CLEVELAND — Even with a new center fielder and leadoff hitter in the lineup, the red-hot Indians didn’t miss a beat Sunday at Progressive Field.
Of course the player filling both the roles for the first time this season was none other than Grady Sizemore, and that always helps.
With Sizemore making his debut, Cleveland stayed hot, beating Baltimore 4-2 to clinch a three-game sweep of the Orioles. The Indians won their seventh straight at home, while collecting their 11th victory in 13 games to move them into sole possession of first place in the Central Division.
“I was definitely hoping for a win today,” said Sizemore, who made his long-awaited return, playing in his first game since May 16 of last year. “I didn’t want to come in and ruin the streak.
“It was definitely exciting. It was one of those things where I definitely had some jitters, especially during that first at-bat.”
Sizemore, who is coming back from microfracture surgery on his left knee, received a warm greeting from the hometown fans, getting a standing ovation before grounding out to second base in his first at-bat.
In his second trip to the plate, Sizemore returned the favor, belting a 2-0 fastball from Orioles starter Brad Bergesen over the right-field wall for a solo home run that put the Indians in front 2-0.
“It was very nice to see Grady come back today and make a very nice contribution right off the bat,” manager Manny Acta said. “He looked good. He was on time at the plate. I think this was huge, because of where he’s coming from.”
“I was just trying to put some good swings together,” said Sizemore, who went 2-for-4 on the day, adding a double in his third at-bat in the fifth inning. “I definitely wasn’t trying to hit a home run, but it was nice to have some good at-bats today.
“The team’s been playing great. I can’t help but get excited about how the guys are playing. I just want to come in here and fit in and not change any of that.”
Though they have played well in his absence, the Indians are happy to have the three-time All-Star and two-time Gold Glove award winner back in the fold.
“I think today is the first day I’ve ever seen him healthy,” closer Chris Perez said. “He put on a show. It’s just going to help us out. It’s a tremendous uplift.”
“He’s one of the best players in the game when he’s healthy,” Acta said.
Sizemore’s homer, his first since Aug. 27, 2009 at Baltimore, was one of three on the day for the Indians, who are in the midst of their longest home winning streak since 2007.
Carlos Santana and Travis Hafner also went deep, Santana snapping an 0-for-23 skid by leading off the second inning with his second homer to score the game’s first run.
Hafner hit his fourth homer — a solo shot — with one out in the sixth to put Cleveland in front 4-1. Hafner, who is displaying his power of old, didn’t hit his fourth homer until May 22 last year (his 36th game).
Travis Buck drove in the Indians’ other run with a single in the fourth.
The offensive support was enough for Fausto Carmona, who got his first win after allowing just two runs (one earned) on five hits over seven innings.
Cleveland’s ace, who has pitched well since a disastrous outing on Opening Day, struck out five and walked one.
“He doesn’t have three wins, but he’s got three quality starts since Opening Day,” Acta said.
Carmona (1-2, 4.74 ERA) was perfect through three innings, allowing his first hit to Brian Roberts and his only earned run in the fourth.
Perez pitched the ninth, retiring the side in order and striking out Luke Scott to end the game and earn his fifth save in as many opportunities.
It put the caps on another momentous day at the park for the Indians, who begin a four-game series against another surprising team, the Royals, at Kansas City tonight.
“It was a very good day, a very good homestand,” said Acta of the three games against Baltimore. “Now, we’re ready to go on the road and battle.”
Contact Chris Assenheimer at 329-7136 or cassenheimer@chroniclet.com.
