Player of the Game
In a repeat of yesterday’s result, Asdrubal Cabrera again lead the Indians offense from the lead-off role. All of his positive POG points came during the fifth inning when he was responsible for all of the Indians three runs scored. He started with a two RBI double, knocking in Mike Aviles and Elliot Johnson, then he scored from second on a Nick Swisher single. After subtracting points for two strike outs and a double play, his final POG score was 3.40.
Feathers Up
Although he rarely gets credit for it, Carlos Santana is an above average base runner for a catcher and he proved it tonight. He did so not with steals, but by scoring from second on singles twice late in the game. First, Santana beat out a double play in the seventh and scored on a two out Michael Brantley single. Later, in the ninth, he walked, took second on indifference and scored on a Ryan Raburn hit.
Feathers Down
The Indians ended up losing this game because of out of control pitching, but the offense wasn’t faultless either. In each of the first two innings the Indians had runners on first and second with one out and neither time were they able to put a run across. While they were able to score later in the game, putting Chris Sale on the ropes early when he was a little shaky could have made a big difference in this game.
Carlos Carrasco tried something new today, treating today’s start like it was a relief appearance. He came out in the bottom of the first from the bullpen instead of the dugout and proceeded to strike out the side (with an out in the middle). Just like a relief appearance, however, this experiment should have ended after two innings. In the third, he allowed two hits and a sacrifice fly to give the White Sox a two run lead. Chicago added one more in the fourth and two more in the fifth against Carrasco before he was pulled after just 4.2 innings. While he did again show flashes of excellence, if he is going to continue being the kind of pitcher who allows a run per inning, Trevor Bauer and Josh Tomlin will be waiting nearby.
Just about the worst thing a pitcher, especially a relief pitcher, can do, is walk in a run and two different Indians relievers did so tonight. Marc Rzepczynski came in for Carrasco in the fifth inning and the usually solid reliever took a page Rich Hill’s book and walked the first two batters he faced. The second was Dayan Viciedo with the bases loaded, giving up Carrasco’s fifth run of the game. Blake Wood then repeated the offense all by himself in the eighth. Wood walked Adam Eaton, Marcus Semien, Jose Abreu and Adam Dunn to allow Chicago’s ninth and final run.
Final Score: Cleveland Indians 6 – Chicago White Sox 9
Up Next: The Indians will get a third try against the Chi-Sox hoping for a win to keep a series split a possibility.
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