Kipnis’ HR lifts Indians past Cards

ST. LOUIS (AP) ― Chris Perez insisted it was no big deal that his 20th consecutive save came against his old team. The body language begged to differ.

The Cleveland Indians closer finished off a 4-1 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals on Sunday while battling an upset stomach that left him spitting up fluid between pitches. After getting Adron Chambers on a pop-up with a man on first for the final out, Perez went down to one knee.

“I drank some warm water and I ran out there and it just didn’t settle well,” Perez said. “What am I going to do, call timeout and run into the dugout?

“If you remember, a couple years ago in spring training it was the same situation. So I need to stay away from warm water.”

Cleveland’s Jason Kipnis hit a tiebreaking three-run homer off closer Jason Motte in the ninth after the Cardinals left the bases loaded in the eighth. Vinnie Pestano (3-0) walked three straight batters with one out in the eighth but recovered to strike out No. 3 hitter Yadier Molina and cleanup man Allen Craig.

“That’s the game right there,” Kipnis said. “I thought both starting pitchers did a great job and it just came down to who can execute late.”

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