Indians Leave Red Sox Little Hope

The Cleveland Indians came into Fenway Park to boost their playoff chances. While their fate is uncertain, they just about destroyed Boston’s hopes to return to the postseason.

An 8-5 victory in the second game of Thursday’s second consecutive day-night doubleheader gave Cleveland the series, 3-2, and dropped the Red Sox four games behind the American League wild card-leading Indians and Oakland A’s with nine to play.

Adding to Boston’s problems was a pregame clubhouse outburst by Carl Everett, who shouted at teammate Darren Lewis. The center fielders were kept apart by coaches Tommy Harper and Jim Rice.

“It’s been such a tight race the last month and a half, this wild-card thing, it’s good to put a team behind you,” said Cleveland pitcher Chuck Finley (14-11), who won for the fourth time in five starts.

Everett, who didn’t start any games in the series because of a strained left quadriceps, showed up late and told Manager Jimy Williams he couldn’t play. The confrontation took place after Lewis met with Williams and replaced Everett in the lineup. General Manager Dan Duquette said Everett wouldn’t be disciplined.

“Any time you are on a winning team, one that has been in the playoffs, and you get in the situation we are, tempers will flare and frustration will show,” Boston outfielder Trot Nixon said.

The Red Sox, who last won the World Series in 1918, took Thursday’s opener, 9-8, after Cleveland took a 7-0, first-inning lead. In the second game, the Indians didn’t waste another big inning, scoring six with two outs in the sixth.

Russell Branyan and Kenny Lofton had two RBIs each in the second game and Travis Fryman went four for five.

The Everett outburst occurred as pitcher Bryce Florie visited the clubhouse for the first time since suffering right eye damage and broken facial bones when he was hit by a line drive Sept. 8.

“Good to see Bryce,” Williams said. “That may have been the best part of the whole day.”