CLEVELAND — Michael Brantley pumped his fist, danced around second base and waited for the traditional soaking.
The water was as sweet as any champagne.
Brantley, forced to the outside during Cleveland’s magical ride in 2016 because of injuries, doubled home Francisco Lindor with two outs in the 10th inning as the Indians celebrated their AL championship and then beat the Chicago White Sox 2-1 on Tuesday in their home opener.
Brantley could only watch and cheer for his teammates last October after undergoing two surgeries on his right shoulder. But he’s healthy now, and after playing in just 11 games last season, Brantley made the most of his first home game since May 10 with his game-winning hit.
“I don’t know if you can write it up any better,” he said.
Lindor walked with two outs off Tommy Kahnle (0-1) before Brantley sliced a 3-2 pitch down the left-field line. Lindor was running on the pitch and scored easily before bolting toward second to join his teammates in celebrating along with Brantley, who has overcome major obstacles in the past year.
“It was awesome,” said Lindor, who homered in the first. “I was so happy for him. As soon as I touched home plate, I looked around and everyone was clapping for him, his family in the stands, it was pretty cool, special.
“He’s back. Brantley’s back.”
It was the dramatic ending the Indians didn’t get in their last home game, a 10-inning loss to the Chicago Cubs in Game 7 of the World Series. Cleveland led the majors with 11 walk-off wins last season.
Bryan Shaw (1-0), who took the loss when the Cubs won their first title in 108 years, got the win.
Rookie Yandy Diaz should have been given a save after making a diving catch of Tyler Saladino’s line drive in the eighth with the game tied and runners at second and third.
“I can’t tell you what happened, because the ball just went into my glove,” Diaz said. “I saw that the ball was in my glove when I got up off the ground.”
