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Indians Beat Red Sox 8-2

CLEVELAND -- Carlos Santana had two hits and three RBIs and Josh Tomlin pitched into the seventh inning as the Cleveland Indians beat the Boston Red Sox 8-2 Friday night at Progressive Field.

Santana's three-run double was the big blow in a four-run Cleveland third inning, and Tomlin had only one hiccup in the 6 1/3 innings he pitched. That was a two-run home run by designated hitter David Ortiz in the fourth inning. Ortiz is 2-for-14 in his career vs. Tomlin and both the hits are home runs.

Tomlin (7-2) spent the first four months of the season on the disabled list recovering from shoulder surgery in March. Since his return, he has been outstanding. In his last nine starts, he was 7-1 with a 3.03 ERA.

Friday night against Boston, Tomlin threw 99 pitches in 6 1/3 innings, holding the Red Sox to two runs on five hits with five strikeouts and two walks.

Rookie left-hander Henry Owens (4-4) started for Boston, and was roughed up by the Indians for seven runs on 10 hits and four walks in 4 1/3 innings.

Leading 7-2, the Indians added their last run in the seventh inning on a solo home run by right fielder Jerry Sands off right-hander Jonathan Aro to make it 8-2.

The Indians had contributions from everyone in their lineup as every Cleveland starter had at least one hit, with the exception of their leading hitter, rookie shortstop Francisco Lindor. However, Lindor did draw two walks.

Cleveland took a 4-0 lead in the third inning against rookie left-hander Henry Owens. Left fielder Mike Aviles opened the inning by reaching first on an infield single. Second baseman Jose Ramirez walked. Owens struck out Lindor, but designated hitter Ryan Raburn singled, loading the bases with one out.

First baseman Carlos Santana then belted a long drive to center field that bounced off the wall for a three-run double. After catcher Yan Gomes flied out, third baseman Chris Johnson sliced a single to right field, scoring Santana and giving the Indians a 4-0 lead.

Tomlin held Boston scoreless on one hit through the first three innings, facing the minimum nine batters, thanks to an inning-ending double play in the third inning.

Tomlin retired the first two batters in the fourth inning, but shortstop Xander Bogaerts singled. Ortiz then hammered a 1-1 pitch from Tomlin into the seats in right field for his 37th home run, cutting the Cleveland lead to 4-2. It was career homer No. 503 for Ortiz, one shy of tying him with Eddie Murray for 26th on the all-time list.

The two RBIs hoist the 39-year-old Ortiz's season total to 107.

The Indians got a run back in the bottom of the fifth. With one out Santana walked and scored on a double to center by Gomes, to make it 5-2. Johnson singled, moving Gomes to third.

Right fielder Jerry Sands followed with a double into the right field corner, scoring Gomes, moving Johnson to third and giving Cleveland a 6-2 lead.

A bloop single to shallow left field by center fielder Abraham Almonte drove in Johnson to extend the lead to 7-2.

Owens was removed from the game after Almonte's hit. In 4 1/3 innings Owens threw 107 pitches and gave up seven runs on 10 hits with four strikeouts and four walks.

NOTES: The Indians' game with the Tigers on Monday at Progressive Field will not be played. That was supposed to be a makeup of the game Sept. 12 that was postponed due to rain. Monday's game was only going to be played if it had postseason implications. Since it doesn't, the game will not be played. ... For the first time since 2005, the Indians will finish with a better winning percentage on the road than at home. They were 42-39 (.519) on the road, and with three home games remaining they were 36-41 (.468) at home. ... Red Sox SS Xander Bogaerts is tied with Houston's Jose Altuve for the American League lead in hits with 194. Bogaerts is bidding to become the third Red Sox player in the last 18 years to lead the league in hits. The other two are Adrian Gonzalez (2011) and Dustin Pedroia (2008).

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