Player of the Game
Justin Masterson won his team tying third Player of the Game of the season with his fourth win. His ERA actually increased, despite allowing just two runs, to a hefty 1.85. Masterson struck out five batters while allowing just four hits in 7 innings. His final POG score was 4.43, making it his worst win of the year from a statistical stand point.
Feathers Up
A bad hop and some hustle lead to the Indians first run as Jason Giambi scored from second on what should have been a Lonnie Chisenhall single. Alejandro De Aza completely whiffed on the ball, allowing Chisenhall to reach second, knocking in the Indians first run.
With the White Sox threatening in the seventh inning with two on and nobody out, Carlos Santana caught pinch runner Blake Tekotte out at second while De Aza was trying to sacrifice bunt. The pressure off, Justin Masterson induced an easy double play to Jason Kipnis.
The Indians had a new hero tonight as Asdrubal Cabrera came through in the clutch for the first time in a long time. With runners on second and third after a botched pick off, Cabrera knocked a single to center to score both Drew Stubbs and Michael Brantley with two outs. The hit brought his average up to .156 and the RBI were his first that didn't come from a home run. Stubbs deserves a lot of the credit as well as his prior steal of second caused the throw to second that moved both him and Brantley up a base. Because of this meddlesome base running, the Indians were able to score both the tying and the go ahead runs on Asdrubal's single.
Feathers Down
Justin Masterson had some control issues early allowing two base runners in each of the first two innings and his first home run of the season. Masterson still had a nice line (7 IP, 2 ER, 4H), but many of his outs were fly or line outs, something he generally tries to avoid.
Final Score: Cleveland Indians 3 – Chicago White Sox 2
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