Indians beat Mariners 2-1 on Tyler Naquin's pinch-hit, walk-off single
CLEVELAND (AP) — Pinch-hitter Tyler Naquin's two-out single in the ninth inning drove in the winning run and the Cleveland Indians defeated the Seattle Mariners 2-1 on Friday night.
Naquin, batting for Jordan Luplow, grounded the first pitch from Anthony Swarzak (2-1) through the right side to score Leonys Martin from second base. Naquin was mobbed his teammates down the right field line after Cleveland's second walkoff win of the season.
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The hit also provided some good news for the Indians, who placed pitcher Corey Kluber on the 10-day injured list before the game. Kluber broke his right arm after being hit by a line drive Wednesday and is out indefinitely. The Indians said Kluber does not need surgery for now and will be re-examined in three to four weeks.
Swarzak (2-1) walked Francisco Lindor on four pitches to start the ninth, snapping a streak of 13 straight retired by Seattle pitchers. Martin fouled off a bunt attempt on the first pitch before hitting a groundball that forced Lindor. Jose Ramirez struck out, but Santana drew another four-pitch walk before Naquin, using one of catcher Kevin Plawecki's bats, came through.
Brad Hand (1-1) struck out two in the ninth to earn the win.
Rookie left-hander Yusei Kikuchi allowed one run and struck out a career-high 10 in seven innings for the Brewers, who have lost five straight. Kikuchi retired the last 10 hitters he faced, striking out six of the final seven.
The Mariners are 5-14 since starting the season with a 13-2 record.
Indians starter Shane Bieber allowed one run — a one-out homer by Jay Bruce in the fourth — and struck out eight in a career-high 7 2/3 innings.
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Bruce's 10th home run of the season came on a 1-1 pitch in the fourth, but the lead was brief. Martin broke an 0-for-21 slump with a leadoff double for Cleveland's first hit. Ramirez singled and Martin scored on Santana's double play grounder.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Mariners: 3B Ryon Healy (groin tightness) was removed in the fifth inning and replaced by Dylan Moore. Healy struck out and grounded out before leaving the game.
Indians: Kluber's injury has caused the rotation to be shuffled. RHP Cody Anderson will pitch Sunday and RHP Jefry Rodriguez will start Tuesday against the Chicago White Sox. Both will be called up from Triple-A Columbus. RHP Trevor Bauer will start Monday instead of Sunday.
UP NEXT
Mariners: RHP Mike Leake (2-3, 4.98 ERA) was rocked for nine runs, including five earned, over five innings in a 15-1 loss to Texas on April 27.
Indians: RHP Carlos Carrasco (2-3, 5.86 ERA) has only allowed two earned runs in his first two home starts in 2019, going 1-0 with a 2.00 ERA.
