CLEVELAND _ The Indians won again on Saturday, extending their franchise-record winning streak to 17 games, but they have at least added some variance to how they did it.
For the first time since the streak started, the Indians didn't score first but came back to beat the Baltimore Orioles 4-2 Saturday afternoon at Progressive Field. It was the first time since Aug. 23 the Indians didn't strike first.
The Orioles got to Indians starting pitcher Josh Tomlin in the first inning via three singles _ two of which barely escaped the infield _ to put the O's up 1-0. Giovanny Urshela at second base and Francisco Lindor at shortstop each nearly made a terrific play, but their throws were beaten to the bag both times. The latter, by Trey Mancini, brought home Manny Machado.
But, it was no matter. The Orioles won the battle and became the first team to score first against the Indians in more than two weeks, but lead was erased via run-scoring innings in the third, fourth and fifth.
After Yan Gomes singled off Orioles starter Gabriel Ynoa in the third, Urshela followed with a double off the wall in left-center to tie it 1-1. An inning later, Carlos Santana doubled and scored on Jay Bruce's RBI single to right field, putting the Indians on top 2-1. In the fifth, Lonnie Chisenhall singled with two outs and scored on Santana's double off the wall in left field.
The Orioles and Indians then traded solo shots, Tim Beckham in the sixth and Francisco Lindor in the seventh. For Lindor, it was his 28th home run, extending his career high. It's the most home runs by any shortstop in baseball this season and the most by an Indians shortstop in franchise history.
Tomlin tossed five innings, allowing two runs on four hits and striking out three. From there, the Indians' bullpen secured consecutive win No. 17. Joe Smith, Craig Breslow and Dan Otero combined to get through the sixth and seventh innings. Bryan Shaw entered and struck out the side in the eighth before Cody Allen notched save No. 25 in the ninth.
