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There were two photographs hanging on the wall outside the Cleveland Indians’ clubhouse on Sunday. Both featured the frozen image of Cleveland’s players jumping and smiling, mobbing each other during recent game-winning celebrations. The photo on top was from a scene on Friday night, when Carlos Santana delivered a walk-off grand slam for Cleveland. The picture showed Santana about to disappear into a pile of his teammates at home plate.
There was one player, however, that stood out from the crowd. There, taped to the photo, was Rick Vaughn, the hard-throwing, trash-talking Indians pitcher portrayed by Charlie Sheen in the movie, "Major League." After a 5-4 win over the Tigers on Sunday, the Tribe’s third comeback win in as many days, this surprising Indians team could be compared to its fictional counterpart. The real-life Indians insist this is better than the movies. "For sure," Cleveland closer Chris Perez said with a smile. "They didn’t start winning until the second half, if I remember the movie correctly." This Tribe squad -- hardly short on characters fit for a Hollywood movie -- have stormed to the top of the American League Central over the season’s first four weeks. Sunday’s win over division rival Detroit came courtesy of a solid effort from staff horse Justin Masterson and a late rally that brought out the brooms. Cleveland has reeled off six wins in a row, polished off five series sweeps and boasts a 19-8 record, representing the team’s best start since opening with the same mark in 1999. The Indians have also won 13 in a row at Progressive Field for their longest home streak since 1996.
In the end, Masterson (5-0) did not notch a win,(Mlb Jerseys ) but he does carry the distinction of being the first Indians right-hander since Hall of Famer Bob Lemon in 1955 to win each of his first five starts in a season. No Cleveland righties have won each of their first six starts since Jim Bagby and Stan Coveleski both accomplished the feat in 1920.
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