Now that was more like it.
After losing a late lead to the Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field Sunday, the Cleveland Indians got back to their winning ways, and they used the home run ball coupled with a solid performance from the pitching staff to earn a 6-0 victory over the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium in Anaheim Monday night.
The Indians generated four of their five runs via the home run, and it was somewhat unconventional as a power hitter legged out a round-tripper, a speedster put one over the wall and a free-agent addition connected on his second homer in the last three days.
PHOTOS: Cleveland Indians smash three home runs in win over Los Angeles Angels in Anaheim
Indians designated hitter Edwin Encarnacion is used to hitting home runs, and they are usually of the over-the-fence variety, but that was not the case for the right-handed slugger in the top of the second inning against the Angels.
After taking a called first strike from Angels starter JC Ramirez, Encarnacion hit a long fly ball down the left-field line.
Angels left fielder Justin Upton hustled toward the wall to make an attempt at catching the ball, but it ricocheted off the fence. Thinking the hit went foul, Upton initially did not pursue the ball, and by the time he got to it in left-center, Encarnacion had enough time to sprint around the bases for the inside-the-park home run.
We interrupt this coverage of the National Championship to tell you that EDWIN ENCARNACION HIT AN INSIDE-THE-PARK HOME RUN pic.twitter.com/yqnsg0kvvG
It was Encarnacion’s second inside-the-park home run of his career. The first of which came when he was a member of the Cincinnati Reds organization in August of 2007.
The Indians added onto their lead with runs in the top of the third and fourth innings.
Center fielder Bradley Zimmer reached base on an infield single with one out in the top of the third, and then, stole second base. Shortstop Francisco Lindor drew a walk and a throwing error from catcher Martin Maldonado allowed Zimmer to score the unearned run.
The next inning, the Indians went back to the long ball.
First baseman Yonder Alonso blasted the first pitch he saw from Ramirez deep into the seats in right field, which was his second round-tripper in the last three games.
Us: Do you know where Alonso hit that one?
You: Dad, please.
Us: He hit it ...
You: ...
Us: ... over Yonder. pic.twitter.com/1WxVWEGkNJ
Center fielder Tyler Naquin continued the rally when he smacked a 1-0 pitch from Ramirez over the scoreboard in right-center field for his first home run of the season. Naquin’s blast brought around right fielder Lonnie Chisenhall, who singled with one out earlier in the inning.
Welcome to the home-run party, Tyler Naquin. pic.twitter.com/u7BFgm1vqV
The Indians added an insurance run in the top of the eighth inning when they took advantage of two free passes.
Alonso led off the frame with a five-pitch walk, and three batters later, catcher Yan Gomes advanced him into scoring position when he drew a free pass from Angels reliever Luke Bard. Then, despite being down in the count, 1-2, outfielder Brandon Guyer smacked a double to left field, which brought around Alonso.
In addition to the offense, the Indians got plenty of help from the pitching staff against the Angels.
Starter Mike Clevinger scattered four hits and two walks over 5.1 innings of work in his 2018 regular-season debut. Clevinger registered five strikeouts and found the strike zone with 65 of his 97 pitches against the team that traded him to the Indians in 2014.
One day after giving up his first runs as an Indians pitcher, reliever Tyler Olson registered two strikeouts against no hits or walks in one inning of work against the Angels.
