Player of the Game
Nick Swisher powered himself to be the Player of the Game tonight, then added a single in his next at bat. Swisher's home run provided the only Indians run of the night and gave him a POG score of 3.36.
Feathers Up
Terry Francona decided to mix things up a bit tonight, most significantly switching Nick Swisher and Asdrubal Cabrera in the lineup. Swisher took to his new role as number two hitter very quickly as he hit a home run in his first at bat. This was his first RBI since July 9th and his first home run since July sixth. The move was made primarily to get Swisher out of pressure situations where he has been struggling lately.
Ryan Braun was suspended by Major League Baseball for the rest of the season today for his part in the Biogenesis scandal. While you may say, "this has nothing to do with Cleveland baseball, go back to talking about Lou Marson" it still may effect the Tribe in a roundabout way. Originally, it was thought that the Players Union would keep all the implicated players together and appeal all the suspensions as one, but with Braun accepting his suspension this season, it makes it more likely for the other players involved to be suspended in 2013. The only player in the AL Central that is at risk of being suspended is former Indian, Jhonny Peralta and it could effect the Tigers mightily if they are forced to play without their starting short stop.
Feathers Down
Overall, Ubaldo Jimenez had a good day on the mound, but Mariners' catcher Mike Zunino had his number and was able to double and hit a home run against the Indians right hander. His fifth inning home run gave the M's the winning margin after Kendrys Morales had already hit a mammoth home run to tie the game in the previous inning.
The Indians didn't have the late inning magic that propelled them to a four game sweep of Seattle in Cleveland earlier this year. In the ninth inning the Indians threatened when Michael Brantley hit a one out double, but he never made it past third base as Lonnie Chisenhall ended the game with a fly to center.
Final Score: Cleveland Indians 1 – Seattle Mariners 2
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