While the Cleveland Indians may have fallen short of the second-wild card slot in the American League heading into the playoffs, their pitching performance in a three-game sweep of the Boston Red Sox should provide fans with an inkling of optimism heading into the offseason. 

Indians starter Danny Salazar (W, 14-10) followed up an eight-inning shutout performance by ace Corey Kluber on Saturday night with a shutdown start of his own, allowing just one run on four hits in 5.1 innings of work while striking out six batters and leading his squad to a season-concluding 3-1 victory over the Red Sox. 

The win pushed Cleveland over the .500 hump for the season, as they yielded just three runs in three contests against Boston, who ends a tumultuous 2015 season 78-84, concluding their road slate with a 35-46 mark. 

Indians first baseman Jesus Aguilar went 2-for-4 with an RBI, third baseman Giovanny Urshela contributed a 2-for-3 performance with an RBI, and right fielder Lonnie Chisenhall went 2-for-4. Cleveland tagged Boston starter Rick Porcello (L, 9-15) with the defeat, as the right-hander relinquished three runs (two earned) on ten hits in seven innings of work, striking out seven. 

Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz concluded a fantastic season with a 1-for-2, one-walk, one-RBI showing, smacking his 37th double of the season. Right fielder Jackie Bradley Jr. ended his season on a positive note as well, going 2-for-4 with a double, his 17th of the season. Ortiz and Bradley Jr. were the only Boston batters to reach base multiple times. 

Boston jumped out to an early 1-0 advantage against Salazar, inflicting damage immediately in the top of the first inning. After center fielder Mookie Betts struck out and second baseman Dustin Pedroia flied out to begin the ballgame, shortstop Xander Bogaerts laced a two-out double to right, advancing to third base on a balk by Salazar. 

Ortiz then garnered his 108th RBI of the season, smoking an RBI double to left center to plate Bogaerts. 

Porcello allowed a Chisenhall double in the bottom of the first, however, he emerged unscathed. Despite the initial letdown, the Indians were able to reach the scoreboard in the following inning. After consecutive outs to begin the second, catcher Roberto Perez doubled, creating the opportunity for an RBI single by Urshela to knot up the game at one. 

Cleveland grasped command of the ballgame in the ensuing inning. Left fielder Michael Martinez kicked off the rally with a double, and was transported to third on a subsequent single by Chisenhall. After a strikeout by designated hitter Carlos Santana, a throwing error by Porcello brought home Martinez, the go-ahead run. 

Aguilar followed that up with a two-out RBI single, scoring Chisenhall to give the Indians a 3-1 advantage. 

Salazar's pitch count reached 92 after he struck out Bogaerts to begin the sixth inning, prompting Cleveland manager Terry Francona to insert Kyle Crockett into the game for relief. The early exit did not halter the Indians efforts, however, as relievers Zach McAllister (H, 13), Jeff Manship (H, 3), and Bryan Shaw (H, 23) combined for 2.2 innings of two-hit ball, bridging the gap to closer Cody Allen

Allen struck out Boston third baseman Deven Marrero before inducing groundouts by Bradley Jr. and Betts to finalize his 34th save of the season, while handing his squad an 81-80 record to end the year. 

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About the author
Liam OBrien
Just a Boston man who loves sports. Oh, and writing is kind of a priority.