Ryan Garko hit a three-run homer, Aaron Laffey pitched out of trouble for his third win in six big-league starts and the Indians beat the Angels 6-2 Sunday night to split a four-game series between AL division leaders.
“I’m not going to lie – it was pretty big,” Garko said. “Detroit came out here last month and got swept, and we know how good Detroit is. But then C.C. [Sabathia] shut them down [Saturday], and Aaron did a great job in a tough environment.”
Cleveland’s 13th victory in 16 tries increased its AL Central lead to six games over the Tigers. The Angels have an eight-game cushion over the Mariners in the AL West.
The Indians visit U.S. Cellular Field for a three-game series against the White Sox starting Monday night. The Angels follow Cleveland into Chicago next weekend.
Extra innings
The Brewers activated right-hander Claudio Vargas from the 15-day disabled list. Vargas had been out since Aug. 25 with a strained lower back. He is 10-4 with a 5.13 ERA. … The Twins purchased the contract of catcher Matthew LeCroy from Triple-A Rochester and placed catcher Jose Morales on the DL. Morales went 3-for-3 in his major-league debut Saturday against the White Sox but sprained his left ankle. … Hanley Ramirez, Jeremy Hermida and Mike Jacobs homered in a five-run sixth as the Marlins lost to the Phillies 8-5.
