Cleveland @ Los Angeles preview
Angel Stadium of Anaheim
Last Meeting ( Aug 19, 2013 ) Cleveland 5, LA Angels 2
The Cleveland Indians attempt to stay within reach of a playoff berth as they visit the Los Angeles Angels for the second contest of their three-game set on Tuesday. Cleveland cruised to a 5-2 triumph in the series opener, staying within 6 1/2 games of the American League Central-leading Detroit Tigers and 4 1/2 of the Oakland Athletics for the second wild-card spot. Lonnie Chisenhall and Nick Swisher homered while Zach McAllister tossed 6 1/3 strong innings.
Cleveland improved to 4-3 on its nine-game road trip with the victory. After wrapping up against the Angels, the Indians return home for three contests against the Minnesota Twins before embarking on a crucial six-game trek that takes them to Atlanta and Detroit. Los Angeles lost for the seventh time in nine contests as it played without star Mike Trout, who is nursing a right hamstring injury.
TV: 10:05 p.m. ET, STO (Cleveland), FSN West (Los Angeles)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Indians RH Danny Salazar (1-1, 4.08 ERA) vs. Angels LH C.J. Wilson (13-6, 3.40)
Salazar is making his fourth career start and second straight on the road. The 23-year-old Dominican suffered his first major-league loss in his last outing, allowing three runs in four innings at Minnesota on August 12. Salazar has surrendered seven runs over 11 2/3 frames in his last two starts after yielding one run over six innings in a win over Toronto in his July 11 debut.
Wilson enters with a five-game win streak after holding the Yankees to one run on 11 hits in 6 2/3 innings at New York on Thursday. The 32-year-old has gone 9-1 over his last 12 starts, yielding fewer than four earned runs 10 times in that span. Wilson allowed two runs over 5 1/3 frames in a victory at Cleveland on August 10.
WALK-OFFS
1. Angels 1B Mark Trumbo has homered in each of his last three games, collecting eight RBIs in that span.
2. Cleveland LF Michael Brantley extended his errorless streak to 213 games, the longest stretch by an outfielder in franchise history. Brantley had been tied for the mark with Rocky Colavito.
3. The Indians have a major league-leading 12 players with at least seven home runs this season.
PREDICTION: Angels 6, Indians 3