Player of the Game
Corey Kluber won his first game of the year and his first Player of the Game as well. Kluber threw 6 innings, allowing just 2 runs while striking out four and inducing two double plays. His final score was 4.16.
Feathers Up
While the Indians were kept from getting extra base hits, they were able to turn a few singles into something more. Jason Kipnis took two extra bases early, scoring on a passed ball, while Shin-Soo Choo, Ezequiel Carerra and Lou Marson all stole second after hitting singles. Choo was even able to take third after the ball flew into centerfield when he stole second. This is the result of a good strategy, coming into the game knowing that Anibal Sanchez does a poor job controlling runners and that Alex Avila is vastly over rated as a defensive catcher. It also shows some agressiveness from the Tribe that has been absent of late.
Brent Lillibridge even got an accidental steal in the top of the 9th on a botched hit and run, showing that maybe more of the blame for the easy running falls on Avila than Sanchez. He continued that agressive play by taking third on a short fly to center right after.
Corey Kluber has been waiting more than a month to get his first win as a starter and the Indians were finally able to stand up for the young pitcher and deliver him one.
One day after complaining that expanded rosters allow teams to use to many pitchers out of the bullpen, Jim Leyland used four pitchers to throw the last two innings. This is a positive because it makes Leyland look like a hypocrite who will do and say anything to win even if he is doing and saying opposite things.
Feathers Down
With Chris Perez gone for the birth of his daughter, the Indians have been forced to use some pitchers in situations they would prefer not to. Esmil Rogers and Cody Allen each pitched in a one run situation even though they are usually saved for losing situations with Perez, Vinnie Pestano, Joe Smith and Tony Sipp being used in clutch situations.
Play of the Game
Asdrubal Cabrera hit a sacrifice fly with one out in the 7th inning to score Lou Marson from third. This ended up being the game winning run.
Final Score: Cleveland Indians 3 – Detroit Tigers 2
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