CLEVELAND – José Ramírez produced a pair of runs – aided by Baltimore’s poor defense – and the Cleveland Indians extended Baltimore’s streak to 16 straight road losses with a 4-3 win on Monday night.
The Indians’ triumph was overshadowed by the indefinite injury to reigning American League Cy Young Shane Bieber from a sore shoulder. Bieber was placed on the disabled list and will not take a ball for at least two weeks.
Ramirez drove in a run off Dean Kremer (0-6) in the first inning when Baltimore left fielder DJ Stewart slipped on the wet grass while going after a routine fly ball. The Dominican added an RBI double in the sixth inning after Orioles second baseman Stevie Wilkerson dropped a foul fly, giving him another shot at the plate.
Indians rookie reliever Nick Sandlin (1-0) nailed his first career win by striking out three of five enemies he faced.
James Karinchak came out of trouble in the seventh inning and struck out three straight opponents in the eighth inning after he walked his first foe. Emmanuel Clase retired in order in the ninth inning to reach 10 saves.
The start of the game was delayed an hour due to rain, but the Orioles couldn’t help but extend their losing streak on the road. Baltimore hasn’t won on the road since John Means threw a no-hitter in Seattle on May 5.
For the Indians, the Dominicans José Ramírez 3-2 with two RBIs and one scored; Amed Rosario 3-0 with one scored. Venezuelan César Hernández 4-1 with two runs scored. Puerto Ricans Eddie Rosario 2-1 with an RBI; René Rivera 3-0. Colombian Harold Ramírez 3-0.
For the Orioles, Venezuelans Anthony Santander 4-1 with an RBI; Freddy Galvis 4-0 with an RBI. The Dominicans Maikel Franco 1-1 with a push; Pedro Severino 3-0.
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