CLEVELAND, Ohio – Two batters into Friday night's game the Indians had a 2-0 lead against the Yankees. Carlos Santana hit a leadoff homer and Jason Kipnis followed with another homer to right field.
"A 2-0 lead doesn't mean you win the game, but it sets a good tone," said manager Terry Francona.
The tone setter for most of the first half has been Santana, uprooted from first base and the middle of the lineup and moved to the strange new land of leading off. He still sees time at first base and in the middle of the lineup on occasion, especially against left-handers such as New York's CC Sabathia, who started Saturday, but most of his time is spent at DH and leading off.