Player of the Game
Michael Bourn was the most productive member of the Tribe's offense tonight, knocking in three of the Indians eight runs on three singles. He also scored the first run of the game after walking, tallying a POG score of 5.55. Jason Kipnis also had a banner day, coming just a home run short of the cycle after just three at bats. Kipnis walked in the game later then stole second as well for a POG score of 5.50.
Feathers Up
The Indians showed their patience in the first inning and walked five times including twice with the bases loaded leading to six runs in all in the inning. Jason Kipnis had a two RBI double early in the inning that knocked in Michael Bourn who had walked and Mike Aviles who was hit by a pitch. In Bourn's second at bat he came through with a two RBI hit of his own, knocking in Mark Reynolds and Jason Giambi who each walked in their first turns to the plate.
Lonnie Chisenhall has proven time and again that he hits well against minor league pitching, so facing the Twins was all he needed to break out of a long MLB slump. He hadn't had a major league hit since May 9th before yesterday, but since the Twins came to town, the Chiz kid is 3-5 with a walk and an run scored.
Feathers Down
Corey Kluber was due for some regression after throwing two of the best starts of his young career in a row. To start the game off, Kluber allowed a two run home run to Joe Mauer, just two batters into the game. He gave up another home run in the fourth inning to Oswaldo Arcia who is already looking to be an Indian killer in the making with a .308 average against the Tribe coming into the game. Kluber couldn't have picked a better game to lost it in however, as the Indians scored enough in the first inning alone to beat the Twins.
The rest of the Indians used in tonight's game didn't fare much better than Kluber with Nick Hagadone, Cody Allen and Bryan Shaw were each at least partially responsible for runs scored in the seventh and eighth innings. Even short term closer, Vinnie Pestano was not immune as he gave up two runs of his own, including Chris Parmele's second home run of the night, while earning the save in the ninth.
Final Score: Cleveland Indians 8 – Minnesota Twins 5
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