Carlos Santana belted a solo homer with one out in the ninth inning as the host Cleveland Indians posted a 3-2 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays on Friday night.
After Jake Bauers flied out to begin the ninth inning, Santana deposited a 1-0 fastball from Joe Biagini (0-1) into the bleachers in left-center field. The blast was Santana's fifth career walk-off homer and Cleveland's first walk-off win of the season.
Kevin Plawecki launched a homer to lead off the third inning and Max Moroff had an RBI double in the fifth for the Indians, who recorded back-to-back wins for the first time this season.
Freddy Galvis belted a two-run homer in the fifth inning for the Blue Jays, who mustered just three hits for the second straight night and have lost five of their last six games overall.
Adam Cimber (1-0) picked up the win after striking out Randal Grichuk and Rowdy Tellez to begin the ninth inning before Brandon Drury grounded out to third base.
Plawecki deposited a 3-2 inside fastball from rookie Trent Thornton into the bleachers in left field to give Cleveland a 1-0 lead. The homer was his first of the season and just the second by an Indians player, joining Hanley Ramirez (two).
Galvis, who broke up the Indians' combined no-hit bid in the ninth inning of Wednesday's series opener, gave Toronto a 2-1 lead after jumping on a 1-0 fastball from Shane Bieber in the fifth inning.
Moroff answered in the bottom of the frame with a sharp line drive to right to plate Ramirez to forge a tie at 2.
The starting pitchers acquitted themselves well en route to each recording a no-decision in the contest. Bieber allowed two runs on as many hits while striking out nine in six innings while Thornton yielded two runs on three hits while fanning seven in 5 2/3 frames.
Daniel Hudson retired Moroff on a groundout to lead off the eighth inning before pinch-hitter Jose Ramirez walked and successfully swiped second on Cleveland's first stolen base attempt of the season. Leonys Martin struck out looking and Tyler Naquin grounded out to end the threat.
--Field Level Media
Toronto | Cleveland | |
Trent Thornton | Player | Shane Bieber |
No Decision | W/L | No Decision |
5.2 | IP | 6.0 |
7 | Strikeouts | 9 |
3 | Hits | 2 |
3.18 | ERA | 3.00 |
Toronto | Cleveland | |
Freddy Galvis | Player | Kevin Plawecki |
1 | Hits | 1 |
2 | RBI | 1 |
1 | HR | 1 |
4 | TB | 4 |
.333 | Avg | .333 |