Butler did it: A’s break tie, top Tribe

Moss’ throwing error in eighth proves costly

Associated Press

CLEVELAND

One bad inning brought an end to the Cleveland Indians’ longest home winning streak of the season.

Oakland scored three runs with two outs in the eighth, including a two-run double by Billy Butler with the bases loaded, to go ahead for good in a 5-4 victory Saturday night.

The Indians had won four straight games at Progressive Field, but wasted a strong start by Carlos Carrasco and the energy from their second-largest crowd of the season — 28,733.

“Those guys played good and our guys played good, too,” said Carrasco, who allowed two runs in seven innings. “Everybody on our team tried their hardest. That’s baseball. Sometimes we score runs, sometimes we don’t. It’s part of the game.”

Cleveland reliever Zach McAllister (2-3) entered to start the eighth with the game tied 2-2. He retired the first two batters before being chased by Stephen Vogt’s single.

Marc Rzepczynski promptly surrendered a single to Ben Zobrist and walked Josh Reddick, loading the bases for Butler. He greeted Bryan Shaw with a laser inside the first-base line to score two runs.

As Butler reached second base, he was struck by the throw from right fielder Brandon Moss, allowing Reddick to head home and give Oakland a 5-2 lead.

“Shaw made a real good pitch on a breaking ball to Butler, but you can’t have a fielder everywhere,” Indians manager Terry Francona said. “It’s what led up to that at-bat that really hurt. We tried to set it up for [Rzepczynski], but it didn’t work.”

First baseman Carlos Santana, catcher Roberto Perez and rookie third baseman Giovanny Urshela had two hits each for Cleveland, which fell three games below .500 (42-45).

Santana hit a two-run, two-out homer in the eighth off Athletics reliever Edward Mujica, making him 9 for 20 (.450) with four RBIs on the homestand.

“Right now, I’m feeling comfortable and I’m not swinging at bad pitches,” said Santana, whose season average is .223. “I’m keeping my head up, no matter what happens. I know me. Tito [Francona], he knows. I can help my team.”

Left-hander Eric O’Flaherty (1-2) gave up an RBI single to Perez in the seventh, but picked up the win. Oakland closer Tyler Clippard retired all four batters he faced for his 17th save.

Carrasco, who leads the Indians with 10 victories, allowed six hits while striking out seven. He is 0-1 with a 5.73 ERA in two starts since falling one out shy of throwing a no-hitter at Tampa Bay on July 1.