The Sports Xchange
May 31, 2017
CLEVELAND -- Chad Pinder had three hits, including two home runs, and Sean Manaea struck out nine in seven innings and combined with two relievers on a three-hitter as the Oakland A's halted their four-game losing streak with a 3-1 win over the Cleveland Indians Wednesday at Progressive Field.
The Indians' three-game winning streak was snapped.
Pinder hit a solo home run in the third inning and a two-run homer in the fifth to account for all of Oakland's runs
Manaea (4-3) allowed one run on three hits, with nine strikeouts and one walk. In the first six games of their seven-game trip to New York and Cleveland, the A's are 2-4, and Manaea has both the wins. In his two victories over the Yankees and Indians Manaea pitched 14 innings, allowing one run on seven hits, with 17 strikeouts and two walks.
Santiago Casilla pitched the ninth inning to earn his eighth save.
Cleveland starter Mike Clevinger (2-2) pitched 6 2/3 innings, giving up three runs on five hits with seven strikeouts and two walks.
The Indians' only run came on a home run by Francisco Lindor.
After giving up a double to Matt Joyce leading off the game Clevinger retired seven men in a row before No. 9 hitter Pinder hit his first home run over the left field wall in the third inning to give Oakland a 1-0 lead.
Manaea retired the first 10 batters he faced in the game before Lindor homered into the left field bleachers with one out in the fourth inning, tying it at 1-1.
But it didn't stay tied very long. Clevinger walked Trevor Plouffe leading off the fifth inning, and then Pinder hit a 2-2 pitch over the wall in left-center field for his second home run, giving Oakland a 3-1 lead.
Through five innings, Manaea held Cleveland to one run on one hit. He allowed just two base runners, Lindor's home run and a walk to Jose Ramirez in the fifth inning.
NOTES: Indians RHP Corey Kluber (lower back strain) will be activated off the disabled list and will start Thursday against Oakland. It will be Kluber's first start since May 2. ... Indians C Yan Gomes has thrown out a major-league-best 50 percent of attempted base stealers (11 of 22). ... Oakland OF Matt Joyce hit leadoff Wednesday, one of six different players who have hit leadoff this season. A's leadoff hitters are hitting a combined .159 (34-214). ... RHP Jharel Cotton will start Thursday afternoon for the A's. It will be Cotton's first career appearance vs. Cleveland. In four career starts in day games Cotton is 3-1 with a 2.55 ERA and a .159 opponents' batting average.