PITTSBURGH (AP) — Josh Naylor foiled Pittsburgh’s strategy with an RBI single in the seventh inning, helping the Indians beat the Pirates 2-1.
Cleveland avoided a three-game sweep by the Pirates, who had lost 10 straight entering the series.
The Indians have won seven of 10.
The lefty-swinging Naylor sent the first pitch he saw from left-handed reliever Chasen Shreve to right, driving in Eddie Rosario to break a 1-all tie.
The hit came after Pirates manager Derek Shelton pulled right-handed starter JT Brubaker with two out in the seventh.
Brubaker threw just 76 pitches, gave up three hits and tied his career-high with nine strikeouts.