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CLEVELAND (AP) – With ski goggles perched on his head, Michael Brantley was at the center of the Cleveland Rock Club, just steps from a trash can overflowing with dozens of empty beer and champagne bottles.
The party was in full swing on Saturday. So were the Indians.
And as he watched his teammates aim with foaming fluids, Brantley wanted to cherish a Central AL championship that seemed preordained.
"I'm savoring every moment," said Brantley after the Indians won their third consecutive divisional title on Saturday. "It never gets old for me. It's a lot of hard work that this group has done to get to this point. It's well deserved, well deserved and I'm happy to be part of it. "
Undisputed for months, the Indians scored 11 points in the first two rounds and lost 15-0 to the Detroit Tigers, who made four errors, only two hits and failed to win. face the Indians since April.
Neither the Minnesota Twins, nor the Chicago White Sox, nor the Kansas City Royals, who have spent the past three seasons in the Indian standings.
Francisco Lindor and Brantley tied Michael Fulmer (3-12) in the first inning, Jose Ramirez scored three times and the Indians became the first team to win a division title this year.
This is the first step towards a month in October when Cleveland will attempt to win its first world series since 1948 – the longest drought of the majors. After so many close calls, the Indians believe it is their year.
"It's really good," said Lindor. "We understand that we still have a long way to go. We had an idea that we were going to be in the playoffs for a week now, but still, it feels good to celebrate, to give this little teaser to all guys, like: "That's what could happen if you continue to win. "
Cleveland's current three-year reign in Central is the club's longest since winning five straight victories from 1995 to 1999.
Mike Clevinger (12-8) gave a blow in six innings, and Yonder Alonso added a two-run homer after the Cleveland attack woke up late in the season.
The only failure for the Indians was an injury to the designated hitter Edwin Encarnacion, who rolled his right ankle rounding the second goal in the fourth quarter. But Encarnacion looked good after Ramirez, Lindor and others took turns celebrating.
The Indians were not convinced they would win by scoring six goals in the first, the thrust triggered by shots of Lindor and Brantley of Fulmer, who was shot after five shots due to knee inflammation .
The 35th Lindor Circuit was also the All-Star's eighth best time, breaking the club record he shared with Grady Sizemore (2008). Brantley followed with his 16th circuit and the rout was on.
The clash of Cleveland was obvious.
The Indians had to win one of the least competitive divisions of baseball and they did it easily. They entered first on April 21, took a two-digit lead for August 8 and withdrew. But as the standings show a runaway, the Indians, who had their eyes riveted on the upcoming playoffs after leading a 2-0 lead over the Yankees in the 2017 playoff series, had their share of adversity .
There were injuries, personal setbacks and a serious health crisis which, thankfully, ended up being just that.
Although it seemed easy, it was anything but.
"It's a tough division," said reliever Cody Allen. "You talk about the Detroit Tigers, which we have seen for years gathering incredible teams and Kansas City for two consecutive years by putting together incredible clubs. So we had to grind. "
For Terry Francona, the chance to see his players flourish is greater than the 83 wins of the team. It's their reward.
"I want guys to like it too because sometimes they are young and they think they're going to do it all the time, and you're not doing it," he said. "So, take advantage of it! We'll let people romp tonight and we'll probably have a little different programming tomorrow.
Farewell, friend
Victor Martinez was overwhelmed with emotion at a pre – game ceremony to celebrate his years with the Indians. The Detroit DH plans to retire after its 18th season, ending a career that began with Cleveland in 2002.
"It's like my mom was saying," We'll always have this team in your heart, "said Martinez, who has spent nearly eight seasons with the Indians.
Tiger director Ron Gardenhire and Francona played with Martinez.
"That's one of the reasons I'm working for the Detroit Tigers now, instead of the old team I was working for," said Gardenhire, who ran Minnesota from 2002 to 2014. "When was there, he killed us. We could not get him out.
Francona called Martinez "one of the coolest guys in the game and one of the most professional hitters, a great teammate."
FULMER HURT
Fulmer came out after giving up the circuits to Lindor and Brantley with a right knee injury that he suffered while he was coming down the mound during Lindor's attempt.
"None of his lands were alive, as they normally do," said receiver James McCann. "That's why I called Gardy. He begged to stay in the game, but his health is more important than anything.
Fulmer left the clubhouse without speaking to reporters.
ROOM OF TRAINERS
Tigers: CF JaCoby Jones left with a squeeze from the right shoulder to the fourth after hitting the wall of the central field and diving for a blooper.
FOLLOWING
Indian rookie Shane Bieber enters the final of the series in search of his 11th win. Bieber is the first Cleveland rookie to win double-digit wins since Mitch Talbot's 10th in 2010. Francisco Liriano starts for Detroit.
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