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Indians edge Red Sox in opener

Aug 10, 2012 - 2:49 AM Cleveland, OH (Sports Network) - Michael Brantley capped a three-run fifth inning with a sacrifice fly, as the Cleveland Indians beat the Boston Red Sox, 5-3, in the opener of a four-game series.

Asdrubal Cabrera and Carlos Santana added an RBI apiece in the fifth for the Indians, who have won two in a row since an 11-game skid. Jason Donald hit a homer and knocked in two runs.

Ubaldo Jimenez (9-11), who had lost his previous four decisions, gave up three runs on eight hits over six-plus innings to pick up the win. He struck out 10 and walked one.

Adrian Gonzalez hit a two-run homer for the Red Sox, who were coming off a 4-6 homestand. Dustin Pedroia had an RBI.

Boston starter Felix Doubront (10-6) allowed four runs on seven hits over 4 1/3 innings.

Trailing 3-1, Cleveland scored three runs in the fifth to take the lead. With one out, Lou Marson singled and Donald walked. Cabrera followed with an RBI double to left. After Shin-Soo Choo walked to load the bases, Santana hit a run-scoring single to left. Andrew Miller came in from the bullpen and gave up a sacrifice fly to Brantley.

The Indians tacked on an insurance run in the eighth. With the bases loaded and one out, Donald grounded into a fielder's choice to plate a run.

Chris Perez pitched a perfect ninth to pick up his 30th save of the season.

Donald's solo homer to right in the first inning gave the Indians an early lead.

But Boston got a two-run homer from Gonzalez in the fourth to take the lead. Pedroia led off with a single and scored on Gonzalez's blast to right.

The Red Sox tacked on a run in the fifth to take a 3-1 edge. Jacoby Ellsbury singled, stole second and crossed the plate on Pedroia's base hit to center.

Game Notes

The Red Sox are 3-2 against the Indians this season...Indians second baseman Jason Kipnis missed the game due to stiffness in his neck...Cleveland fired pitching coach Scott Radinsky and promoted Ruben Niebla from Triple-A Columbus to serve as the team's interim pitching coach. The Indians also released veteran outfielder Johnny Damon and pitcher Jeremy Accardo on Thursday. In addition, the Indians placed designated hitter Travis Hafner on the 15-day disabled list and recalled Donald from Columbus.