Player of the Game
Michael Bourn made an impressive diving catch in center, singled and scored the Indians only run of the game, coming home from second on a two out, sixth inning single by Carlos Santana. Bourn also singled to lead off the eighth, giving a start to what looked like a promising inning at the time. With no further scoring, however, Bourn was the lone bright spot in today’s game.
Feathers Up
They were a couple of infield singles, but both Jason Kipnis and Lonnie Chisenhall stretched their hitting streaks to nine games apiece in the first three innings. For Chisenhall, it broke his career high of eight straight games which he had accomplished three times. He has had six multi-hit games during the streak including at lease two in each of his last five.
With Nick Swisher coming back within the next two days and George Kottaras now the permanent back-up catcher, there is a good chance that today was Jason Giambi’s last game as an Indian.
Feathers Down
The Royals scored their first two runs in the third thanks to a couple sacrifice flies, including one very odd one. Mike Moustakas and Alcides Escobar reached safely to start the inning off with runners at second and third. Jerrod Dyson knocked in Moose with the first sac fly to center, but Michael Bourn’s throw kept Escobar on second. After another Royals single, Trevor Bauer induced just the type of hit he was hoping for, an easy pop fly to short stop. Mike Aviles, however, fell down while catching the ball and Escobar was able to score from third.
The Royals other two runs also scored on sacrifice flies as great base running and situational hitting lead to a lot of great scoring chances for Kansas City. It is actually a positive that the Indians pitchers were able to limit the Royals to just four sacrifice flies, but the Tribe staff was simply unable to stop the Royals from setting up those innings.
The Indians had a beautiful chance to not only tie the game, but possibly take the lead down three in the eighth, but were unable to repeat last night’s eighth inning success. With no one out, Bourn singled, Chisenhall walked and Brantley singled to load the bases. Wade Davis then remembered he had a scoreless inning streak to maintain and struck out Jason Kipnis looking and Carlos Santana swinging. David Murphy was able to make contact, but grounded out to end the inning.
Final Score: Cleveland Indians 1 – Kansas City Royals 4
On Deck: Much like the Dropkick Murphys, the Indians will be Shipping Up to Boston for a four game series, starting Thursday.
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