Roster Update: Nick Swisher has finally returned to the Indians after a successful rehab stint with the Akron Rubber Ducks and was in the starting line-up tonight. To make room, Jason Giambi coincidentally had another injury pop up, the second time this has happened this year. Giambi was placed on the 15 Day DL with an inflamed left knee.
Player of the Game
Jason Kipnis was one of few hitters to figure out Jon Lester tonight and he not only knocked in the Indians only runs, but knocked Lester from the game in his next at bat as well. Both of his hits were singles to right as he ended up going 2/4 with two RBI. Kipnis also added a stellar defensive play, turning a slick double play to end the seventh inning.
Feathers Up
Carlos Santana was unable to handle a throw that went as an Asdrubal Cabrera error in the second inning, but more than made up for it defensively with two tremendous double plays. Later in the second, with no one out and the bases loaded, Santana started a double play by throwing home, then returned to first for the second out. Josh Tomlin struck out Jackie Bradley Jr. to end the inning with just a single unearned run scored. The next inning, Santana did it one more time, snaring a line drive and tagging first for another double play.
Jon Lester produced another dominant performance against the Tribe, but a couple players were able to get through against him. Yan Gomes and Michael Brantley each had two hits and Brantley’s was just what the Indians needed to finally get on the board in the sixth. Michael Bourn had was safe on an error to start the inning and Brantley’s double, the first extra base hit for the Tribe, put runners on second and third. Jason Kipnis then extended his hitting streak to ten games with a seeing eye single that just got past Dustin Pedroia at second, scoring both runners.
For his second straight appearance, Carlos Carrasco was used in a tradition relief role, rather than as a long reliever and for the second straight time he pitched more than one inning and didn’t allow a run. This time he threw the seventh and the eighth, allowing just two singles, striking out two and inducing a double play.
Feathers Down
In a surprising move, Josh Tomlin decided to pitch to David Ortiz in the fifth with two outs and a runner on third and the veteran slugger made him pay for it. Instead of working around Ortiz to face Mike Napoli, Tomlin went right after Big Papi and Papi went ya-hd, giving the Red Sox a 3-0 lead. His line ended up being a less than impressive 5.2 innings pitched, four runs allowed (three earned) with just three strike outs.
Nick Hagadone came in for relief of Tomlin and provided none, walking the first batter he faced and allowing him to steal second before giving up a two run double to Brock Holt. Hagadone had trouble throwing strikes, leading directly to the walk and indirectly to the terrible pitch thrown to Hold. He was unable to retire a single batter and forced Terry Francona to use Scott Atchison an inning earlier than would have been preferred.
Final Score: Cleveland Indians 2 – Boston Red Sox 5
On Deck: Justin Masterson and John Lackey will match up for the second time in two weeks as the Indians and Red Sox will play game two of this four game series tomorrow night at 7:10 PM.
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