Swisher’s grand slam in 10th gives Indians 5-3 win over Angels
6/19/2014CLEVELAND — Nick Swisher's two-out grand slam off Ernesto Frieri in the 10th inning gave the Cleveland Indians a 5-3 win over the Los Angeles Angels on Thursday.
Swisher had gone 0 for 4 with three strikeouts before he belted a 1-2 pitch into the right-field seats to cap an improbable comeback after Albert Pujols' two-run single put the Angels ahead in the top of the inning.
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Swisher threw his arms in the air when the ball cleared the wall and was mobbed by his teammates when he reached home plate.
Pujols' single with two outs gave the Angels a 3-1 lead, but the Indians responded off rookie Cam Bedrosian (0-1). Michael Bourn drew a leadoff walk and took third on Jason Kipnis' one-out double. Carlos Santana walked to load the bases and Frieri replaced Bedrosian. David Murphy flied out before Swisher rallied the Indians.
Kyle Crockett (1-0) retired the final hitter in the 10th for his first major league win.
Justin Masterson and C.J. Wilson both allowed one run in seven innings as neither pitcher was affected by Wednesday night's rainout, which pushed their scheduled start back a day.
Masterson's wild pitch put Los Angeles ahead in the second, but Bourn tied it with an RBI groundout in the third.
Masterson held the Angels to four hits, walked three and hit a batter. Wilson allowed three hits, walked four and struck out six.
Howie Kendrick doubled with one out in the second and took third on a groundout. With David Freese batting, Masterson's low and outside pitch skipped past catcher Yan Gomes, allowing Kendrick to score.
Gomes led off the third with a single for Cleveland's first hit. He moved to third on a walk and a fielder's choice, and scored on Bourn's ground ball to the right side.
Masterson was helped by his defense. Gomes threw out Erik Aybar trying to steal second in the second. Right fielder Ryan Raburn made a running catch of Kendrick's line drive and doubled Hamilton off second in the fourth, and Hank Conger bounced into a double play in the fifth.
Indians manager Terry Francona said left fielder Michael Brantley (concussion) could take batting practice Friday with the plan of playing Saturday. Brantley sustained the concussion while trying to break up a double play Monday.
NOTES: The teams will make up Wednesday's rainout on a mutual day off at Progressive Field, with July 28 being the most likely possibility. The Angels begin a series in Baltimore the following day while the Indians start a homestand the next day. ... Angels LHP Tyler Skaggs (strained right hamstring) threw a bullpen session Thursday. ... The Angels return home for six games, beginning Friday against Texas. RHP Garrett Richards (6-2) will pitch the opener. ... The Indians host Detroit on Friday in the opener of a three-game series. RHP Corey Kluber (6-4) is the scheduled starter.