TORONTO – Carlos Santana hit a solo homer in the 19th inning as the Cleveland Indians defeated the Toronto Blue Jays 2-1 in a marathon Friday to extend their winning streak to a franchise-record 14 games.
Santana led off the 19th by turning on a full-count pitch from infielder Darwin Barney for his 17th homer of the season. Barney (0-1) had relieved backup infielder Ryan Goins as both teams depleted their bullpens.
Cleveland (49-30) used nine pitchers in all – including Saturday’s scheduled starter Trevor Bauer – in a game that lasted six hours 13 minutes. Bauer (7-2) worked five innings of relief for the win as the Indians spoiled the Canada Day party at Rogers Centre.
The Blue Jays fell to 43-39 with their eighth loss in 12 games. Justin Smoak provided Toronto’s lone run with a solo homer in the sixth inning.
Cleveland’s streak is the longest in one season since the Atlanta Braves won 14 in a row in 2013.
The Indians nearly took the lead in the 10th inning. Cleveland put two runners on but Kevin Pillar made a brilliant diving catch in centre field to end the threat.
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