CLEVELAND, Ohio (AP) – Rookie Danny Salazar gave Cleveland a much-needed quality start and Nick Swisher hit a two-run homer as the Indians tightened their grip one of the AL wild card spots with their 14th straight win over the Chicago White Sox, 7-2 on Wednesday night in their home finale.
Salazar (2-3) struck out eight in 5 1/3 innings for the Indians, who won their final six home games to stay with the wild-card leaders.
They entered the night with a one-game lead over Texas in the wild card chase. Cleveland is also one game behind Tampa Bay for the top spot with just four games left.
Cleveland hasn’t made the playoffs since 2007, but the Indians are closing in on a berth under first-year manager Terry Francona, who guided Boston to two World Series titles.
Swisher homered in the fifth inning off Dylan Axlerod (4-11) as the Indians finished the season 16-2 against Chicago.