Bieber closes series on high note

Indians’ righty takes league lead with third complete game

Associated Press

CLEVELAND

Shane Bieber knows he will never be as famous as the singer with his surname. He doesn’t even mind that his latest Topps baseball card refers to him as Justin.

Bieber was content becoming the first pitcher this season to throw three complete games, leading the Cleveland Indians over the Los Angeles Angels 6-2 on Sunday with a five-hitter that finished a three-game sweep.

“I don’t want to get too far ahead of myself because there is obviously a lot of work to be done, but I’ve strung a couple of good outings together,” the 24-year-old right-hander said. “It’s a lot of fun to be out there playing and giving these guys a chance to win. I know we’re going to put up runs and we’re going to have some fun doing it.”

Bieber (11-4) struck out eight and walked none, reaching 300 career strikeouts in his 44th big league appearance. The All-Star Game MVP threw 76 of 107 pitches for strikes and is 9-2 with 128 strikeouts in his last 15 starts.

Cleveland is 37-15 since June 4 — the best record in the majors in that span — and Bieber has taken over as ace from the injured Corey Kluber and the since-traded Trevor Bauer.

“You can go back six or seven years and see everything I said about Kluber, then put Bieber’s name in there and it would be true,” Indians manager Terry Francona said. “You know how we feel about Kluber and his work ethic, so to put Justin in there with him, I meant it as a huge compliment.”

Jason Kipnis homered and drove in three runs, Francisco Lindor had two RBIs and a homer, and rookie Oscar Mercado added a third solo shot for Cleveland, which is three games behind AL Central-leading Minnesota.

Cleveland outscored Los Angeles 19-7 in the sweep, sending the Angels to their 15th loss in their last 16 contests at Progressive Field.

“We did have some long innings, so I had to go down in the tunnel and throw a little to keep loose, but that’s always a good problem to have,” said Bieber, who posted a photo of his misidentified Topps Stadium Club card on social media.

Kole Calhoun homered and Albert Pujols had an RBI single for Los Angeles, which lost its fourth straight and fell below .500 for the first time since July 7. Mike Trout doubled to become the sixth player with 275 home runs and 250 doubles before age 28.

Angels starter Jaime Barria (4-5) gave up three runs in 32/3 innings, all on homers to center field. The righty delayed play for five minutes in the second while having his sore right big toe taped.

Indians designated hitter Franmil Reyes struck out in all four plate appearances, breaking the bat over his right leg following his third whiff.