CLEVELAND — Serious about winning the World Series, the Cleveland Indians batted .500 in making a pair of major trades on Sunday.

Call it an All-Star split doubleheader.

Going all in for October, the AL Central leaders acquired All-Star left-handed reliever Andrew Miller from the New York Yankees for four minor leaguers.

The deal came less than 12 hours after the Indians had reached agreement on the parameters of a swap with Milwaukee for Brewers All-Star catcher Jonathan Lucroy. However, that trade was stopped by Lucroy, who refused to waive his no-trade clause and turned down a chance to join a contender.

“There were some circumstances that came up that made me void it, obviously,” Lucroy said in Milwaukee. “I think when it eventually comes out, everyone will understand why. I’m not going to comment on any specifics.”

Lucroy’s decision would have been a huge blow to the Indians if not for the addition of Miller, who will help Cleveland Manager Terry Francona shorten games and gives the Indians a legitimate shot at winning their first World Series title since 1948.

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“It certainly should help us a lot,” Francona said before the Indians beat the Oakland Athletics 8-0 to complete a three-game sweep. “I know when we go into New York next week, we don’t have to face Andrew Miller, which will be really nice.”

So will Francona’s ability to mix and match Miller with right-hander Bryan Shaw in the late innings before handing the ball to closer Cody Allen.

The Indians sent four minor leaguers, including highly touted outfielder Clint Frazier, to New York for the 31-year-old Miller, who is expected to arrive in Cleveland on Sunday night and could be ready to join the bullpen when the club opens a series against Minnesota.

ORIOLES: Baltimore acquired left-hander Wade Miley in a trade with the Seattle Mariners.

Miley is 7-8 with a 4.98 ERA, but he had a 3.45 ERA in five July starts. He pitched seven innings of one-hit ball in Seattle’s 4-1 win against the major league-leading Chicago Cubs on Saturday.

Seattle received left-hander Ariel Miranda in Sunday’s trade. The Cuban pitcher has spent most of the year with Triple-A Norfolk. He appeared in one game for Baltimore on July 3 at Seattle, allowing three runs and four hits in two innings.

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BLUE JAYS: Toronto lost shortstop Troy Tulowitzki to a broken right thumb, then lost its grip on first in the AL East.

Tulowitzki hit a solo home run in the fourth inning, but was hit by a pitch from Baltimore’s Chris Tillman in the sixth and left in the eighth. Toronto wound up losing 6-2 in the 12th.

ROYALS: Kansas City placed right-handed closer Wade Davis on the 15-day disabled list with a flexor strain and recalled left-hander Matt Strahm from Double-A Northwest Arkansas.

CARDINALS: Infielder Jhonny Peralta (thumb) began a rehab assignment at Single-A Palm Beach, and infielder Matt Carpenter (oblique) began a rehab assignment at Double-A Springfield.

Peralta might be ready to fill in for Diaz at shortstop beginning Tuesday, Cardinals Manager Mike Matheny said.


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