Indians top Angels behind Ramirez's bat, Cabrera's glove to win series, 4-3

Published Aug. 5, 2018 5:06 p.m. ET

CLEVELAND (AP) -- Jose Ramirez hit a three-run homer, rookie Shane Bieber picked up his sixth win and the Cleveland Indians defeated the Los Angeles Angels 4-3 on Sunday.

Ramirez's home run in the first inning -- his 33rd of the season -- came against Deck McGuire, called up from Triple-A Salt Lake to start in place of the injured Tyler Skaggs.

Before the game Angels manager Mike Scioscia dismissed a report that he's stepping down after this season. Scioscia, who has managed the Angels since 2000, said before Sunday's game that he won't talk about his future with the club until the season ends.

The Angels were missing outfielder Mike Trout for the fourth straight game with a lingering right wrist injury. He hasn't played since injuring his wrist while sliding on a steal attempt Wednesday in Tampa.

Trout is still having issues swinging the bat and is considered day to day. Albert Pujols was also out of the lineup for a planned day off.

McGuire (0-2) retired only one batter, allowed three runs and was pulled with the bases loaded in the first.

Bieber (6-2) allowed two runs in 5 2/3 innings. The Angels scored twice in the fifth on Kole Calhoun's RBI double and Shohei Ohtani's run-scoring single.

Brad Hand -- Cleveland's fourth reliever -- allowed a run in the ninth but got his third save with the Indians and 27th of the season. Calhoun started the inning with a single.

Pinch-hitter Justin Upton hit into a force play and Ohtani grounded out, but Andrelton Simmons's infield hit made it a one-run game. Hand struck out David Fletcher to end the game.

Skaggs was scheduled to start Sunday, but went on the 10-day disabled list with a left adductor strain. McGuire joined the team Saturday and was activated before the game. He allowed a home run, two singles, hit two batters, walked one and threw a wild pitch.

Francisco Lindor doubled and Michael Brantley walked. Ramirez homered on a 3-2 pitch, a drive that traveled an estimated 423 feet and barely missed landing in the upper deck in right field.

Cleveland's All-Star third baseman also walked twice and has three homers and eight RBIs in his last six games.

McGuire loaded the bases on two hit batters and a single, but Taylor Cole retired the next two hitters.

Jason Kipnis had an RBI double in the sixth.

Right fielder Melky Cabrera helped Bieber with three outstanding defensive plays. He made a head-first diving catch of balls hit by Jefry Marte and Calhoun in the third. Cabrera hung on to Ohtani's drive to right field after crashing into the wall in the fourth.

ROSTER NEWS

Infielder Luis Valbuena was designated for assignment to make room for McGuire. Valbeuna batted .199 with nine home runs and 33 RBIs in 96 games.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Indians: C Yan Gomes (right hamstring tendinitis) missed his second straight game.

UP NEXT

Angels: Los Angeles returns home to open a three-game series Monday against Detroit. RHP Nick Tropeano (4-6, 4.94 ERA) will start for the Angels)

Indians: Cleveland begins a three-game series Monday against Minnesota at Progressive Field. RHP Trevor Bauer (10-6, 2.34) will start for the Indians.