Indians at Angels
The Cleveland Indians are closing in on a wild-card spot but still haven't given up hope for the American League Central crown. Cleveland looks to grab the former and move closer to the latter when it visits the Los Angeles Angels on Tuesday for the middle contest of their three-game series.
The Indians rolled to a 6-2 victory in Monday's series opener to climb within one-half game of Oakland for the second AL wild card and five of division-leading Minnesota, which visits for a three-game showdown this weekend. Yu Chang belted a three-run homer - his first blast in the major leagues - and Jason Kipnis launched a two-run shot as Cleveland improved to 3-1 on a six-game road trip that includes a pair of road wins over the Twins. Albert Pujols and Jared Walsh went deep for Los Angeles, which was without Mike Trout on Monday after the superstar underwent a minor procedure on his right foot earlier in the day. Pujols' homer was the 655th of his career, moving him within five of tying Willie Mays for fifth place on the all-time list, while Walsh's was his first in the major leagues.
TV: 10:07 p.m. ET, YouTube
PITCHING MATCHUP: Indians RH Zach Plesac (7-6, 3.98 ERA) vs. Angels LH Jose Suarez (2-5, 6.45)
Plesac has lost three of his last four starts, surrendering at least four runs while failing to work more than five innings in each setback. The 24-year-old rookie from Indiana was tagged for six runs and eight hits over five frames in a loss to the Chicago White Sox on Thursday, ending a seven-start unbeaten streak at home during which he recorded four victories. Plesac will be facing the Angels for the first time in his career.
Suarez followed an opener in Oakland on Thursday and allowed two runs on five hits and a pair of walks over 5 1/3 innings. It was the 21-year-old Venezuelan rookie's longest outing since June 15, when he worked a career high-tying 5 2/3 frames at Tampa Bay en route to his most recent victory. Suarez, who never has faced Cleveland, has gone 0-4 in 10 starts and two relief appearances since the triumph over the Rays.
WALK-OFFS
1. Kipnis has gone 7-for-12 with three RBIs over his last three games.
2. Los Angeles 3B David Fletcher has hit safely in eight of his last 10 contests, recording five two-hit performances in that span.
3. Cleveland OF Greg Allen went 2-for-2 on Monday, matching the hit total from his previous 14 at-bats this month.