CLEVELAND (AP) – The Boston Red Sox have spent 86 years between the World Series titles and are now on the verge of eclipsing an even older stage.

Sam Travis and Tzu-Wei Lin registered their first home runs in the major league and the Red Sox tied their record for more than a century with their 105th win, beating the Indians 7-5 on Friday night.

The Red Sox (105-49), East Asian champion, playing without many of his regulars, equaled the club mark established in 1912.

"It was great, having all the guys, even those who did not play at the top step, was like a regular match," said Alex Cora, director from Boston. "Overall, it was a fun match, good energy, it was a long night, we arrived late and they came here and playing was fun."

The magic figure of Boston to have the advantage on the field throughout the playoffs has also been reduced to one.

Trevor Bauer took a step forward in Cleveland's playoff rotation, performing unmarked 1 1/3 innings in his first appearance since he had his right leg on August 11th. He was 12-6 with a line drive hit by Jose Abreu of the Chicago White Sox.

"It has been frustrating for five and a half weeks to not be able to be there," Bauer said. "It's really nice to come back into a game situation, especially when coming back against a team like the Red Sox, they were the best baseball team this year."

Boston ace Chris Sale, who was released in the rotation after a recent shoulder problem, eliminated seven players in 3 1/3 innings. He gave two points to his third start on the list of people with disabilities.

"It's a good offensive team, so that's a good test," said Cora. "He feels good and we'll see how he reacts in the next few days."

Cora said Sale will start against Baltimore on Wednesday.

Josh Donaldson escaped Sale in the fourth inning, ending the undefeated consecutive streak of 35 left. It was the first sales channel of 75 innings.

Donaldson was acquired from Toronto on August 31 after missing three months with a calf injury. His run on a 1-2 pitch landed in the left stands and was his second with the Indians and seventh of the season.

The Red Sox used nine pitchers against the Indian champions AL Center. Matt Barnes (6-3) shot a scoreless sixth and Craig Kimbrel was ninth for his 42nd save.

Mookie Betts, Xander Bogaerts, Andrew Benintendi and Jackie Bradley Jr. were excluded from the Boston roster. Rafael Devers defeated the Red Sox and Travis, who had three points scored, used a seventh time to clear a 4-2 deficit.

Shane Bieber (10-5) allowed six points in 4 2/3 innings.

Bauer allowed two hits, scored one and eliminated J.D. Martinez, the RBI leader of the major leagues. He threw 34 shots – 17 strikes – and was eliminated after giving single-handed Steve Pearce and Brock Holt in the second period.

Bauer is expected to start Tuesday against the White Sox and will perform in Kansas City next weekend.

"The health, the ankle sensation, has been better," Bauer said. "So, everything is going in a very positive direction."

GREAT MOMENT

Left-handed Robby Scott pulled out Michael Brantley as a result of a foul on the left with the bases charged to finish the eighth. Cora decided to walk Francisco Lindor intentionally to set up the situation.

"We do not walk in crowds, but I will not let him (Lindor) beat me there," said Cora. "I prefer to walk him and try his luck with Brantley with this game."

SWING IMPROVED

Donaldson was the DH on Friday and will play third base on Saturday and Sunday. He's batting 0.217 (5 for 23) with Cleveland, but he feels good on the plate.

"I did not have a lot of results, but I hit hard balls," Donaldson said. "As long as my approach and the way I see the ball, my recognition of the ball is up, and I hit the ball well, I can not ask for anything more."

Donaldson states that Arizona Cardinals catcher, Larry Fitzgerald, put him in touch with a doctor specializing in soft tissue injuries during his rehabilitation that helped the recovery process.

MAKE PROGRESS

Devers made his 18th home run and had two hits in each of the last two games.

"He's good," said Cora. "He makes good swings, you can see that he has a lot of confidence in him."

TRAINER ROOM

Red Sox: INF Eduardo Nunez (left hamstring) should miss the series. He was injured beating an indoor infield on Wednesday.

FOLLOWING

RHP Rick Porcello (17-7, 4.30 ERA), the team leader in wins, starts Saturday for Boston. RHP Mike Clevinger (12-8, 3.06 ERA) starts against the Red Sox for the first time this season.

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