Indians get AL-best 102nd victory, beat White Sox 3-1
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}CLEVELAND (AP) -- Jay Bruce had a two-run single, Josh Tomlin pitched into the sixth inning and the Cleveland Indians got their AL-best 102nd victory, beating the Chicago White Sox 3-1 on Sunday in their regular-season finale.
Cleveland will next play an AL Division Series against the winner of the wild-card game between the Yankees and Twins. The 102 victories were the second most in franchise history behind the 1954 team's 111.
Jose Ramirez went 2 for 2, including his AL-high 56th double, and Carlos Santana had a sacrifice fly for the Indians, who are seeking a second straight World Series appearance. Bruce's two RBIs in the first inning gave him 100 for the second time in his career.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Cleveland won 33 of its final 37 games dating to Aug. 24, when it began an AL-record 22-game winning streak. The White Sox went 67-95 in their first year under manager Rick Renteria, posting their worst record since 2013.
Tomlin (10-9) tossed 5 1/3 innings of one-run ball, striking out six and giving the club five pitchers with double-digit victories. The right-hander is penciled in as the Indians' fourth starter in the playoffs. Cody Allen worked a perfect ninth for his 30th save.
Chris Volstad (1-2) walked Francisco Lindor, Jason Kipnis and Ramirez to begin his day -- all scored -- before settling into a groove. He allowed three runs over six innings in his second start in the majors since 2012.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Rob Brantly hit a leadoff homer in the fifth to pull the White Sox within 3-1, but they only managed one hit in the final four frames against six relievers.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Indians: Michael Brantley, who returned from a sprained right ankle to pinch hit Saturday night, was hitless in two at-bats. He missed 50 games before returning.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}UP NEXT
The Indians await the winner of Tuesday's wild-card game. Game 1 of the best-of-five Division Series is Thursday at Progressive Field. Cleveland will have home-field advantage over every potential playoff foe, except for the Los Angeles Dodgers, who led the majors in wins.