WASHINGTON: The Cleveland Indians stretched their historic winning streak to 22 straight games on Thursday with a dramatic 3-2, 10-inning triumph over the Kansas City Royals.
Jay Bruce hit a run-scoring double in the 10th as the Indians stretched their streak, already the longest in the history of the American League.
They surpassed the 21-game streak produced by the National League’s Chicago Cubs in 1935.
With five more wins they would surpass the 26-game win streak of the 1916 New York Giants, considered the longest ever in the Major Leagues despite the fact that the Giants’ run actually included one tie game which wasn’t counted toward official statistics.
“We’re in uncharted territory, and that’s an understatement,” Bruce said after the victory before a raucous crowd in Cleveland.
Thursday’s victory was the first walk-off win for the Indians in the streak, in which they have outscored their opponents 142-37.
The Indians trailed 2-1 and were down to their last strike in the bottom of the ninth when Francisco Lindor smacked a pitch from Kelvin Herrera to deep left field.
The ball hit the outfield wall, eluding Royals outfielder Alex Gordon, which allowed pinch-runner Erik Gonzalez to score from first base and tie the game.
After Cleveland closer Cody Allen pitched a scoreless top of the 10th, Jose Ramirez led off the bottom of the 10th with a hustling double to center field — barely beating the tag at second base.
Edwin Encarnacion drew a walk before Bruce delivered the game-winning double.
“This team has no quit whatsoever. We play every out,” Cleveland pitcher Josh Tomlin said.
Indians manager Terry Francona added: “That was a fun game to play. A great atmosphere. It felt like a playoff game.”
The Indians are 15-0 in September, which ties the major league record for most consecutive wins to open a month.
The Minnesota Twins went 15-0 to start June of 1991, and the Kansas City Royals did it in September 1977.
For the second straight game — and just the third time in the streak — the Indians didn’t score first, Kansas City going up 1-0 in the second inning when Mike Moustakas grounded into a double play that was enough to score Eric Hosmer from third base.
Cleveland answered with a run in the third, but the Royals regained the lead with a run in the sixth.
For a moment, it looked like the Royals would make that lead stand up.
But in the bottom of the ninth, Herrera surrendered a single to Indians pinch-hitter Tyler Naquin. Francisco Mejia, pinch-hitting for Yan Gomes, grounded into a forceout at second and was replaced by pinch-runner Gonzalez.
Lindor then came through on a 2-2 pitch that Royals manager Ned Yost admitted wasn’t what Herrera had in mind.
“Herrera was trying to go down and away, but it was up and more over the plate,” Yost said. “(Lindor) is a good hitter, and he laced it that way.”
Francona said Lindor “certainly doesn’t seem to shrink from those situations.”
“We had a lot of opportunities to score (earlier), but we couldn’t cash in. But when you’re at home, you’re a hit away.”
Indians edge Royals, stretch streak to 22 wins
Indians edge Royals, stretch streak to 22 wins
‘Winning mindset’: Yazeed Al-Rajhi ready to defend title at Dakar 2026
- Race runs from Jan. 3-17, will start and conclude in Yanbu
YANBU: Saudi rally star Yazeed Al-Rajhi is gearing up to defend his Dakar Rally title as the 2026 edition of the race kicks off in Yanbu on Jan. 3.
Last year’s victory confirmed Al-Rajhi as the first Saudi driver to win the overall car category (Ultimate), the highest class in what is considered the world’s toughest rally.
Al-Rajhi said: “We are approaching Dakar 2026 with great determination and an even greater sense of responsibility after our achievement in 2025. Winning the title was a historic moment, but the real challenge now is defending it. The car is fully ready, the team is working as one, and our objective from the start is clear: to fight for victory and secure a strong opening to the W2RC season.”
He highlighted the complete readiness of co-driver Timo Gottschalk as the team looks to repeat last year’s success in their Overdrive Toyota Hilux.
Gottschalk said: “The preparation for this season has been intense and extremely precise. We focused on every aspect Dakar demands in terms of concentration and discipline. Our synergy is at its best, and we are ready to manage the rally stage by stage, intending to fight for victory from day one.”
The Dakar Rally 2026, set to run from Jan. 3-17, will cover 7,994 km, with 4,840 km of timed stages across Saudi Arabia’s diverse landscapes. It will consist of 13 competitive stages, in addition to a prologue stage, with a rest day in the capital city. The rally will start and conclude in Yanbu, featuring seven loop stages and two marathon stages, which significantly increase the level of difficulty and place greater physical and technical demands on crews and teams.
Al-Rajhi has also expressed his desire to compete for the title of the World Rally-Raid Championship W2RC. Since the championship’s launch in 2022, he has finished runner-up twice and third overall once, highlighting his consistency at the highest level. The Saudi star said that his clear objective this season is to claim the W2RC title, with Dakar serving as the opening round of the championship.
Al-Rajhi acknowledged that competition this year will be extremely intense, but added that the goal has been clear from the outset: to defend the Dakar title and move forward steadily toward winning the World Rally-Raid Championship.
“Early preparation and attention to the smallest technical and physical details give us strong confidence heading into the rally,” he added. “We know the competition will be tough, but we enter Dakar with a winning mindset, aiming to deliver a complete season that reflects the name of Saudi Arabia and matches our global ambitions.”
Al-Rajhi extended his sincere gratitude and appreciation to Jameel Motorsport, his official partner, for their unwavering support. He credited their backing as one of the key pillars behind his continued success and achievements in the Kingdom.
