TAKE THAT: New York Yankees closer Mariano Rivera pitches to the Toronto Blue Jays during the eleventh inning of their MLB game in Toronto on Saturday. (Reuters)
Agencies/Houston
The Cleveland Indians broke out of their offensive slump in a big way on Saturday night. Jason Giambi, Mark Reynolds and Carlos Santana homered, leading the Indians to a 19-6 victory over the Houston Astros.
Giambi had five RBIs and Reynolds drove in four runs, but Scott Kazmir was unable to get the win in his first major league appearance since he recorded five outs in a start for the Los Angeles Angels at Kansas City on April 3, 2011. The left-hander allowed six runs and seven hits in 3 1-3 innings.
Cleveland roughed up Philip Humber (0-4) and finished with 22 hits while stopping a five-game slide. It was the highest-scoring game for the Indians since a 19-1 victory at Kansas City on May 16, 2011, and their most hits since they had 25 in a 22-4 win at the New York Yankees on April 18, 2009.
Humber recorded just one out on the eve of the anniversary of his perfect game. He was charged with eight runs and eight hits.
“It’s tough to make any adjustments,” he said. “It seemed like they were jumping on the first thing I threw over the plate every time and hitting the ball hard.”
The Indians managed just 11 runs and 33 hits during their losing streak. The 42-year-old Giambi was 1 for 12 for a .083 batting average coming into the game. His big day raised his average to .188. Corey Kluber (1-0) pitched four innings of two-hit ball to get the win. Brandon Barnes hit a two-run homer and Brandon Laird had a solo shot, but it wasn’t nearly enough for Houston.
The Indians had nine consecutive batters reach with one out in the first. Giambi belted a two-run double and Reynolds hit a three-run shot. “I think it helps guys feel better about themselves,” manager Terry Francona said. “I thought they did a good job of that going into the game, but I do think it helps guys loosen up a little bit.”
Indians shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera left in the middle of the first inning with a bruised left wrist. Francona said he was injured about five minutes before the game when he slipped down the stairs in the dugout and broke his fall with his left hand. X-rays were negative, and Francona said he was already feeling better after the game.
Cleveland added six more runs in the second, taking advantage of two errors by Houston. Dallas Keuchel also walked Michael Brantley to force home a run. Nick Swisher tied a career high with four hits, including a career-best three of Cleveland’s seven doubles, and Brantley added three RBIs.
