CLEVELAND -- Cleveland manager Terry Francona put up a pinch-hitter in the middle of an at-bat and the strategy paid off when Tyler Naquin lofted a game-ending sacrifice fly in the ninth inning that lifted the Indians over the Chicago White Sox 5-4 Thursday night.
The AL Central-leading Indians scored a single run in each of the last five innings to overtake Chicago. Cleveland improved to 6-2 on an 11-game homestand.
Abraham Almonte doubled to begin ninth off Jacob Turner (1-2). With Roberto Perez batting, a passed ball by Dioner Navarro moved Almonte to third.
Francona then sent Naquin to the plate with a 1-0 count. The rookie drove the first pitch he saw to center field, deep enough that Adam Eaton couldn't prevent Almonte from scoring.
Andrew Miller (7-1) earned the win with one inning of scoreless relief (see full recap).
Bryant homers twice to help Cubs sweep Brewers
CHICAGO -- Kris Bryant homered twice, doubled and drove in five runs while going 5 for 5 and the Chicago Cubs overcame a career-high seven walks by Jake Arrieta to beat the Milwaukee Brewers 9-6 Thursday for a four-game sweep.
Bryant tied Colorado's Nolan Arenado for the NL lead with 30 home runs. The Cubs won for the 18th time in 21 games and improved the best record in the majors to 77-43.
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Chicago led 5-0 when Arrieta (15-5) issued a pair of two-out walks in the fourth. Kirk Nieuwenhuis followed with a three-run homer.
Hernan Perez hit a solo homer in the sixth off Arrieta, who allowed four runs and three hits in 5 2/3 innings.
Aroldis Chapman worked the ninth for his seventh save with the Cubs.
Bryant singled and scored in the first, hit a two-run homer in the third and had an RBI double in the fourth off Zach Davies (9-6). Bryant hit a solo homer off Blaine Boyer in the sixth and added an RBI single in the eighth off Corey Knebel for his second career five-hit game (see full recap).
Tigers snap Red Sox 6-game win streak
DETROIT -- Second baseman Ian Kinsler caught a line drive by Mookie Betts for the final out with runners on second and third, and the Detroit Tigers held off the Red Sox 4-3 Thursday, snapping Boston's six-game winning streak.
Andrew Romine drew a bases-loaded walk to cap a three-run Detroit rally in the eighth.
Boston threatened in the ninth against Francisco Rodriguez. Kinsler was well positioned and needed to move only slightly to his right to make the play on Betts' liner.
Rodriguez got his 34th save in 37 chances.
Justin Wilson (3-4) won in relief. Junichi Tazawa (2-2) failed to retire a batter in the eighth.
Sandy Leon homered for Boston (see full recap).
