by Jerry Feitelberg

The Oakland A’s won their fourth game in a row downing the Cleveland Indians 6-4 on Monday in Cleveland. The A’s offense was paced by solo home runs by Jurickson Profar and Matt Olson. Matt Chapman hit a two-run blast in the ninth to give the A’s a three-run cushion heading into the bottom of the ninth.

The A’s scored one run in the second, one in the third and one in the fourth take a 3-0 lead. Profar homered in the second, Olson in the third, and doubles by Robbie Grossman and Josh Phegley produced the A’s third run in the fourth.

The Indians put one on the board in the bottom of the fifth. Indians’ third baseman Jose Martinez doubled leading off the frame. He went to third on a ground out and scored on Omar Mercado’s single. The A’s still lead 3-1 after five.

In the bottom of the sixth, Indians’ second baseman Jason Kipnis led off with a double. Anderson retired Carlos Santana for the first out. It was at this point that Bob Melvin came out of the dugout and after a short conference with Anderson, removed him from the game. Yusmeiro Petit relieved him and retired the next two hitters.

The A’s added a run in the seventh. Shortstop Marcus Semien doubled down the left field line, and when Mercado misplayed the ball, he went to third. Matt Chapman singled to drive him in with the fourth run of the game for Oakland. The Indians got the run back in their half of the seventh when the Indians’ catcher Roberto Perez led off with a home run. Ryan Buchter came in to pitch, and he retired the next three Cleveland hitters.

The Indians made it a 4-3 game in the eighth. Lou Trivino had control issues. With one out, Trivino walked Kipnis and Santana. He struck out Jake Bauers for the second out. Ramirez singled to drive in Kipnis. Trivino walked Perez to load the bases. A’s manager Bob Melvin made his decision. He brought in closer Blake Treinen to get a four-out save. Treinen got Martinez to ground out to end the inning.

The A’s added two insurance runs in the ninth when Matt Olson homered with a man on to make it 6-3. Treinen retired the first two hitters in the bottom of the ninth. He did not get by Francisco Lindor. Lindor homered to make it 6-4. Treinen got Kipnis to ground out to preserve the win.

Game Notes- Brett Anderson improved his season record to 5-3. He was diagnosed with a cervical strain. It is nor known at this time if he will have to go on the 10-day IL. Blake Treinen earned his 8th save of the season.

The A’s are now 23-25 are in third place in the AL West just 1/2 game behind the second-place Texas Rangers.

The A’s will send Chris Bassitt to the hill Tuesday night. Bassitt is 2-1 with an ERA of 1.93, and he will be opposed by the Indians’ Trevor Bauer. Bauer is 4-2 and has an ERA of 3.76. Game time will be at 3pm.