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 The Cleveland Indians right fielder had his third career five-hit
game and had five RBIs to lead the Cleveland Indian to a 15-4
trouncing of the Toronto Blue Jays.
"It's a lot of fun and I love seeing it," said Murphy who signed
with Cleveland as a free agent in the off season. "This offense is
capable of a lot. There's a lot of times where we'll get three or
four runs early and don't add on like we should and like we could.
Tonight was obviously an extreme scenario but fun to be a part of."
Designated hitter Lonnie Chisenhall also collected five hits and
drove in a run for the Indians, who evened the three-game series to
set up a rubber match with the Blue Jays on Thursday.
"I felt comfortable in the box tonight, things were a lot slower
tonight," Murphy said. "I felt like over on the weekend in Tampa
(Bay) the game sped up on me a little bit. I was really trying to
slow things down tonight and last night. And it worked."
Indians catcher Yan Gomes, a former Blue Jay, capped off a six-run
ninth with his sixth homer of the season, a three-run shot after a
12-pitch at-bat, that knocked right-handed reliever Neil Wagner from
the game.
"Yan had one of the best at-bats I've seen in my life," Murphy said.
"It just said that regardless of what type of situation, he's not
going to waste an at-bat. Those are the type of guys that we love
having on this team."
Wagner was replaced by infielder/outfielder Steve Tolleson, who
became the seventh position player to pitch in Blue Jays history. He
allowed a double to Chisenhall before retiring left fielder Mike
Aviles on an inning-ending popup.
"I wish the circumstances hadn't of been that way to even get that
chance," Tolleson said. "But, I guess any time you have a chance to
go out and try to get an out in a major league game that's a pretty
special opportunity for anyone. I didn't take it for granted."
The Blue Jays, who were outhit 22-8, scored twice in the ninth
against right-hander Carlos Carrasco.
Toronto right-hander Dustin McGowan (2-2) allowed nine hits, two
walks and four runs in four-plus innings.
Kluber (4-3) set down the first 13 hitters that he faced before the
Blue Jays scored a run in the fifth. He allowed four hits, one walk
and two runs to win his second consecutive start.
"You can't really complain about getting run support," Kluber said.
"The guys did a good job of swinging the bats tonight. It was a good
night to get one of those really, really good offensive nights. It's
a while since we've had one of those. It's good for a lot of guys."
"Early on we were swinging the bats really well but we were
stranding some runners, leaving some opportunities out there"
Indians manager Terry Francona said. "And then we kept swinging at
strikes. From top to bottom we either took walks or got hits. It was
a good night all the way around."
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The Indians (19-21) led 4-2 through the sixth, and they increased
the margin to 6-2 in the seventh against right-hander Marcus
Stroman. The rally included RBI singles by Murphy and Aviles, who
started the game at second base but moved to left field because of
injuries to Michael Brantley, a tight back, and Nyjer Morgan, a mild
knee sprain.
"We were in that game going into the seventh inning," Blue Jays
manager John Gibbons said. "Then, of course, it exploded on us."
Cleveland added three more in the eighth, two on a double by Murphy
that greeted Wagner after he replaced Stroman, who was charged with
five runs (four earned). Wagner allowed six runs.
The Indians took a 1-0 lead in the second. Murphy's single scored
third baseman Carlos Santana, who walked and stole second.
Murphy led off the fourth with a double and scored on a single by
Chisenhall.
The advantage reached 4-0 when Santana hit his fifth homer of the
season after Brantley led off the fifth with a double. McGowan was
removed for right-hander Esmil Rogers after shortstop Asdrubal
Cabrera singled.
"Just one of those nights where they were waffling the ball,"
McGowan said. "Made some bad pitches, got waffled. Made some good
pitches, got waffled. Just have to tip your hat to them."
NOTES: The Blue Jays recalled RHP Neil Wagner and C Erik Kratz from
Triple-A Buffalo. C Dioner Navarro was placed on the
bereavement/family medical emergency list, and he is expected to
miss a few days to tend to a family matter. RHP Chad Jenkins was
optioned to Buffalo. ... The Indians are in the midst of playing six
consecutive games on artificial turf, going to Toronto after a
three-game series against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field.
They have not had a winning record on artificial turf since 2007,
when they went 12-6. ... Cleveland RHP Danny Salazar (1-3, 5.65 ERA)
will start on seven days' rest when he faces LHP J.A Happ (1-1, 4.63
ERA) in the series finale Thursday.
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