

CLEVELAND

David Murphy’s return helped give the Cleveland Indians a much-needed win.

Murphy, activated from the disabled list before the game, drove in the winning run with a bases-loaded, pinch-hit single in the 10th inning and the Indians defeated the Chicago White Sox, 2-1, on Friday night.

Murphy, who pulled a right oblique muscle on Aug. 9, lined a 1-2 pitch to center off Ronald Belisario that landed in front of center fielder Adam Eaton to score pinch-runner Chris Dickerson and give the Indians their 11th walkoff win of the season.

Murphy had no opportunity to ease his way back into action after missing nearly a month. His first at-bat came with the game on the line and his team battling to stay in the playoff race.

“You never figure that you’d be in that situation, but those are the most fun in baseball,” he said.

The Indians, coming off a series in which they lost three of four against Detroit, are six games behind Kansas City in the AL Central. Cleveland is also a factor in the crowded wild-card race.

“Every game is the most important game of the year,” Murphy said. “It would be nice to be in a little better spot, but we’re still in striking distance. We need to go out and win every single day.”

Murphy was mobbed his teammates, but made sure to protect his rib area.

“After I hit first, I thought, ‘oh no,’ but I think they knew to take it easy on me,” he said.

Yan Gomes started the inning with a triple to left off Maikel Cleto (0-1). Michael Taylor crashed into the wall trying to make the catch and the ball rolled several feet away.

Shortstop Leury Garcia finally retrieved the ball and threw it in as Gomes slid into third.

“The desire to want to be at third is what was big,” Indians manager Terry Francona said. “He’s not the fastest guy in the world, but right out of the box he was going for it.”

Michael Bourn was intentionally walked before Eric Surkamp issued an intentional walk to Lonnie Chisenhall that loaded the bases. Surkamp battled back from a 3-1 count to strike out Jason Kipnis before Murphy, batting for Roberto Perez, delivered.

C.C. Lee (1-1) worked out of a bases-loaded, one-out jam in the 10th.