Kipnis, Indians too much for Brewers

CLEVELAND -- With his best pitcher landing on the disabled list, Indians manager Terry Francona knew he needed a strong effort from the rest of his team Wednesday night.

That's precisely what he got in Cleveland's 6-2 win over the Milwaukee Brewers.

Jason Kipnis, who leads the American League with a .325 batting average, homered and drove in three runs, but the pitching staff came through under unusual circumstances when Francona had to use six pitchers.

"You can do it on a night like tonight because we have a day off tomorrow," Francona said. "Everybody did what they're supposed to, pretty much."

Carlos Carrasco, who leads the team in wins, was placed on the 15-day DL with a sore right shoulder Wednesday. That meant rookie right-hander Cody Anderson would have to come off the DL without making a minor league rehab appearance.

Pitching for the first time since Aug. 7, when he was sidelined with a strained left oblique, Anderson allowed two runs in 4 1/3 innings, falling two outs short of recording the win while throwing 76 pitches.

"Cody, for being down 19 days, did a real good job," Francona said. "That was probably farther than we thought he might get."

Anderson was scheduled to begin a rehab assignment Monday for Single-A Lake County, but was scratched when the Indians decided to shut down Carrasco. He was aware his next start might come in the majors.

"I knew there was a possibility," he said. "I didn't know what was going to happen. I kind of waited for them to give me the ball. I've always taken the approach whenever they give me the ball I'll throw it until they take it away."

Jeff Manship (1-0) worked 1 1/3 innings for his first win since April 26, 2014, when he was pitching for Philadelphia against Arizona.

Kipnis gave Cleveland the lead with a two-run double with the bases loaded in the second inning. He added a solo homer in the eighth.

Jimmy Nelson (10-10) allowed five runs and walked eight in 3 1/3 innings in losing for the first time since July 10.

"I wasn't making the adjustments I know I can do, which is very frustrating," he said. "I did it to myself."

Rookie Francisco Lindor stole three bases and Lonnie Chisenhall added an RBI for the Indians, who have won six of seven at home.

Khris Davis hit a leadoff homer in the second, but Anderson retired the next 10 hitters. He was pulled after allowing a walk and a single in the fifth.

Cleveland answered Davis' homer with a three-run second. Abraham Almonte's single and walks to Jerry Sands and Jose Ramirez loaded the bases. Kipnis lined a hit over third base, scoring Almonte and Sands. Ramirez scored when Davis booted the ball, which rolled to the corner.

PROGRESS REPORT

Francona doesn't think the injury to Carrasco, who had a cortisone shot Tuesday, is serious. "He's going to be fine," Francona said. "On Monday he threw a complete bullpen and threw really well. Once we gave him the shot, that made it easy to put him on the DL and back date it." Carrasco, who last pitched on Aug. 21, is 12-9 and has already thrown a career-high 158 innings.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Brewers righty Tyler Cravy (right elbow impingement), who has been on the DL since Aug. 19, participated in a plyometric workout Wednesday. He is expected to resume throwing within a week.

UP NEXT

Brewers youngster Taylor Jungmann seeks his second victory over the Reds when the teams begin a three-game series Friday in Milwaukee.

Indians righty Danny Salazar will start the opener of a three-game home series Friday against the Angels.