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Confidence and fun a winning formula for Indians

CLEVELAND -- The first-place Cleveland Indians aren't just winning.

They're enjoying themselves, too.

So after securing their 10th consecutive victory at Progressive Field on Tuesday night, the players were in a really good mood.

Juan Uribe had a cigar in his mouth, while winning pitcherCorey Kluber conducted his postgame news conference wearing a PARTY AT NAPOLI'S T-shirt.

And next to Jason Kipnis' locker: a shrine straight out of the movie "Major League" featuring two Jobu dolls and three airport bottles of Bacardi rum.

"We're just playing with a lot of confidence," Kipnis said after the team's 6-0 shutout of the Tampa Bay Rays.

"We're showing up expecting to win. Doesn't matter who's pitching against us, doesn't matter what team we're playing. We're having fun. We're loose right now and you can see it out in the field, and that's a good way to win a lot of ballgames. We know we play better at home. The fans are starting to show up a bit -- that's nice -- and there's some good vibes going on pretty much."

The Indians have won five straight overall to move 10 games over .500.

Kluber led the way on Tuesday night, rebounding from a poor outing against Kansas City by going the distance and allowing just three hits. He struck out nine and walked two.

"We're just playing good baseball right now," said Kluber, the 2014 AL Cy Young award winner. "It's nothing earth-shattering. We're just playing pretty well in all aspects."

They're also getting contributions from everyone.

Lately, Uribe in particular has stepped up, delivering home runs in four consecutive games while Michael Martinez, Tyler Naquin and Jose Ramirez have risen to the occasion in the absence of outfielders Michael Brantley (injured) and Marlon Byrd (suspended).

"It's just fun for everybody," super shortstop Francisco Lindor said Monday. "No one wants to play the game and feel like they weren't a part of that win that day. When you win a game, everybody wants to feel like, 'Yes, I helped today, I helped the team win.' And that's why this team is so good, because you go down locker by locker and look at the names in the clubhouse, everybody can do something different."

The Indians rank ninth in baseball in runs scored (333) and sixth in ERA (3.61). Lindor (.310, 8 HRs, 36 RBIs) is having a monster year, as is starter Danny Salazar (8-3, 2.23). Manager Terry Francona has instilled confidence in his players.

Still, there is a lot of work ahead. The American League Central race is tight, with the Royals just two games behind the Indians. Cleveland has to keep it up.

"We've got a long way to go. It's good -- it's good that we're winning," Lindor said. "But we're focused on September. We've got a long way to go."